Table of Contents:

1 - The Band
1.1 - Who is Venice?
1.2 - How long has Venice been together?
1.3 - How did they choose the name for the band?
1.4 - Who is related to whom?
1.5 - Are they really related to the Lennon Sisters, who appeared on the Lawrence Welk show and now headline at Branson, Missouri?
1.6 - What about John Lennon?
1.7 - How old are they?
1.8 - I've been to see Venice, and there are more than four guys up on stage.  Who are the rest?
1.9 - Some of those names look familiar.  Where would I know them from?
1.10 - What about John Vester?
1.11 - Who are the behind the scenes Venetians?
1.12 - Who are the Pine Mountain Logs?
1.13 - How did they come up with THAT name?
1.14 - Is 'Kipp' really Kipp's name??
1.15 - Who are the "Magnificent Seven?"

2 - The Music
2.1 - What kind of music does Venice play?
2.2 - I think the guys' voices sound very similar; do they interchange who sings different parts?
2.3 - So Kipp and Mark are the only lead singers?
2.4 - What albums/CD's has Venice released?
2.5 - Have any of the band members ever released solo albums?
2.6 - How can I get copies of the above solo albums?
2.7 - Has the band ever made any music videos?
2.8 - What exactly is Kipp saying during the spoken part of "All My Life?"
2.9 - How about the line that Mark whispers in "Very Real?"
2.10 - Did Venice steal the idea for "Circle of Life" from Disney's "The Lion King?"
2.11 - What are some of the cover songs that Venice has performed as encores?
2.12 - What are the songs that Venice plays snippets of in the middle of other songs?
2.13 - Who are some of the superstar artists that have made guest appearances singing at Venice shows?
2.14 - What is the band's policy on trading bootleg recordings?
2.15 - What are the different guitars that Michael uses?
2.16 - Has Venice ever published guitar tabs for their songs?
2.17 - What tuning does Michael use to play "The Family Tree?"

3 - Collaborations With Other Artists
3.1 - On what other albums have members of Venice appeared?
3.2 - Have Venice members ever toured as part of another artist's band?
3.3 - What about other movie soundtrack or TV appearances?
3.4 - Kipp sang on "The Simpsons?"  What episodes?
3.5 - Have other artists covered Venice songs?
3.6 - Vonda Shepard.  Why does that name sound familiar?

4 - Venice Central
4.1 - I Can't Get Any of the Audio Or Video Files To Play!  Help!!!
4.2 - What the Heck Are All Those Spinning Boxes?

5 - Misc.
5.1 - When Can I, Where Can I, How Can I Get all those Venice CDs?
5.2 - Where can I get more information about Venice?
5.3 - How can I contact the band?
5.4 - How can I contact other Venice fans?

Venice FAQ compiled by Mary Schultz, with additional contributions, proofreading, and editing by Lori "Senior Venetian" Burton, Cathy Grewohl , Sherry Kristicevic, Joan Oberg and Wanda Smith.

1 - The Band

1.1 - Who is Venice?
Kipp Lennon - lead vocals
Mark Lennon - lead vocals
Michael Lennon - electric & acoustic guitar, piano, vocals
Pat Lennon - electric & acoustic guitar, vocals


1.2 - How long has Venice been together?
Michael and Kipp started the band in 1977.  Mark joined in 1978, and Pat in 1980.


1.3 - How did they choose the name for the band?
The Lennon family has lived in Venice, California since 1917, when their grandparents settled there.  In fact, most of the guys' families still live there, or nearby.  Hence the album title, "Born and Raised."


1.4 - Who is related to whom?
Kipp and Pat are brothers (two of eleven), as are Michael and Mark (two of thirteen).  They are cousins to one another.


1.5 - Are they really related to the Lennon Sisters, who appeared on the Lawrence Welk show and now headline at Branson, Missouri?
Yes.  Kipp and Pat are the Lennon Sisters' younger brothers, and Michael and Mark are their cousins.  (And no, they are not the Lennon Sister's sons, despite the fact that dozens of newspapers, magazines and radio DJs have claimed this without first checking the facts.)

They're also related to the Lennon Brothers - Pat and Kipp's older brothers - who also perform in Branson.


1.6 - What about The Beatles' John Lennon?
No relation.


1.7 - How old are they?
Here are their birthdays. YOU do the math!
Kipp: 3-12-60
Mark: 3-28-63
Michael: 7-17-59
Pat: 11-9-51


1.8 - I've been to see Venice, and there are more than four guys up on stage.  Who are the rest?
The following artists have performed, or currently perform with Venice on a regular or semi-regular basis:

Michael Boehle - percussion
Martijn Bosman - drums
Nick Bult - keyboards (internationally only)
Scott Crago - drums / percussion
Dann Gillen - drums
Mark Harris - bass
Chris Horvath - keyboards
Monroe Jones - keyboards
Matt Laug - drums / percussion
Rich Mangicaro - percussion
Paul Mirkovich - keyboards
Bob Philipse - drums
Kevin Ricard - percussion
Alexis Sklarevski - bass
John Vester - acoustic guitar
Jamie Wollam - drums


1.9 - Some of those names look familiar.  Where would I know them from?
Scott Crago plays percussion and drums for The Eagles, and has also played with Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Bryan Adams, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger and Chris Isaak.

