The collected works of V.E., an art-rock band based in Richmond, Virginia, USA.

The collected works of V.E.

This is V.E.'s most popular song (so far)! Thank you for listening!

If you'd prefer to spread the love on Spotify, here it is:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1CLITvKV9NyzJVRWi6Gs5e

If you'd prefer to download it (for free), here is the BandCamp link for Mending Wall Records:
https://mendingwallrecords.bandcamp.com/track/i-wish-the-best-for-you-single

I wish the best for you

Various Eggs realize that their first release will set the expectations for all releases that follow.  With this in mind, their initial E.P. reflects a wide breadth of influences.  If the next release were a horror movie soundtrack, it could be anticipated by this E.P.  If the next release were a cover of the entirety of Neil Young’s Tonight’s The Night, this could be anticipated by the E.P. as well.  And somewhere between these extremes lie Various Eggs.

Interstitial #1 (Thank You G.B.)

Various Eggs realize that their first release will set the expectations for all releases that follow.  With this in mind, their initial E.P. reflects a wide breadth of influences.  If the next release were a horror movie soundtrack, it could be anticipated by this E.P.  If the next release were a cover of the entirety of Neil Young’s Tonight’s The Night, this could be anticipated by the E.P. as well.  And somewhere between these extremes lie Various Eggs.

Lyrics:

You’re the biggest, greatest fish in this fragile shrinking pond. 
You've got that act down well. You’re the center of this song. 

And that’s so great hun, let’s put it on the fridge. 
And that’s so great hun, come to get, come tuck me in. 

You've kept yourself enabled. I applaud you for that. 
But, the act you’re keeping up has its well bored out cracks. 

You’re the biggest, greatest fish in this, but it’s such a sad pond.
It’s a survival skill. Hell, it’s worked for this long.

Biggest Fish

Various Eggs realize that their first release will set the expectations for all releases that follow.  With this in mind, their initial E.P. reflects a wide breadth of influences.  If the next release were a horror movie soundtrack, it could be anticipated by this E.P.  If the next release were a cover of the entirety of Neil Young’s Tonight’s The Night, this could be anticipated by the E.P. as well.  And somewhere between these extremes lie Various Eggs.

Lyrics:

I was in bed, half asleep, not alone, when I got the call. 
She couldn't breathe, lost her feet, she said, 
“Please, I’m about to fall.” 

Where is Superman? The Flash? Where’s the next Hulk 
when they’re all tired and lost their nerve after the bomb? 

“I can’t think, need a drink, Vicodins to steady my nerves. 
If I am the last to survive, well, what is that worth? 

Who replaces Superman? The Flash? Where’s the next Hulk 
when they’re all tired and lost their nerve after the bomb?” 

I’m to expect that I’ll feel incomplete for quite a while. 
But to get up, keep routines, face the day, even fake a smile. 

“For this too shall pass,” it’s said and it’s said cuz it’s true. 
When next they summon us all up, it’ll just be me and you. 

We’ll drag ourselves along til we find purpose anew. 
And, if that never comes, you've got me and I've got you.

Summons Us All Up

V.E. are an art-rock band based in Richmond, Virginia.  This cover of The Bee-Gees’ “I Started A Joke” is their first release since 2018.

Songwriters: Barry Alan Gibb and Maurice Ernest Gibb
Bass, guitar, vocals: Lawrence Joseph
Drums: Tricia Kupec
Mixed by Allen Bergendahl at Viking Recording
Mastered by Mark Trewella at Full Circle Mastering
Cover photo by Laura Manchester

I Started A Joke

"Angelene" (PJ Harvey cover) live on WRIR on February 22, 2014

"Kelly Clarkson" live on WRIR on February 22, 2014

Given time, you could learn to love me.
And I wouldn’t mind should you sit near me.

Given time, you might think I’m pretty.
And I wouldn’t mind should you want to touch me.

I scratch at you like a bird outside my window.
But, I’ll wait. It’s almost your birthday.

Happy almost birthday.
credits
from Five Four Girls, released November 3, 2023
Lawrence Joseph: Vocals.
Allen Bergendahl: Additional Mixing.

Five Four Girls

To Jenny

Oh, I want to care and I want you to make me care, if you can.
But, we won’t get anywhere if you claim to know the hearts of men better than I do.

Show us what was there and now we have to know that there’s nothing there.
Let us see a house and a yard. It doesn’t feel that far from here, it’s a place that we’ve been to.

Tell me something to make it real.
But, don’t admonish me.

Paint a picture: he was lying in a field content if we let him be.

But don’t say I drone bomb you.
And then you drone bomb me.

I’ve now no choice, I drone bomb you
And you must answer drone bomb me.

Sometime later I drone bomb you.
Because you drone bomb me.

It starts anew, drone bomb you.
And then you drone bomb me.
credits
from Five Four Girls, released November 3, 2023
Tricia: Drums.
Lawrence Joseph: Piano, Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals.
Kyle Lewis: Lead Guitar.
Additional mixing: Allen Bergendahl.

Drone Bomb You

What’s with these girls hovering around me?
All of these girls laughing at something I can’t see.
Tell all these girls I won’t take care of them if all these girls don’t smile when I approach.

