The Von Bondies assembled around 2000 in Detroit, MI. Led by guitarist/vocalist Jason Stollsteimer, the group also included guitarist Marcie Bolen, bassist Carrie Smith, and drummer Don Blum. The quartet's fusion of raw blues heartache with ferocious, gritty punk was an overnight sensation in the Motor City, where such influences seemed to float on the surface of the water. They issued a few initial singles ("It Came from Japan," "Nite Train") and word was spreading fast about their fiery live show.