http://www.freep.com/news...041222.htm

A turbulent year ends for rock's Von Bondies

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

BY CHUCK MYERS
KNIGHT RIDDER / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Jason Stollsteimer, front man for the rock band The Von Bondies, finds it amusing when the Detroit-based group is called the "next big thing."

And for good reason. The media has touted The Von Bondies as the "next big thing" for nearly four years.

"The first we got called the 'next big thing' was 3 years ago, in London with NME," the lead guitarist and vocalist recalled. "Then with Spin, we got called it 2 years ago. And then they had us the next year called the 'next big thing.' In 2004, we were just like, 'we are just the next thing.'"

While perhaps a bit premature, the hype was not without some foundation.

It's been an interesting year for Von Bondies members Stollsteimer, Marcie Bolen (guitar) and Don Blum (drums). The group released its first major-label album, "Pawn Shoppe Heart" (Sire/Warner). It also endured a few hurdles along the way, including the departure of one band member, the addition of another and the aftermath of a much-publicized unprovoked assault on Stollsteimer in a Detroit nightclub.

As a late 2004 tour with The Donnas winded down, Stollsteimer reflected on "Pawn Shoppe Heart," events of the past year and what lies ahead for The Von Bondies.

"Pawn Shoppe Heart" scored well with critics, and arguably represents one of the strongest efforts in 2004. The album served up solid sonic thrust through textured riffs, Smashing Pumpkins-like rhythms and dashes of soul spirit. Its exuberant first single, "C'mon C'mon," made inroads with mainstream listeners, and even landed on a Chevy SVU holiday sales TV commercial spot at year's end.

"You can tell on 'Pawn Shoppe Heart' the songs I wrote first, and which ones were written last," Stollsteimer said. "The first was 'Broken Man' and then 'Swank,' and last were 'The Fever' and 'C'mon C'mon.' 'C'mon C'mon' was the last song written, as a B-side, and wasn't supposed to be on the album. And it's just like I was writing catchier and catchier songs as I was going on, without even thinking about it."

The early "Pawn Shoppe Heart" buzz almost fell victim to an unexpected confrontation a few months before the record's March 2004 release. In December 2003, Stollsteimer became an unwilling recipient of a now infamous blind-side battering from Jack White of the White Stripes in a Detroit nightclub.

Riding the garage rock wave, The Von Bondies and White Stripes had toured and even collaborated on songs together in recent years. Stollsteimer believes White had an axe to grind over credit for The Von Bondies success (which White claimed), and attacked him in a fit of bitterness over the group's growing popularity.

"There's a few things that only maybe a handful of people know about, including him (White)," he explained. "The night that it happened was the night before we had a three-page spread in Spin. They were taking photos the next morning, and (music magazine) Blender. It was our promo. ... He knew that we were doing these photo shoots. He never wanted us to succeed. Ever. He said this in a million different ways, in interviews and everything, before this happened.

"And so he shows up. ... He hit me from behind. I was unconscious. I got taken to the hospital. And never sent pictures out.

"So not only did we lose our big spreads, but any press we got, which would have been about how our record got great reviews, it became three paragraphs about that, two paragraphs about the band and a photo of my face beaten."

Despite the cloud cast by the encounter over the band's new album release, praise for "Pawn Shoppe Heart" has since out-distanced the public glare of the assault. As the episode faded from the spotlight, though, a new problem emerged. Bassist Carrie Smith felt torn between the band and a desire to go back to school. In August, she decided to leave The Von Bondies and pursue a master's degree.

"She felt she could offer more to something else that wasn't music," Stollsteimer said. "It wasn't in her to write (music) so far, not in this band. And she always talked about going back to school. ... She's so smart and such a good person. Whatever she does, she's going to be successful."

To help the band with fall touring commitments, bassist Yasmine Smith filled Carrie Smith's former rhythm role.

Stollsteimer has nothing but high praise for his band mates. He notes that Blum "can put together things in drums that I can't even think of like how to highlight."

Although Bolen and Blum have made songwriting and vocal contributions in the past, Stollsteimer would like the pair to take a more expanded role with writing when the group heads back into the studio in early 2005.

"Don and Marcie both are going to be able to write songs, I think. At least, parts to them. It's not that hard to like write a guitar riff or a bass riff - making something together out of it, which we've never done."

i LOVE their song "Come On" i think it's called...i'd get their album.

dreamfactory313 said:

Very good move.

Stax said:

lol.