The Verse represents one part of a greater whole. A verse typically is a line of poetry or a section of a song that expounds on the thoughts, ideas represented in the rest of the work of art.

We typically play anywhere we can! Bars, coffeehouses, barns, record shops, kitchens, etc. We once got the opportunity to play with Pete Krebs, an amazing Portland, OR musician who has a huge influence on my music.

I think the internet woke up the sleeping giant that was the corporate music world. Now they need to figure out how to peacefully deliver quality music to consumers at a low price. All great music started as DIY, whether folk artists sitting on their porch or punkrockers celebrating in a sweaty basement. The internet empowers those DIY musicians and gives them an opportunity to compete with the larger labels and make their music heard around the world by anyone at anytime. Pretty exciting if you ask me.

Certainly! It would depend on the circumstances and the amount of creative control. We are not looking to become the next superstars, but embrace opportunities to have our art appriciated by anyone who cares to listen.

Jeremy Keen - vocals, guitars, harmonica, bass, drums, keys, percussion
Phil Borkstrom - guitars, bass, drums, percussion

The Verse began in the winter of 2003 as a reaction against the breakup of another great band, Seventy Two Others. This beloved coffeehouse group composed of three or four friends from Naperville's North Central College played all around the country and recorded one amazing album and an EP together in three years before disbanding in the fall of 2002.
After Jason, the amazing percussionist and all around great guy left 72, the remaining two members decided to try something new. Mike Reeb, who had previously played guitar and sang, jumped on the drum throne and new full time member Phil Borkstrom joining Jeremy Keen on guitar, The Verse was born. With a more mature, developed straight ahead rock sound, The Verse began playing a variety of shows in and around Chicago while continuing to record with friends in their basement studio. Their sound strattled the boundaries of punk, folk, rock, and even country s they draw on a variety of influences for inspiration. Their unique sound caught the ears of labels like Ground Vinyl Records, a label composed of a variety of great, independent folk artists from across the nation and Failed Experiment Records, a punk/rock not for profit label aimed at helping raise the awareness of social issues affecting the city of Chicago. Growing up on a bad mix of The Cure, Beatles, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and Led Zeppelin, these kids play whatever comes into their heads.

Beatles, Zeppelin, AC/DC, Neil Young, Nirvana, The Cure, Pete Krebs, Elliott Smith, Smashing Pumpkins, Willie Nelson, Wilco, Sunny Day Real Estate, Hazel,

San Antonio, TX
Boston, MA

guitars (some of our favorites weve used):
Martin D-2R acoustics
Epiphone Casino
Fender Telecasters
Fender Stratocaster
Gibson S-G
Gibson Les Paul

Check out
http://www.failedexperimentrecords.com
http://www.groundvinyl.com