THE VON BONDIES & JOHNNY HEADBAND: HIGHLIGHTS & SET LIST!

People lined up down the block at The Paradise Rock Club near Boston University to check out Detroit's The Von Bondies on Monday night. 

Bondies' fans got a special treat with openers Johnny Headband, also from Detroit.  The two brothers, Chad (lead vox/keys) and Keith (bass/guitar), hit the stage dressed all in white, with their drummer presiding behind dressed in black.  They played inspired danced rock numbers, and it was obvious they were having an illicit amount of fun. 

Johnny Headband is so animated, they should have their own indie roxercise video.  It was nearly impossible to get pictures of them, and I swear I think I saw them get even skinnier by the end of their set.

There were smoking bass lines, nice use of a Neverending Story keyboard sound, excellent synchronized prancing, and the "point & spray" technique of hosing down the crowd with invisible guitar juice. 

After one particular bout of hysterical histrionics between Chad & Keith (I think Keith was writhing on the ground with his guitar while Chad petted Keith's long hair), Chad announced, "I don't know if we'd get away with this if we weren't brothers.  Hell, I don't know if we're getting away with it now."

It seemed they were indeed getting away with it, as the crowd of 420 happily clapped along.

Their version of "West End Girls" (adopted specifically for this east coast tour) was definitely the best (if admittedly, the only) cover of that song this blogger's ever laid ears on.  With pre-programmed beats, the drummer switched to bass, the bassist took the lead mic and the lead singer took the keys and backup vocal duties.  Oh yeah - and there was a strip tease in there too!  Bassist Keith took off his white shirt & used it to jump-rope across the stage.  It was truly fascinating.

Next came The (much anticipated) Von Bondies.  These kids cram so much rokk into 2.5 minute songs!  But when its dirtier than Pigpen, you don't need to draw it out. 

They were ferocious & brash, but somehow it was a finely honed recklessness.  Jenny took an intense pose when she sang lead vocals on "Not That Social," while Marcie's guitar screamed.  There were several "I love you, Jenny!"s from the crowd - a good sign that this newest member of the band has met with fan approval. 

I was stunned at how much energy, sex, blues and nitrate they pour into song after song.  It was like drinking Red Bull and truck stop coffee, taking ephedrine and then going drag racing. 

And Marcie's guitar chops were tighter than her faded black jeans but much dirtier than her white high heels.

After the show, the lucky & doting winners of the Meet & Greet lined up to tell the members just how much they enjoyed the show.  Members of the visceral Charms showed up as well to pay their respects.

Here's the Set List:

1. Pale Bride
2. No Regrets
3. Going Down
4. Nite Train
5. C'mon C'mon
6. Lack of Communication
7. Not That Social
8. Blame Game
9. Broken Man
10. Shut Your Mouth
11. Please Please Man
12. Earthquake
13. Tell Me What You See
14. It Came From Japan
15. Rock & Roll Nurse

What'd y'all think of the show?