|
By: Alex Borsody
AA Bondy :: 02.06.10 :: Union Hall :: Brooklyn, NY
Union Hall's concert venue sits at the end of a bar and down a set of stairs. The room was dimly lit and packed shoulder to shoulder. Pillars in the middle of the basement-like structure made it difficult to see the stage at times; there's not much to be said for the sound system or lights either. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was charming, comfortable and unique. AA Bondy went on at about 11:00 p.m. and I got there around 11:30. By then he was already almost a third of a way through his set, playing til just past 12:30 a.m. It slipped my mind that this would probably not be a long and epic concert. Rather each song was short, contained, and did not deviate much from the album version. Bondy's music was dark and brooding, with heavy riffs that sounded a bit shoegazer.
Bondy was the leader of the band Verbena in the early '90s. After the band broke up in 2003, Bondy came out with his 2007 solo album, American Hearts. He then went on to play Bonnaroo and other big festivals. Bondy's second album, When the Devil's Loose, was released September 2009. Originally from Alabama, he is now based out of NYC, playing somewhat of a hometown show.
The small stage consisted of Bondy on guitar and vocals with a bassist and drummer. The merch guy told me the show was about half songs from American Hearts and half off When the Devil's Loose. The latter is more singer-songwriter style material and American Hearts features a full band sound. At times during his solo, acoustic songs, he sounded like Bob Dylan, his gentle guitar blending well with his vocals and harmonica.
Bondy's song "Vice Rag" appeared to glamorize the use of heroin, though tongue-in-cheek humor is often hard to decipher; especially when the subject matter is addiction. Some in the crowd reacted well to the song, while others were clearly turned off. I found it a bit cliché and it just made me appreciate Lou Reed more than anything.
The show ended with the entire band engaged in a fierce jam of improvised rhythms and heated exchanges. This was perhaps the highest point of the show and actually got the subdued crowd swaying side to side. The band finished and triumphantly high-fived each other in the tiny off-stage area while people lingered around, staring sheepishly at their fellow concert-goers. There were no cheers for an encore but their hungry eyes said the people wanted more.
JamBase | New York
Go See Live Music!
AA Bondy Tour Dates :: AA Bondy News :: AA Bondy Concert Reviews
|