Mark Harris played bass in the band Butterfly Jones.

Chris Horvath has written songs on, produced, and played on albums by David Isaacs, Holly Long and Warren Hill, and has scored commercials for clients like Budweiser, Burger King, Coke, Coors, Dodge, Ford, GTE, IBM, Kelloggs, Kodak, McDonalds, Mastercard, MCI, Mitsubishi, Mountain Dew, MTV, NBC, Nissan, Nokia, Pepsi, Pioneer, Samsung, Sears, Taco Bell, Target, Toyota, and many, many others.

Monroe Jones has produced albums for Margaret Becker, Wes Cunningham and Chris Rice.  His work with the band Third Day won him a Grammy Award.  In 2002, he founded Universal South imprint label, Ebb + Flo Records.  The first artist he signed was Steven Delopoulos (former front man of Burlap to Cashmere), and Monroe produced his debut album, "Me Died Blue."  And, oh yeah, he's won a Grammy.

Matt Laug was the drummer of Slash's Snakepit, and has recorded and/or toured with Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Alice Cooper, The Corrs, Christina Aguilera, Merideth Brooks, Leah Andreone, Lifehouse, Pat Benatar, Bif Naked, Jim Brickman and the New Radicals, among others.

Rich Mangicaro has played with Glenn Frey, the Tubes and the Drifters.

Paul Mirkovich was the keyboardist for the band Nelson, and has recorded and/or toured with Janet Jackson, Cher, The Calling, Hanson, Meat Loaf, Eddie Money, Gotthard, Carni and Wendy Wilson, and Jeffrey Osborne.

Alexis Sklarevski has recorded and toured with Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Manhattan Transfer, Carole King and Rita Coolidge.

Jamie Wollam played drums for Steve Bertrand, Avion, The Tories, Drake Bell and Matthew Sweet.


1.10 - What about John Vester?
John is a singer / songwriter who lives in Venice, California.  He and Mark Lennon met at Hama Sushi, across the street from John's house.  Mark was immediately impressed with John's songs, and he brought them to his bandmates.

The first John Vester song Venice sang live was "You're the One," but they've never recorded that one.  They did, however, record John's song, "We're Still Here," for release on their "Born and Raised" album.

It wasn't long before John was recruited to help with Venice's songwriting.  Here's how it began:  Earlier, a friend had asked Venice to videotape a birthday message for his girlfriend, so they had taken a melody they'd been working on and quickly written joke-lyrics called "Oh Patricia," to record for the tape.  Unfortunately, the joke lyrics stuck in their heads, and they found themselves unable to write real lyrics.  So they asked Vester to have a try at it.  John phoned them in the studio the moment he was done, and they wrote his new lyrics down as he read them aloud.  Venice recorded this new song, "When I Get Over You," that day.

Since then, John has co-written many Venice songs, including "The Road To Where You Are," "Mary On My Mind," "The End of the World," "The Family Tree," "Unbreakable Heart," "Sun Inside," "I'm Not Myself," "Precious Stone," "When Your Ship Comes In," "Blue Ocean Park Waltz" and "All Or Nothing At All."  He also occasionally attends Venice's Los Angeles gigs, as a special guest musician.

If you're interested in picking up John Vester's first album, "My Heart Is In Your Hands," please send a check or money order for $17.50 (includes shipping and handling), made out to John Vester, to the following address:

John Vester
220 Grand Blvd.
Venice, CA  90291

In 2002, John released his second album, "Half a World Away," which was co-produced by Venice's Michael Lennon.  Michael sings backup and plays guitar on most of the tracks.  Mark and Kipp Lennon also contribute harmony vocals.  Audio clips can be heard here.  To order this album, please send a check or money order for $20.00 (includes shipping and handling), made out to John Vester, to the same address printed above.

John's third album, 2004's "Things I Wish I Would Have Said," was also co-produced by Michael Lennon, who once again performs on most of the songs.  Once again, Kipp and Mark sing backup on many tracks.  One song was co-written by Pat Lennon.  Audio clips are also here, and the ordering info is the same as for "Half a World Away."

You can learn more about this talented singer/songwriter at his website, www.johnvester.com.


1.11 - Who are the behind the scenes Venetians?
Marty Carrillo - set lighting designer / engineer / U.S. tour manager

Kevin Lennon (yep!  He's related - Mark and Michael's brother) - U.S. sound engineer and self-proclaimed "Band's Harshest Critic"

Pete Valenzuela - guitar tech extraordinaire and part-time bass and sax player - Michael Lennon gave him the nickname "Master of All Trades, Jack of None."

Mike Brotzen - guitar tech

Amber Guerra - U.S. tour manager / "merch girl"


1.12 - Who are the Pine Mountain Logs?
The Logs are Venice's alter ego; they perform only cover tunes--kind of like a whole Venice concert full of their encores!

