The new millennium saw an underground musical movement erupt from Detroit, Michigan, USA, as bands such as the White Stripes, Bantam Rooster, Soledad Brothers, and the Von Bondies followed in the same high energy, minimalist punk rock direction that propelled 60s Motor City titans such as the Stooges and the MC5. The first line-up of the Von Bondies comprised Jason Stollsteimer (b. 22 April 1978, USA; vocals/guitar), Marcie Bolen (b. 28 October 1977, Detroit, Michigan, USA; guitar/vocals), Lauren Wilcox (bass), and Don Blum (drums), and originally formed during 2000. Carrie Smith then replaced Wilcox in 2001. It did not take long for the quartet to build a local buzz, as the White Stripes' Jack White produced their debut recording, Lack Of Communication, for the Sympathy For The Record Industry label a year later. The band embarked on their first European tour towards the end of 2001, opening for the White Stripes, and recording a session for John Peel's BBC radio show.
The Von Bondies' second album (Pawn Shoppe Heart) received additional publicity because of an unsavoury incident preceding its UK release in February 2004. The previous December, Stollsteimer was involved in a fracas with Jack White at Detroit's Magic Stick club which led to the former's hospitalisation. Following the album's release a flurry of personnel changes ensued, with Carrie Smith replaced by Yasmine Smith and then Leann Banks. Founding member Marcie Bolen departed in 2006, leaving Stollsteimer and Blum to continue with a recast line-up featuring Banks, Matt Lannoo (guitar) and Alicia Gbur (keyboards).
