The Von Bondies
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Image:The Von Bondies.jpg |
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| Country | United States |
| Years active | 2000 – present |
| Genres | Rock, Garage rock, Blues rock, Punk rock |
| Labels | Sire Records |
| Members | Jason Stollsteimer, Marcie Bolen, Jenny MacIsaac, Don Blum |
The Von Bondies are an indie rock/alternative band from Detroit, Michigan.
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[edit] 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 small 2 week European tour with the White Stripes, gaining them some recognition. Bolen and White were dating during this tour, and it was their later breakup that may have fueled some of the tension between the two bands. Nonetheless, with the cessation of the European tour, the bands parted ways. The Von Bondies since have done 4 headlining tours of the UK, 2 of Australia, and 7 of the US. They also have appeared on The Letterman Show and CD:UK.
[edit] 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 Brendan Benson/Blanche concert with the female members of his band and his wife. According to eyewitnesses, Stollsteimer was watching the performance when he was grabbed by White. White started yelling at him; when Stollsteimer refused to talk, White spat in his face. Stollsteimer was pinned against the front speakers as White struck him in the back of the head and the pushed him to the floor. White fled the scene through the crowd and went straight to the nearest police station where he filed a false report stating "self defense". A patron called the police and an ambulance who took Stollsteimer to the nearest hospital, where he was found to be suffering from a detached retina. White stood trial for aggravated assault and plead Guilty to the assault charges and admitted to his false self defense claims. He was fined and made to attend anger management sessions.
[edit] Present
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 and co-produced by Jason Stollstimer of The Von Bondies.
The Von Bondies are well-known in "indie" music circles. Their single "C'mon, C'mon" is featured in the TV series Rescue Me, which uses the song (in a slightly sped up version) as its theme song.
The band is releasing their third studio album in 2007, set to be titled Love, Hate, and then there's you.[citation needed]
[edit] Members
- Jason Stollsteimer, Vocals and guitar
- Marcie Bolen, Guitar and vocals
- Don Blum, Drums and vocals
- Jenny MacIsaac, Bass and vocals
[edit] Past members
- Lauren Wilcox, bass (2001)
- Carrie Smith, bass and vocals (2001-2004)
- Yasmine Smith, Bass and vocals (autumn 2004-2006)
[edit] Discography
Albums:
- Lack of Communication (2001)
- Raw and Rare (2003)
- Pawn Shoppe Heart (2004)
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)
[edit] 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".
An extremely popular counter-strike video known as Pubmasters also features the band and its song "C'mon C'mon"
