The Von Bondies

Posted almost 5 years ago

The Von Bondies, true to their Detroit roots (where they were formed around 2000), offer up a mix of raw blues heartache with gritty punk and a clear influence of such monstrously big-sounding Japanese bands as Guitar Wolf (to whom the band's first single "It Came From Japan" is an ode). After a few initial singles and fiery gigging, the band's opportunity came in the form of participation in Jack White's Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit compilation. White also produced their full-length debut Lack of Communication (2001) for Sympathy For The Record Industry (also the White Stripes' label at that time). The Von Bondies moved on to a major label, Sire, for their sophomore album Pawn Shoppe Heart (2004). (Shortly before this record's release, Jack White got into an infamous fight with the lead man Jason Stollsteimer.) The Von Bondies spent much of 2006 working on their third studio album. "C'mon C'mon," the lead single for Pawn Shoppe Heart, is all over YouTube (and MySpace of course), but since I like the debut album better, here's "Lack Of Communication" (live on Jools Holland):

This is a Filling in the gaps post.

Comments (7)

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Dale says Not to nit-pick, but wasn't the big fight around the time of Pawn Shoppe Heart's release? In any case, I'm very surprised no one mentioned this band, "C'mon C'mon" was a lighlight of 2004 for me.

Permalink posted 03/18/2007
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1234chainsaw says Dale, you're right about the fight. I made an editing mistake. I'll correct it. Thanks.

Permalink posted 03/18/2007
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Zeroskilz says I remember reading a review of this band at the time. I believe it was in CMJ. There's no way that I'll ever find the article again, but two things about it stuck in my head. The first was the amount of time the article spent talking about the fistfight. It would lead one to believe that it was the only reason that the band was ever propelled into the limelight to begin with. The second thing was that the band was receiving a lot of push by someone famous (if only I could find that article..). Anyway, they guy expected to make a lot of money off the band, as stated in the article, because the band always made him bounce when listening to them. It just seemed an odd statement. Anyway, as popular as C'mon C'mon was, it seems they never really went anywhere. I have to admit, I own the album and don't give it much attention. It'll be interesting to hear the new album though. Thanks for mentioning it. I'll be sure to look it up.

Permalink posted 03/18/2007
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1234chainsaw says Yeah, Mike, I'm not a big fan either. I listen to Lack Of Communication once every blue moon, but Pawn Shoppe Heart hasn't seen my CD player a lot. But it struck me as gap worth filling that no one had posted about this band on MOG previously. I don't know when they plan to release the new album.

Permalink posted 03/18/2007
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Zeroskilz says I do find it surprising that no one had previously Mogged it. Now that I've read the pre-history on it (read the link to Neill's post) I understand and agree. I don't think anything in my music collection could fill a gap. But then again, I own this and it was a gap until about 6 hours ago. :) I'm more worried about the gaps in my collection than Mog though! I'll let you know if I run across a release date.

Permalink posted 03/18/2007
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Mike the Knife says Saw 'em twice. Fun, but nothing life-changing for me...

Permalink posted 03/19/2007
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White and Nerdy says I'd like to fill in a gap or 2 here...the band was actually formed in Ypsilanti, MI (I know because I was there) out of the ashes of the Baby Killer and they stole the Mazinga drummer (but that's just because Don always had good sense). They never were the BEST band in the south east but I'm glad they are getting out and about. Don is still THEE best drummer to come out of south east MI (since Scott Asheton), I can recall when he was playing in about 4 or 5 bands at the same time. Everybody wanted him!

Permalink posted 03/19/2007