The band consists of Kipp Lennon and Mark Lennon on vocals, Michael Lennon on lead guitar, Mark Harris on bass, and Chris Horvath on keyboards and guitar.  Drumming duties these days are usually taken up by Dann Gillen, but that can vary.  Pat Lennon is not involved with this side project.

Back in the early 90s, when drummer Scott Crago and keyboardist Monroe Jones were still Venice members, both were also PML members.  Kipp and Pat's nephew Joe Cathcart was involved in this incarnation.


1.13 - How did they come up with THAT name?
Once the Logs decided they were going to be a regular deal, they knew they had to call themselves something.  One night, as they were all sitting around, trying to come up with a name, Scott Crago looked over and saw a Pine Mountain Log ready to go on the fire, and suggested "Pine Mountain Logs!"


1.14 - Is 'Kipp' really Kipp's name??
Kipp's given name is Christopher.  So why does he go by Kipp?  The man himself explains:

"When I was brought home from the hospital as a brand new baby, March 1960, everyone was calling me "Chrissy," like people do with newborns.  You add an "e" or "y" or whatever to their name as an instant nickname.  Okay, so my brother Joe was 3 years old and he couldn't say "Chrissy," and kept saying"Kippy."  My brother Dan, who was ten, thought that was hilarious, and from that day on, literally my first day at home, I was dubbed Kippy, never to be called Christopher again except by doctors, teachers, cops, and my mom if she was mad at me."


1.15 - Who are the "Magnificent Seven?"
This is the name that the guys in the band coined for the Venice lineup that consists of the Lennons plus Scott Crago, Monroe Jones, and Mark Harris.  This is the band that recorded the Modern/Atlantic self-titled album and both volumes of "Garage Demos," and played live together for many years.  At that time, all seven members were equal, and all were involved with songwriting.  As opposed to the structure of the band right now, which is the four Lennons backed by a rotating rhythm section.



2 - The Music

2.1 - What kind of music does Venice play?
Venice is "officially" described as either Rock, Folk-Rock, Country-Folk-Rock, Adult Contemporary or Vocal Group, depending upon the source.  Their sound is most often compared to the Southern California sound of 1970's groups like the Eagles, CSN and Fleetwood Mac.  David Crosby describes Venice as "the best vocal group in the country, and one of the best groups of any kind I have ever heard."   The band members themselves explain it best: "We aren't re-inventing Rock and Roll, but we write about real things and we sing pretty damn good."


2.2 - I think the guys' voices sound very similar; do they interchange who sings different parts?
Occasionally, they will switch around to accommodate a particular vocal part.  Usually, however, Pat sings the high part, and Michael the low part.  Kipp and Mark trade off for the middle and lead vocals, depending upon the song.


2.3 - So are Kipp and Mark the only lead singers?
Actually, Michael sings lead on the following songs: "We're OK," "Alive Again," "All or Nothing at All," "The Road To Where You Are," "World Upon My Back," "Again," "Crazy In Love," "Unbreakable Heart" and a verse in "Oh Yeah, Oh Well."  Pat sang lead for the first time on the album "Welcome To the Rest of Your Life," with the song "Language of the Heart," then sang "Blue Ocean Park Waltz" on "Pacific Standard Time."  Preceding that, he had taken a verse or two in several songs: "Oh Yeah, Oh Well," "Under the Boardwalk," "Guennevere" and "Woodstock."  Occasionally, the band covers the song "Stuck In the Middle With You," where all the non-singing band (and crew) members split up the vocal parts.


2.4 - What albums/CD's has Venice released?
2007 - "Garage Demos Part 3 (Other Stuff)" (self released)
In These Times
Lay Me Down
Something Else
The Mermaid Song
I Swear
Crazy in Love
When I Think of You
Born with Hope
All Fall Together
Hot and Cold
The Times You Did Me Wrong
The Other Side
Take Me Far Away
Never Gonna Be the Same
This Party's Over

2006 - "Amsterdam" (Universal)
Weight Has Been Lifted
Rewind
Too Late for Me Now
Joey
Radio Game
Not Enough for You
Bittersweet Life
Ashes in the Snow
My Life is Like a Movie
The Lost Weekend
The Romance that Never Was
Jenny
One More Song

2006 - "Amsterdam Bonus CD #1" (Universal)
Medley
Easy to be Hard
We're OK

2006 - "Amsterdam Bonus CD #2" (Universal)
Medley
Katrina
O Bahia

2004 - "Pacific Standard Time" (Flow)
I'll Keep My Fingers Crossed
Cotton Candy
Alive Again
Everybody's Opium
Back to the Well
You and Me Doing Nothing
When Your Ship Comes In
Right Where We Left Off
Two Places at One Time
Blue Ocean Park Waltz
Don't Worry Worry
All or Nothing at All
Fifteen Presents
Pebble in a Pond
Happiness is the Best Revenge

