Gourt Home::Gourt :: The Von Bondies
The Von Bondies are a garage rock/blues band from Detroit, Michigan.
Early days
Around the turn of the century, two ex-college roommates, Jason Stollsteimer and Marcie Bolen, attended a concert by Japanese rock & roll giants Guitar Wolf. At the time, Stollsteimer was working a dead-end job as a bowling alley bartender. The performance spurred the pair to create their own band, and Stollsteimer replaced his drinking habits with devotion to guitar playing. After recruiting Lauren Wilcox (who was later replaced by Carrie Smith) on bass and Detroit-scene veteran Don Blum on percussion, the band was named the Babykillers. This was changed to the Von Bondies when the former name proved to be too offensive.
While playing a handful of shows in the Detroit area, the quartet recorded singles It Came From Japan, an ode to Guitar Wolf, and Nite Train. Jack White of the White Stripes along with the Dirtbombs' Jim Diamond later produced the Von Bondies' debut album, Lack of Communication, in late 2001. It was recorded in only three days; new bassist Carrie Smith had only been with the band for three months. However, the album was an underground success with the indie crowd, and the Von Bondies soon found themselves in possession of a small but loyal fanbase.
The Von Bondies entered a European tour with the White Stripes, gaining them some well-earned recognition. Bolen and White were dating during this tour, and it was their later breakup (as well as Stollsteimer's allegations that Bolen was not "pulling her weight" during the tour) that may have fueled some of the tension between the two bands. Nonetheless, with the cessation of the European tour, the bands were at fairly good terms, and the Von Bondies found themselves becoming increasingly popular.
Confrontation at the Magic Stick
The Von Bondies, unsatisfied with the unpolished sound and production of their debut album, recorded a set of BBC performances (Peel Sessions), which were compiled into the band's live album Raw and Rare. Its 2003 release felt like the debut album the Von Bondies had always hoped for. Unfortunately, some of Stollsteimer's comments about the muddy sound on Lack of Communication were misconstrued by the media into something much more negative. These miscommunications prompted the confrontation at the Magic Stick club in Detroit in 2003.
Stollsteimer was assaulted by Jack White while attending a Blanche concert with his wife Meg White and the female members of his band. According to eyewitnesses, Stollsteimer was watching the performance when he was approached by White. White attempted to speak with him; when Stollsteimer refused to talk, White spat in his face. Stollsteimer was then pushed to the floor and received seven punches to his right eye. While White was restrained by the crowd, Stollsteimer was rushed to the nearest hospital, where he was found to be suffering from a detached retina. White stood trial for aggravated assault and was later fined and made to attend anger management sessions.Ryan, Joal (2004). "Jack White Deals with Anger" EOnline (accessed May 25, 2006)
Present
The Von Bondies received unparalleled publicity from the episode at the Magic Stick. Contrary to White's claim that Stollsteimer was exaggerating the incident to receive further exposure from the media, the other members of the band stood by their claim that they never wanted any of this "bad publicity." They also firmly dismissed any claims that they were using the incident to bolster the sales of their next album release.
The Von Bondies released Pawn Shoppe Heart through Sire Records (known for signing such artists as Madonna, The Smiths, and The Ramones) in February of 2004 to positive reviews. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads. A few months after its release, bassist Smith left the band on good terms. She was replaced by Yasmine Smith, formerly of Starlite Desperation and of no relation to the former bassist.
The Von Bondies are well-known in "indie" music circles. Their single "C'mon, C'mon" was featured in the video games MVP Baseball 2004, Gretzky NHL 2005 and Takedown, as well as in numerous television shows including the hit American drama Rescue Me which uses the song as the theme song for the show. "C'mon C'mon" was also featured in an iTunes Super Bowl Pepsi advertisement. "It Came From Japan" was featured in an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer against the band's permission.
The band is currently working on a new album, tentatively titled "Love, Hate, and Then There's You" to be released early 2007.
Members
- Jason Stollsteimer, lead vocals and lead guitar
- Marcie Bolen, rhythm guitar and vocals
- Yasmine Smith, bass and vocals (autumn 2004-present)
- Don Blum, drums and vocals
Past members
- Lauren Wilcox, bass (2001)
- Carrie Smith, bass and vocals (pre-autumn of 2004)
Discography
Albums:
- Lack of Communication (2001)
- Raw and Rare (2003)
- Pawn Shoppe Heart (2004)
- Love, Hate, and Then There's You (tentative title) (2007)
Singles:
- Nite Train 7" (With b-side Goin' Down non-album mix)
- It Came From Japan 7" (With b-side Red Head Devil)
- It Came From Japan CD Single (With b-side My Baby's Cryin')
- C'mon C'mon CD Single (With b-sides Heartlessly Hopeless and Love is Like a Drug)
- Tell Me What You See CD Single Part 1 (With b-side Suzie)
- Tell Me What You See CD Single Part 2 (With b-sides Tell Me What You See Live in Detroit and Goin' Down Live in Detroit)
Compilations:
- Surprise Package #4 (Featuring Ain't No Chimmney in the Big House)
- X-Ray CD01 (Featuring It Came From Japan Live from XFM)
Videography
Music Videos:
- It Came From Japan
- C'mon C'mon
- Tell Me What You See
DVDs featuring the Von Bondies:
- Nine Songs - Features a live performance of "C'mon C'mon" as one of the nine songs.
- Later With Jools Holland - Louder - Features a live performance of "Lack of Communication".
Notes
External links
Peel Sessions artists | Michigan musical groups | American musical groups | Indie rock groups
"The Von Bondies"