Verbena (band)

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Verbena is an Alabama-based rock band founded in the early 1990s by high school friends Scott Bondy (vocals, guitar), Les Nuby (guitar), and Duquette Johnston (bass). Originally calling themselves "Volume". Anne Marie Griffin (additional vocals, guitar) replaced Nuby, and original Remy Zero drummer Louis Schefano joined to become the band "Shallow". Soon after, Nuby rejoined the group as drummer (replacing Schefano) and the band recorded a handful of singles and an EP for Merge Records. Soon after their first full length "Souls For Sale", produced by Dave Fridmann, was released on Setanta Records, the band attracted attention from Dave Grohl, who, as a fan of the band agreed to produce its major-label debut, Into the Pink in 1999. The album's first single "Baby Got Shot" received moderate modern rock radio airplay, and its video landed in the rotation on MTV2 in mid-year. Shortly afterwards, Griffin left the band and Johnston was replaced with Nick Daviston. Verbena became a trio and released La Musica Negra in 2003, and again received radio airplay for the single "Way Out West." They toured in support of La Musica Negra and often under the false name of, "The Alabama Boys Choir." Verbena disbanded in 2003 after their extensive touring. However, in the fall of 2005 Les and Scott each started solo projects, and they are expected to tour again. In September 2007 Scott released his solo debut American Hearts under the name A.A. Bondy on Superphonic Records