2002 - "Welcome To the Rest of Your Life" (Columbia)
Think Again
Not Down Anymore
Sweet Aloha
Precious Stone
I'm Not Myself
Sun Inside
Blue Paint
Most of Us
Language of the Heart
One Word
Tides
Unbreakable Heart
Father Time
Baby's Calling (Again)
Welcome To the Rest Of Your Life
The Family Tree (Volendam version) (German release only)

2000 - "2 Meter Sessies" (Universal) (Holland release only!)
The Road To Where You Are
Always
Never Coming Back
For A Dancer (with Jackson Browne)
For A Kiss
We're Still Here
If I Were You
One Quiet Day
Landslide
Cool Me Down
Guinnevere (with David Crosby)
When I Get Over You
The Family Tree
The End of the World
Rivers Never Run
The Man You Think I Am
Woodstock (hidden track)

1999 - "Spin Art" (Vanguard)
The Man You Think I Am
Always
Garden Wall
Mary On My Mind
The Road to Where You Are
End of the World
So Bad
More of A Miracle
Landslide
Poor You Poor Me Poor Love
One Quiet Day
World Upon My Back
The Family Tree

1999 - "Christmas With Venice" (self-released)
Away In A Manger
What Child Is This?
The First Noel
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Silent Night
Angels We Have Heard On High
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Joy To the World
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
O Christmas Tree

1997 - "Born and Raised" (Vanguard)
That's the Way It Is
When I Get Over You
Never Coming Back
If I Were You
Cool Me Down
Bring on the Next One
Bad Timing Song
Starting Here Again
For A Kiss
Running Home
Rivers Never Run
Baby's Calling
Circus In Town
Time On My Hands
Oh Yeah, Oh Well
We're Still Here

1995 - "Garage Demos Part I (Slow Stuff)" (self-released)
Bad Timing Song
Rivers Never Run
Circle of Life
The Girl in 204
The Only Love I Had
Charm You
Shy Moon
Washington & Lincoln
Again
Long Fall
Comes It Now
Very Real

1995 - "Garage Demos Part II (Fast Stuff)" (self-released)
The Water
Bleeding
Circus In Town
Time On My Hands
Get Out
World Upon My Back
In July
Twenty Words or Less
My Woman
I'll Be Drivin'
My Own House
Hard Life
If I Were You

1990 - "Venice" (Modern/Atlantic)
All My Life
Sacrifice The Fool
Mr. Lonely
Change in the Season
Kaylee
Pushed Her Too Far
Time
Ocean
People Laugh
Save the Legion
Hideaway Hill
Ball and Chain

1986 - "Do It Yourself" (self-released LP)
Someday Love (Ready For Ya)
Me You're Playing With
It's Only January
Tears


2.5 - Have any of the band members ever released solo albums?
Yes.  There are four in existence:

2007 - Mark Lennon - "Dance or Cry" (self-released)
We Played Records
Everybody Breaks a Glass Now and Then
Rollin' Back to Me
Who Would've Thought
Put It in a Jar
Have I Told You That
Lonely Boy Waltz
Gotta' Be a Big Man
Can We Try Again
Don't Say Maybe
Cricket (spoken bedtime story)
Cricket
Put It in a Jar (remix)

2005 - Mark Lennon - "The Demo Sessions" (self-released)
Guardian
Only Passing Through
The Romance that Never Was
Love Come and Find Me
No Morning After
I Put My...
Swayed
Katrina
Careless
Storm
Ave Maria
You're the One (bonus track)

1999 - Mark Lennon - "Christmas In the Groove" (self-released)
What Child Is This?
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Every Day With You Is Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful
Silent Night
Hold Out Til Christmas
The First Noel
Angels We Have Heard On High
Away In A Manger
Auld Lang Syne

1987 - Kipp Lennon - "Boom Boom Party" (CBS/Sony)
Boom Boom Aleph
Be My Lady
Undercover Love
Anata No Toriko
Koi No Fire Boy
Dream


2.6 - How can I get copies of the above solo albums?
Mark Lennon's CDs can be purchased at his website, at www.markylennon.com, or at CD Baby, here and here.

Kipp Lennon's "Boom Boom Party" was only released in Japan, and went out of print shortly after its release.  So procuring a copy is nearly impossible.  But FYI, it's an album consisting of full versions of keyboard-heavy, cheesy, 80s-sounding television commercial jingles that were popular in Japan at the time.  Kipp did no writing, he only sang on the tracks.  It's God-awful, and Kipp is justifiably embarrassed by its existence.  The album cover proudly announces: "A little tip: When he finishes sing he always asks 'It's okay?' and he winks cutely!  Kipp Lennon is very cute and funny American boy!"  We couldn't have said it better ourselves.


2.7 - Has the band ever made any music videos?
Only two.  There was a video made for "All My Life," from the 1990 Modern/Atlantic self-titled album.  And more recently, the band self-financed a music video for the song "Blue Paint," from the 2002 Sony album "Welcome To the Rest of Your Life."  Americans can purchase that music video on DVD or VHS, complete with bonus features, over at our very own Venice Store.


