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Primarily known for their post-grunge blockbuster hit "The Freshmen," the Verve Pipe formed in 1992 in Lansing, Michigan, where frontman Brian Vander Ark pieced his group together from the ashes of two local bands. He and his brother, bassist Brad Vander Ark, had previously played in Johnny with an Eye, while drummer Donny Brown and guitarist Brian Stout were veterans of Water 4 the Pool. Both bands had been local favorites throughout Michigan, which helped the newly formed Verve Pipe become a local favorite on college campuses across the state. They released their first independent album, I've Suffered a Head Injury, in the fall of 1992. Stout was dropped from the lineup in 1993 and was replaced by A.J. Dunning. The same year, the band released a second independent album, Pop Smear. Through constant touring, they developed a strong reputation and rabid following in their home state, packing large venues with converted fans and eventually selling a combined total of more than 40,000 ...