Detroit Proud Playlist: Week of 12/15 - Special 'The Von Bondies' Edition!

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the local Detroit music scene was heading toward a new style of music that was emerging with great force. Garage rock was all over town, and one band was quickly achieving success with their post-punk, garage rock revival sound.

After going through a few name changes, including "The Baby Killers" (We're SO happy they didn't settle on that one!), in 2000, the group decided on The Von Bondies.

The Von Bondies got their first big break while playing a New Year's Eve show in Detroit in 2000. Owner of "Sympathy for the Record Industry" (an independent garage rock and punk label) Long Gone John just happened to be in the audience and took a great liking to The Von Bondies.

This was huge for The Von Bondies, as it led to their debut album, Lack Of Communication, being released in 2001. The Von Bondies went on to tour with many local rising Detroit garage rock bands, including The Detroit Cobras and The White Stripes.

For the band's second album, Pawn Shoppe Heart, The Von Bondies relocated to San Francisco and switched labels to Site Records. The album was widely successful in the US and the UK, and is still considered their most successful album. Top hit from the album "C'mon C'mon" was featured as the theme song for the American comedy-drama television show Rescue Me. It's also featured in the EA videogames "Burnout 3: Takedown" and "MVP Baseball 2004" - and in the popular games "Rock Band" and "Rock Band 2"…not too shabby.

We got the chance to speak with lead singer Jason Stollsteimer all about The Von Bondies.

Tell us your most memorable experience with The Von Bondies…

"My most memorable experience was when we played the Jools Holland Show in the UK. It was our first time on TV, and we were playing with one of my favorite singers ever, Eric Burdon (of The Animals). We also played with Blur, Wilco, and Norah Jones! It was surreal. I was so nervous that I actually don't remember playing..."

Watch the performance here!

What was your goal with The Von Bondies, and did you accomplish it?

"My goals for The Von Bondies naturally grew as the band grew...at first, my goal was to play anywhere outside of Michigan...our first show on our own was in Buffalo NYC...in 2000/2001. They introduced us as an all-girl band from Japan...it was hilarious. Keep in mind this is before the internet/Facebook...no one knew what anyone looked like in bands...until they showed up. Touring the world with 3 other people with semi-like-minded ideals was a dream come true."

So, do we have something special for you…Jason Stollsteimer has given us his TOP TEN favorite tracks for this week's playlist…check them out!

From the debut album, Lack Of Communication (2001)

"It Came From Japan"
"Cass and Henry"
"Nite Train"
"No Sugar Mama"

From the smash hit, Pawn Shoppe Heart (2004)

"No Regrets"
"Pawn Shoppe Heart"
"C'mon C'mon"

And from the third and last album, Love Hate and Then There's You (2009)

"Accidents Will Happen"
"Pale Bride"

BONUS ALBUM – From the Raw and Rare album that was recorded in Detroit's own PJ's Lager House and released in 2003…

"Vacant As A Ghost" (Listen Here!)

For more information on The Von Bondies, check out their Official Facebook page here!