2.8 - What exactly is Kipp saying during the spoken part of "All My Life?"
The Mysterious Kipper offers no explanation:  "The words I speak in the middle of 'All My Life....?'  Hmmm...some things can remain a secret.  It's more fun that way."


2.9 - How about the line that Mark whispers in "Very Real?"
"I want to kiss away your past...."


2.10 - Did Venice steal the idea for "Circle of Life" from Disney's "The Lion King?"
No, Venice's song was written long before Elton John wrote his song of the same title.  Venice's "Circle of Life" is actually inspired by the movie "Harold and Maude."


2.11 - What are some of the cover songs that Venice has performed as encores?
All Right Now - Free
Already Gone - The Eagles
Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Can We Still Be Friends - Todd Rundgren
Carry On - Crosby, Stills and Nash
Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley
Crazy Love - Poco
Desperado - The Eagles
Down on the Corner - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Drive My Car - The Beatles
Feelin' Alright - Dave Mason / Joe Cocker
Get Together - The Youngbloods
Guinnevere - Crosby, Stills and Nash
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Honkey Tonk Women - The Rolling Stones
I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
I Got A Line On You - Spirit
In My Adobe Hacienda - Lennon Brothers
I Want You Back - Jackson Five
Kiss - Prince
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Lean On Me - Bill Withers
Long Train Running - Doobie Brothers
Love the One You're With - Steven Stills
Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf
Message In A Bottle - The Police
My Funny Valentine - standard (written by Richard Rodgers)
Nobody's Girl - Bonnie Raitt
Ohio - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Peaceful Easy Feeling - The Eagles
Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
Reelin' in the Years - Steely Dan
Rock N Roll Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer
Scarborough Faire - Traditional (Lennon Sisters arrangement)
September - Earth Wind & Fire
Sing A Simple Song - Sly and the Family Stone
So Lonely - The Police
Stars - Dan Fogelberg
Star Spangled Banner - Francis Scott Key
Stuck In the Middle With You - Stealers Wheel
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
The Times, They Are A-Changin' - Bob Dylan
Under the Boardwalk - Drifters
We Can Work It Out - The Beatles
The Weight - The Band
What's Goin' On - Marvin Gaye
Winter Wonderland - Burl Ives
With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker version
Woodstock - Crosby, Stills and Nash
Young Americans - David Bowie
You're the One - John Vester


2.12 - What are the songs that Venice plays snippets of in the middle of other songs?
All My Life - Sympathy For the Devil (The Rolling Stones), I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (U2), Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac)

Feelin' Alright - You Can't Always Get What You Want (The Rolling Stones), For What's It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield), Take A Walk On the Wild Side (Lou Reed)

Kiss - Thank You [Falletinme Be Mice Elf Again] (Sly and the Family Stone), Papa Was a Rolling Stone (The Temptations)

Love the One You're With (Stephen Stills) / I Want You Back (Jackson Five) - Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)

Magic Carpet Ride - L.A. Woman (The Doors), Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)

Message In A Bottle - The Theme From "Gilligan's Island"

Under the Boardwalk - Time of the Season (The Zombies), Stand By Me (Ben E. King)


2.13 - Who are some of the superstar artists that have made guest appearances singing at Venice shows?
The list includes Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Eddie Money and Stevie Nicks.


2.14 - What is the band's policy on trading bootleg recordings?
The band's official position on bootlegs is determined by Michael Lennon, who is a complete perfectionist when it comes to his own work.  Unless a recording is perfectly mixed, showcasing the band as they actually sound when they perform, then he doesn't want it out there for people to hear.  Quality control is extremely important to him.  And most bootlegs, even soundboard recordings, make him cringe, because the mix for the board is different from the mix for the room, and it never sounds like it's supposed to, and never accurately represents how the music sounded in the room at the time.  So he doesn't want those recordings to be traded and distributed.  Not because he doesn't want the fans to have live shows, or because he feels like he's losing money, it's simply because when people listen to any Venice music, he wants it to sound absolutely perfect.  And bootlegs are most definitely not perfect.


2.15 - What are the different guitars that Michael uses?
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop with P100 pickups (Reissue)
Guild Starfire III - Red hollow body electric
Godin A6 electric acoustics, Black and Natural finishes
A-Davis acoustic guitar
David Crosby model Martin Acoustic, guitar #4 of 250
Fender Custom Statocaster 1971


2.16 - Has Venice ever published guitar tabs for their songs?
It's something that Michael would very much like to do, but he never seems to have the time to put it all together.  However, you can find unofficial tabs to many of their songs over here.


2.17 - What tuning does Michael use to play "The Family Tree?"
As Michael explains, "If you tune your guitar from low to high strings as follows, and then put a capo on the first fret, you will be ready to play away.  Also, other than the musical guitar intros, I play the whole song by wrapping my left thumb around the neck and sliding it up and down.  D-A-D-A-A-D."


