WTF happened!!!?, Why did the Von Bondies crash out? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MrFriendly · 10-09-2007, 02:55 AM

Ok, so, I've always loved the Von Bondies.

Mind you, all I'd ever heard was their second album, Pawn Shop Heart.

I was living in total utter ignorance.

Recently a friend introduced me to their first album Lack of Communication.

Holy snapping duck shit!!! This album was mind blowing. Seriously, it had balls the size of water melons. It said "This is us, we're going to make orgasmic music that's rough as guts with more blues and early rock influence than you could handle." People would have totally lost their shit if they came out with this album in the 70's.

Yet, what happened? This album got no praise, no air play, nothing.

Pawn Shop Heart comes out and all of a sudden they start to get the street cred. Don't get me wrong it's a good album. But once you seriously sit down and listen to the first album, Pawn Shop Heart sounds like contrived commercial tripe in comparison. Seriously, I can't get over how much the first album shits all over what followed. It's almost like listening to a completely different band.

Did they shy away from realizing what a seriously kick ass band they could have been? Did they not realize they didn't have to pander to the record companies and the masses to get recognized? Did they not they're own artistic genius?

It pains me, it pains me that they had such great potential that has now, and will most likely forever go unrealized.

For anyone out there who has never heard Lack of Communication, do yourself a bloody big favor and get it. You'll understand what I'm talking about.

/rant

anleja · 10-11-2007, 05:43 PM

I prefer Lack of Communication, also. Their second is very good, but yeah, slicker than I would've preferred. Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads produced Pawn Shoppe Heart, I think that has something to do with it. I love Talking Heads, but Jerry Harrison has produced some decidedly radio-geared stuff through the years.

I heard demos on their Myspace, and I hate to say it... I think Pawn Shoppe Heart is going to remain my second favorite.

BUT they're young, playing gigs, I believe they have not lost their soul. Then again, "c'mon c'mon" was sold to so many companies, not that I am accusing them of "selling out," just fearful they are gonna try to get really really slicky poppy on the next album to try for the same sellable songs...

Plus for some reason Marci Bolen is no longer in the band. Oh man, that sucks.

Willravel · 10-11-2007, 05:45 PM

I've no idea why they didn't do well. They're great.

anleja · 10-12-2007, 02:57 PM

They played a free show in my city a couple years ago, I saw them eating at a table near the bar, catered food, just hanging out... I got the nerve to go to them and get their autographs. They are very very nice people. Don, their drummer, offered me his chips. They gracefully answered all of my questions, it was really surreal hearing them talk about Jerry Harrison as a REAL PERSON (I've listened to Talking Heads since I was probably 5, in fact, I made sure that my daughter's first song played for her was their song "Papa Legba"). They gave me a sheet of paper, a list of bands playing the venue or something, the blank side with their autographs and little jokes here and there, like Marci Bolen writing something like "shake it for the ladies." Hah, they are great. Now the band is Jason, the lead singer/guitarist, and Don and two new people, I really hope their new album is good, I hope it DOES good, I hope the band gets the recognition they deserve.

My favorite song of theirs may have to be "No Sugar Mama" from Lack Of Communication. It is, like, what, less than 2 minutes long, just a perfect little song.

And when Jason gets into it he can really shred on guitar.

10-09-2007, 02:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
MrFriendly Psycho Location: Australia	WTF happened!!!?, Why did the Von Bondies crash out? Ok, so, I've always loved the Von Bondies. Mind you, all I'd ever heard was their second album, Pawn Shop Heart. I was living in total utter ignorance. Recently a friend introduced me to their first album Lack of Communication. Holy snapping duck shit!!! This album was mind blowing. Seriously, it had balls the size of water melons. It said "This is us, we're going to make orgasmic music that's rough as guts with more blues and early rock influence than you could handle." People would have totally lost their shit if they came out with this album in the 70's. Yet, what happened? This album got no praise, no air play, nothing. Pawn Shop Heart comes out and all of a sudden they start to get the street cred. Don't get me wrong it's a good album. But once you seriously sit down and listen to the first album, Pawn Shop Heart sounds like contrived commercial tripe in comparison. Seriously, I can't get over how much the first album shits all over what followed. It's almost like listening to a completely different band. Did they shy away from realizing what a seriously kick ass band they could have been? Did they not realize they didn't have to pander to the record companies and the masses to get recognized? Did they not they're own artistic genius? It pains me, it pains me that they had such great potential that has now, and will most likely forever go unrealized. For anyone out there who has never heard Lack of Communication, do yourself a bloody big favor and get it. You'll understand what I'm talking about. /rant __________________ You are not a slave

10-11-2007, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
anleja disconnected Location: ignoreland	I prefer Lack of Communication, also. Their second is very good, but yeah, slicker than I would've preferred. Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads produced Pawn Shoppe Heart, I think that has something to do with it. I love Talking Heads, but Jerry Harrison has produced some decidedly radio-geared stuff through the years. I heard demos on their Myspace, and I hate to say it... I think Pawn Shoppe Heart is going to remain my second favorite. BUT they're young, playing gigs, I believe they have not lost their soul. Then again, "c'mon c'mon" was sold to so many companies, not that I am accusing them of "selling out," just fearful they are gonna try to get really really slicky poppy on the next album to try for the same sellable songs... Plus for some reason Marci Bolen is no longer in the band. Oh man, that sucks.

10-11-2007, 05:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I've no idea why they didn't do well. They're great.

10-12-2007, 02:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
anleja disconnected Location: ignoreland	They played a free show in my city a couple years ago, I saw them eating at a table near the bar, catered food, just hanging out... I got the nerve to go to them and get their autographs. They are very very nice people. Don, their drummer, offered me his chips. They gracefully answered all of my questions, it was really surreal hearing them talk about Jerry Harrison as a REAL PERSON (I've listened to Talking Heads since I was probably 5, in fact, I made sure that my daughter's first song played for her was their song "Papa Legba"). They gave me a sheet of paper, a list of bands playing the venue or something, the blank side with their autographs and little jokes here and there, like Marci Bolen writing something like "shake it for the ladies." Hah, they are great. Now the band is Jason, the lead singer/guitarist, and Don and two new people, I really hope their new album is good, I hope it DOES good, I hope the band gets the recognition they deserve. My favorite song of theirs may have to be "No Sugar Mama" from Lack Of Communication. It is, like, what, less than 2 minutes long, just a perfect little song. And when Jason gets into it he can really shred on guitar.