Von Bondies

Jason Stollsteimer – Vocals, lead guitar

Christy Hunt – rhythm guitar

Leann Banks – Bass

Don Blum – Drums

Straight outta Detroit, the Von Bondies consists of Jason Stollsteimer on vocals and lead guitar, Christy Hunt on rhythm guitar, Leann Banks on bass guitar and Don Blum on drums. Originally formed in 1997, the band has undergone many lineup changes as well as name changes; the Von Bondies are also known as the Baby Killers. Their big break came during the New Years Eve show in Detroit in 2000. Sympathy for the Record Industry label owner Long Gone John was in attendance, and this meeting led to their first full length album titled Lack of Communication.

In March 2004, the band released their sophomore album and major label debut Pawn Shoppe Heart on Sire records. The album reached a peak of #36 in the UK and #8 on Billboards Top Heatseekers chart and stayed in the chart for eight weeks. Since the release of Pawn Shoppe, the Von Bondies have completed 6 headlining tours of the United Kingdom/Europe, two of Australia, and ten of the United States.

For those tours the band brought along opening acts such as The Kills, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand, Modey Lemon, SSM, The Subways, The Stills, and The Donnas. They have also appeared on Late Show with David Letterman, Last Call with Carson Daly and CD:UK. The Von Bondies released Raw and Rare, a live album, through Dim Mak Records in 2003. They released Pawn Shoppe Heart through Sire Records in February 2004 to positive reviews.

Led by Jason Stollsteimer’s bluesy crooning vocals and backed by punk/garage influence, the Von Bondies area perfect example of the Detroit underground sound. After being atop the Detroit underground scene, the band attracted attention from major label Sire Records (Warner Brothers) and released a more polished album in Pawn Shoppe Heart under the production of Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), and an even more critically acclaimed release in 2009 by the name of Love Hate & Then There’s You.