3 - Collaborations With Other Artists

3.1 - On what other albums have members of Venice appeared?
The list is pretty long, but here goes:

Kipp Lennon:
1979  "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Soundtrack)"
1985  "That Was Then, This is Now (Soundtrack)"
1986  Victor Feldman's Generation Band - "Smooth"
1987  Martha Davis - "Policy"
1988  Jeff Healey Band - "See The Light"
1988  1988 Summer Olympics Album
1990  Billy Falcon - "Pretty Blue World"
1990  Marc Jordan - "C.O.W. (Conserve Our World)"
1991  Aldo Nova - "Blood on the Bricks"
1991  Warren Zevon - "Mr. Bad Example"
1992  Patty Smythe - "Patty Smythe"
1992  Dolly Parton - "Straight Talk (Soundtrack)"
1993  David Crosby - "Thousand Roads"
1993  Open Skyz - "Open Skyz"
1994  Katey Sagal - "Well...."
1995  David Crosby - "It's All Coming Back Now"
1995  Troy Newman - "It's Like This"
1995  Brian Wilson - "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times"
1995  Engenheirdos do Hawaii - "Simples de Caracao" (Yes, this song is in Spanish!)
1995  "Saved By the Bell" Soundtrack
1996  Jackson Browne - "Looking East"
1996  Dave Koz - "Off the Beaten Path"
1996  Warren Zevon - "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)"
1996  Michael Ruff - "Girl Like You"
1996  Roch Voisine - "Kissing Rain"
1997  Vanguard Collector's Edition
1997  The Simpsons - "Songs In the Key of Springfield"
1998  Linda Ronstadt - "We Ran"
1998  Patty Smythe - "Greatest Hits - Featuring Scandal"
1998  Mary Cutrufello - "When The Night Is Through"
2000  Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3"
2000  Judy Henske - "Loose In the World"
2000  Don Henley - "Inside Job"
2001  De Kast - "Met Andere Ogen"
2002  Gary Stier - "Albatross" (Duplicate of Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3," with one extra track)
2002  John Vester - "Half A World Away"
2002  Jackson Browne - "The Naked Ride Home"
2003  Billy Bob Thornton - "The Edge of the World"
2003  The Jeff Pryor Band - "Lover Land"
2004  Melissa Etheridge - "Lucky"
2004  Eugene Ruffolo - "The Hardest Easy"

Mark Lennon:
1988  "Scrooged (Soundtrack)"
1988  Jeff Healey Band - "See The Light"
1989  Dion - "Yo, Frankie"
1990  Marc Jordan - "C.O.W. (Conserve Our World)"
1991  Warren Zevon - "Mr. Bad Example"
1992  Dolly Parton - "Straight Talk (Soundtrack)"
1993  Michael Ruff - "Speaking In Melodies"
1993  Open Skyz - "Open Skyz"
1994  Katey Sagal - "Well...."
1995  Troy Newman - "It's Like This"
1995  Engenheirdos do Hawaii - "Simples de Caracao"
1995  Nelson - "Because They Can"
1996  Dave Koz - "Off The Beaten Path"
1996  Warren Zevon - "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)"
1996  Pop Experience - "Pop Experience"
1996  Sheffield Jazz Experience - "Sheffield Jazz Experience"
1996  Michael Ruff - "Girl Like You"
1996  "Mouse House - Disney Dance Mixes"
1997  Vanguard Collector's Edition
1998  Linda Ronstadt - "We Ran"
1998  Mary Cutrufello - "When The Night Is Through"
1998  "Winnie The Pooh: Friends Forever"
1998  "Tigger.mania"
1998  "Hidden Stars Sing Christmas"
1998  John Vester - "My Heart Is In Your Hands"
1998  Mick Bird - "Na'au"
1999  Henry Phillips - "No. 2"
1999  Phil Collins - "Tarzan" Soundtrack
2000  Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3"
2000  Judy Henske - "Loose In the World"
2000  Don Henley - "Inside Job"
2000  Suzy K - "As I Am"
2000  Holly Long - "City Girl"
2000  "La Vida Mickey"
2000  Terri DiMarko - "Pacific Ocean"
2001  De Kast - "Met Andere Ogen"
2002  Gary Stier - "Albatross" (Duplicate of Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3," with one extra track)
2002  Ozzy Osbourne - "Blizzard of Oz" (reissue)
2002  Ozzy Osbourne - "Live At the Budokan" (reissue)
2002  John Vester - "Half A World Away"
2003  Billy Bob Thornton - "The Edge of the World"
2003  The Jeff Pryor Band - "Lover Land"
2003  "La Vida Mickey 2"
2004  Eugene Ruffolo - "The Hardest Easy"

