A Verse Unsung

The Minneapolis quartet A Verse Unsung emerged as radio-friendly alterna-rock practitioners who straddle punk and emo. Their formation dates to high school, when classmates Jake Scherer and Dan Garland first began writing songs in 2005. Scherer handled lead vocals, and after bassist Kenny Fritze and drummer Aaron Gates joined, the group launched local performances in early 2006.

Rapidly building attention throughout the Twin Cities soon attracted noted producer Steve Hodge, a protégé of 1980s hitmakers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who earned a Grammy in 2001 for his contributions to Janet Jackson. The band’s debut EP, Autumn, arrived in summer 2007 on Minneapolis indie Somnio Records and was followed shortly by the full-length Sleeping Tigers.