They’ll never warm up to me.
Not this time around.
Maybe next time I’ll be so handsome they’ll be fighting about…

They’ll never warm up to me.
Not this time around.
Maybe next time I’ll have so much talent, there’ll be little doubt how much these girls really really need me and which of these girls will draw me a bath.

Tell all these girls, “stop acting like children,” or I’ll cover my ears and act like one too.

They’ll never warm up to me.
Not this time around.
Maybe next time I’ll be so handsome they’ll be fighting about…

They’ll never warm up to me.
Not this time around.
Maybe next time I’ll have so much talent, there’ll be little doubt how much these girls really really love me. Without me, these girls, they won’t be complete.

Hey, make sure these girls, they know that they’re wanted.
But, hey you, you girls, we need not have spoke.
credits

from Five Four Girls, released November 3, 2023

Tricia: Drums.
Lawrence Joseph: Guitar, Bass, Vocals.
Mixing: Allen Bergendahl.
Drums recorded at Rabid Ears Studios by Allen Bergendahl.

Lyrics:

I’ve been jonesing for you.
Cupcake don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Where were you Sunday? 
I called. I called again. I knocked on your door.
At this point, I should be able to reach you without pulling teeth.
Instead, who is that red-painted monster caught up in irrational need?

Don’t try to say something nice for my sake. Kick out the legs on which I slump.
I’ve learned to be incisive and save face.  That thrill ride has dulled its punch.
Don’t call me honey. 
Don’t talk down to me.
You used to have manners; where did they go?
When you call me honey, you’re talking down to me.  That well-honed tact, where did that go?

Hey, nobody’s drowning.  No want of a savior; stay the incident crew.
What were you thinking? A clean shirt, poof, I’m somebody new?
I’m all things bright. A smile. A wink. Come on, count me in.
Well, I’m sorry pudd'n, it’s love: ruthless, exciting and used.

 (c) 2014 

The song was produced and recorded by L.J. Rafalko and Tricia Kupec at the Birdhouse.  L.J. on guitar, bass and vocals. Tricia on drums.  Mixed by L.J. and Viking Recording/Allen Bergendahl at Scott’s Addition Sound. Mastered by Allen Bergendahl.  Artwork features a detail from “Athena Introducing the Blank Canvas” by John Murdock.

Link to download the song:
https://variouseggs.bandcamp.com/track/dont-call-me-honey-radio-edit

Links to Various Eggs:
http://www.variouseggs.com/
https://www.facebook.com/VariousEggs


Don't Call Me Honey (Radio Edit)

“Gold” was recorded by V.E. for Mash Notes Vol. 1, a compilation album of Richmond bands covering other Richmond bands.

We made a video for this song! It's on YouTube, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d_wCUNlZ3I



Words and music by Dorthia Cottrell.

Drums, acoustic guitar, vocals: LJ / Bass: Todd / Feedback: Ben.

Produced by LJ.

Mixed by Allen Bergendahl of Viking Recordings.
Recorded at The Bird House, Richmond, Virginia.
Mastered by Bryan Walthall of Stereo Image Productions.

Digital Collage by John Murdock.
Photo by Zachary Hodges.
Mending Wall Records 
Something there is that doesn't love a wall.

P.O. Box 7372 
Richmond, Virginia 23221


©2018

Gold

from I Only Have Eyes For You, released March 30, 2018 
“Your Face Is On My Wall (Instrumental Version)” (L. Rafalko) 
Guitar: Todd / Bass: Ben / Drums: Tricia / Clarinets: L.J. 

Recorded at The Bird House. 
Mixed by Allen Bergendahl of Viking Recordings at Rabid Ear Studio. 
Mastered by Mark Trewella of Full Circle Mastering, Philadelphia. 

Mending Wall Records 
Something there is that doesn't love a wall. 
P.O. Box 7372 Richmond, Virginia 23221 

©2018

Your Face Is on My Wall (Instrumental Version) V.E.

Your Face Is On My Wall (Instrumental Version)

from I Only Have Eyes For You, released March 30, 2018 

Thank you for listening!

If you'd prefer to spread the love on Spotify, here it is:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4DIunNjj1XsEZzeI8TcnKs

If you'd prefer to download it (for free), here is the BandCamp link for Mending Wall Records:
https://mendingwallrecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-only-have-eyes-for-you

"I Only Have Eyes for You" is a romantic love song by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin, written for the 1934 film "Dames." V.E. are a Richmond, Virginia based art-rock band. Their cover of the song has been described as Velvet Underground-like.

“I Only Have Eyes For You” (H. Warren, A. Dubin) 
Bass: Todd / Lead Guitar: Ben / Drums: Tricia / Vocals, guitar: L.J. 

Recorded at The Bird House. 
Mixed by Allen Bergendahl of Viking Recordings. 
Mastered by Mark Trewella of Full Circle Mastering, Philadelphia. 


Mending Wall Records 
Something there is that doesn't love a wall. 
P.O. Box 7372 Richmond, Virginia 23221 

©2018

I Only Have Eyes For You

“I Only Have Eyes For You”

Something there is that doesn't love a wall.
http://www.mendingwallrecords.com/

We have no cash. We are terrible at marketing. We have no connections. Maybe one day we’ll get our act together.