Michael Lennon:
1988  Jeff Healey Band - "See The Light"
1990  Marc Jordan - "C.O.W. (Conserve Our World)"
1991  Warren Zevon - "Mr. Bad Example"
1992  Dolly Parton - "Straight Talk (Soundtrack)"
1995  Troy Newman - "It's Like This"
1996  Michael Ruff - "Girl Like You"
1996  Warren Zevon - "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)"
1997  Vanguard Collector's Edition
1998  Linda Ronstadt - "We Ran"
1998  John Vester - "My Heart Is In Your Hands"
1998  Mary Cutrufello - "When The Night Is Through"
2000  Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3"
2000  Don Henley - "Inside Job"
2000  Judy Henske - "Loose In The World"
2001  De Kast - "Met Andere Ogen"
2002  Gigolo Aunts - "Pacific Ocean Blues" (guitar only)
2002  Gary Stier - "Albatross" (Duplicate of Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3," with one extra track)
2002  John Vester - "Half A World Away" (also co-produced)
2003  Billy Bob Thornton - "The Edge of the World"
2003  The Jeff Pryor Band - "Lover Land"
2004  Eugene Ruffolo - "The Hardest Easy"

Pat Lennon:
1988  Jeff Healey Band - "See The Light"
1994  Lennon Brothers - "Swing Away" (one of the lead vocalists, featured on the album cover)
1994  Katey Sagal - "Well...."
1996  Michael Ruff - "Girl Like You"
1997  Vanguard Collector's Edition
2000  Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3"
2000  Don Henley - "Inside Job"
2000  Judy Henske - "Loose In The World"
2001  De Kast - "Met Andere Ogen"
2002  Gary Stier - "Albatross" (Duplicate of Buffalo Nickel - "33 1/3," with one extra track)
2003  Billy Bob Thornton - "The Edge of the World"
2004  Eugene Ruffolo - "The Hardest Easy"


3.2 - Have Venice members ever toured as part of another artist's band?
Yes.  Kipp has sung as part of David Crosby's band.  Mark has toured with Phil Collins and with Cher (to whom Star Magazine linked him romantically).  Michael sang and played guitar on Stevie Nicks' "Greatest Hits" tour and has performed with Rick Monroe.  Michael and Mark together have often performed with Los Angeles performers John Vester and Michael Ruff.


3.3 - What about other movie soundtrack or TV appearances?
Venice has appeared on the Dutch show "Two Metre Sessies" four times:  In 1998 in support of their release of "Born and Raised," in 1999 to promote the release of "Spin Art," and in 2000 with a compilation of the first two shows edited together with a new interview and a new recording of "Woodstock.  Their first appearance was taped in a studio in Holland.  For the second, the show's crew spent four days with Venice in Venice, California back in April 1999, taping in-studio and live performances for the show.  David Crosby and Jackson Browne both performed with Venice for this second special.  The third appearance consisted of performances from the first two specials combined with a new interview and a new performance of "Woodstock."  Then their fourth appearance was in 2003, promoting "Welcome To the Rest of Your Life," and featured only two performances: "Think Again" and the title track.  These two tracks were the first time the band used electric guitars on this mostly-acoustic program.  In 2000, a collection of songs from the first three shows was compiled into a CD and released in Holland on the Universal label.  (See item 2.4.)

Features about the band have aired on the following national American television programs: Access Hollywood, E! News Daily, Entertainment Tonight and CNN's Showbiz Today.

The band has performed on the following television programs: Rick Dees' "Into the Night," Regis and Kathie Lee, KTLA Morning News.

Venice sang their version of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" over the closing credits of the movie "Boxing Helena" in 1993.

Venice sang their original song "Charm You" over the closing credits of the movie "Inside Monkey Zetterland" in 1992.  The song's melody was also intregated into the film's score.

Venice sang a Coors Lite jingle in 1990.

Venice performed on the pilot episode of "Star Search."  Also competing on that episode, in the acting category, was Sharon Stone.  This show never aired.

Venice appeared on the Diana Canova sitcom "Throb" three times in the 1980s, singing and acting.  They wrote their own medleys and created their own choreography.

Venice recorded the theme to the TV show "Whatever Happened to the Class of '65?" in 1978.

The Venice track "The Water" is featured on the DVD for Sony Pictures Animation's "Surf's Up."  Under special features, go to Featurettes and then choose "Making Waves."


Kipp sang "Secret Agent Man" in the movie "Can't Buy Me Love" in 1987.

Kipp is the voice of a singing cat in a Honda commercial ("I'm in the moooood for loooove......").  He has also sung literally hundreds of commercial jingles for radio and television since the 1970s.  Listen for his voice, and you'll start to hear it frequently.

Kipp sang the "Bohemian Rhapsody" spoof in the "Food Rocks" show at Disney's Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida.

Kipp sang many songs on the television programs, "BJ and the Bear," "Sheriff Lobo," "Battlestar Galactica," "Buck Rogers In the 25th Century," "Knight Rider," "Dawson's Creek," "Saved By the Bell" (providing lead character Zack's singing voice) and "The Simpsons."  He's also sung many television show's theme songs, including "The Wayans Brothers" and "Kids Say the Darndest Things."

Kipp acted in an episode of "Eight is Enough" in 1981.


Kipp and Mark sing a Jack In the Box commercial that airs every Christmas, "The holiday balls are coming to town!"


Mark Lennon sang "Route 66" in the movie "Nothing To Lose" in 1997.


