The Von Bondies

The Von Bondies rose to prominence as a key band in the American garage-rock movement that spread its way across the globe in the early 2000s. With a spirit rooted in the energy of punk and the rawness of the blues, they became known for their uninhibited, energetic live shows, unique two-girl/two-boy lineup, and emotionally raw songs.
The band got their initial break by playing a New Year's Eve show in Detroit, Michigan, in 2000. In attendance at the show was Long Gone John, owner of the Sympathy for the Record Industry label, who then asked the band to record an album for him. During a break from their initial tours of the US, the band recorded and mixed tracks for this record in three days with Jim Diamond at his studio Ghetto Recorders in Downtown Detroit. Sympathy for the Record Industry released this debut album, Lack of Communication, in 2001.
As word about the band and the fertile music scene in Detroit began to spread internationally, the Von Bondies were asked to play shows in the United Kingdom, and their touring schedule intensified, due to a rapidly growing fanbase in the UK. These early UK shows led to an appearance on the UK television show Later with Jools Holland and the band being asked to record two Peel sessions at BBC Radio. Dozens of festival slots—playing the Reading and Leeds festival two separate years and making a Glastonbury appearance—also followed.
In 2003, the band released a live album called Raw and Rare with their friend Steve Aoki through his label Dim Mak Records and Stollsteimer’s own label ITA Records. This same year, at a show in the Netherlands, the band caught the attention of Seymour Stein (Ramones, Madonna, Talking Heads), who shortly afterward signed them to Sire Records/Warner Bros.
In 2004, the band’s breakthrough album, Pawn Shoppe Heart, was released on Sire Records. Produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and co-produced by Stollsteimer, the tracks were recorded in Sausalito, California. With the release of Pawn Shoppe Heart, the Von Bondies solidified a worldwide following, making numerous television appearances, including two David Letterman performances, and a Carson Daly spot in the US.
Pawn Shoppe Heart reached a peak of No. 36 in the UK Albums Chart, and No. 8 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart in the US and stayed in that chart for eight weeks. The hit single from this release was "C'mon C'mon", which reached No. 25 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and garnered international radio play. The song also charted worldwide and was used as the theme song to the popular US television show Rescue Me.
In 2008, the band signed with indie label Majordomo Records. Their label debut, Love, Hate and Then There's You, was released in February 2009 and featured the single "Pale Bride”.
Live shows always being a focus of the band, the Von Bondies toured frequently, headlining tours of the United Kingdom/Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States, playing shows in Japan, taking along supporting bands like The Kills, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand, the Modey Lemon, SSM, The Subways, The Stills, the Soledad Brothers, Hot Panda, Fight like Apes, and The Datsuns.