Michael Lennon, Pat Lennon, bassist Mark Harris and Pine Mountain Logs keyboardist Chris Horvath all appeared in a Pepsi ad backing up up Faith Hill.  The commercial debuted during the year 2000 Academy Awards, and ran regularly after that.


3.4 - Kipp sang on "The Simpsons?"  What episodes?
#1F21 "Lady Bouvier's Lover" - Homer's father Abe falls in love.  The episode ends with a spoof of "The Graduate," so the ending credits features Kipp singing a spoof of Simon & Garfunkle's "The Sound of Silence" called "The Sound Of Grandpa."

#4F22 "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" - Playing "Drug Addict Star" in a "Betty Ford" musical.

#7F24 "Stark Raving Dad" - Homer is thrown into an insane asylum, where he meets a white man who insists he's Michael Jackson.  Jackson did indeed provide the speaking voice of this character, but was credited under a pseudonym.  At one point in the episode, his character duets with Bart Simpson on a song entitled, ""Happy Birthday, Lisa."  To this day, most Simpsons fans will swear that Jackson was the one singing, but they're wrong.  Michael wrote the song, but it was Kipp who sang it.  This recording can be found on the Simpsons album, "Songs In the Key of Springfield."  (Can be purchased on "The Simpsons: Season 3" DVD.)

#8F08 "Flaming Moe's" - Moe steals Homer's idea for a new drink, and Aerosmith guest stars.  Kipp sings a spoof of the "Cheers" theme, "Flaming Moe's."  This song is also available on "Songs In the Key of Springfield."  (Can be purchased on "The Simpsons: Season 3" DVD.)

#9F14 "Duffless" - Homer tries to give up beer, and Kipp sings "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" at the end of the episode.


3.5 - Have other artists covered Venice songs?
Shea Seger recorded "Always" for her 2000 album "The May Street Project."  (Technically, this is not a Venice song, because Venice didn't write it.  But they did record and release it first.)

Marshall Dyllon recorded "So Bad" for their 2000 album "Enjoy the Ride."

Juice Newton recorded "When I Get Over You" for her 1998 album "The Trouble with Angels."  (According to John Vester, for years, neither he nor the band were ever paid for this.  Then finally, after an eternity of waiting, a check arrived in the mail with a residual payment.  For $10.  Recently, Newton's record label went out of business, so $10 is the total payment they will ever receive for this.)

Vonda Shepard sang "The Only Love I Had" and "Charm You" in her role on TV's "Ally McBeal."

The Lennon Brothers (featuring Pat Lennon and his brothers) recorded "Charm You" for their 1994 album "Swing Away."


3.6 - Vonda Shepard.  Why does that name sound familiar?
The "Ally McBeal" phenomenon was Venice's semi-regular opening act at the Troubadour on Santa Monica Blvd. during much of the mid-1990s.



4 - Venice Central

4.1 - I Can't Get Any of the Audio Or Video Files To Play!  Help!!!
You need to download and install RealPlayer.  You can access the free version by clicking here.


4.2 - What the Heck Are All Those Spinning Boxes?
Those are explained right over here.  But in a nutshell, they're interview bites from the four Lennons, giving you behind-the-scenes stories about whatever it is on the webpage that you're looking at.  To play them, you need RealPlayer installed.  Use the link right above this entry, in item 4.1.



5 - Misc.

5.1 - When Can I, Where Can I, How Can I Get all those Venice CDs?
Our very own Venice Store now ships worldwide, and most of Venice's albums are sold here.  Digitally, you can buy many of them on iTunes.

The self-titled 1990 CD is long out of print.  But copies are pretty easy to obtain by running a search on the word "Venice" in the music category on Half.com; on the word "Venice" in the artist category on GEMM; and on the words "Venice CD" on E-bay.

Only several hundred LPs of "Do It Yourself" were printed back in 1986, and they sold out right away.  If by some miracle you're able to get your hands on one, treasure it.  It is a rare collectable.

5.2 - Where can I get more information about Venice?
Well, right here at Venice Central is a great place to start.  The Links Page can direct you to sites with even more information - check it out!  Then, of course, there's Venice's MySpace page.


5.3 - How can I contact the band?
1) You can send an e-mail to me at matt@venicecentral.com, and unless it's inappropriate or harrassing in nature, I'm usually happy to pass it along.

2) Via e-mail at: venicetheband@gmail.com.

3) On our very own Venice Talk forum, which the band checks regularly.

4) Via snail mail at:
Venice
12228 Venice Blvd., #435
Los Angeles, CA 90066

Mark Lennon can be mailed at:
Mark Lennon
P.O. Box 2038
Venice, CA 90294


5.4 - How can I contact other Venice fans?
1) The Venice Talk forum.

2) The Community E-Mailing List.  (Hundreds of members from all over the world!)
Click here to subscribe to the English language list.
Click here to subscribe to the Dutch language list.


Do you have a Venice question you'd like added to the Venice FAQ, or you've discovered something that's become outdated and incorrect?  E-mail me at matt@venicecentral.com.