A.A. Bondy played a packed crowd at Brillobox this past Saturday night with Sean Bones and locals, Yankee Heat. I recently saw A.A. Bondy open for Conor Oberst at Mr. Smalls. I have to say that Saturday’s show at Brillobox definitely was my favorite. The show was small and intimate and full of Bondy’s fans.

Prior to this weekend, I had never been to a show where the entire crowd was silent during the first song of the set. Each audience member anticipated every word of A.A.’s song and promptly told anyone who was talking to stop. It was a somewhat surreal experience to see how much respect the audience had for Bondy’s music.

With Bondy’s newest album, When the Devil’s Loose, he is now backed by a full band where previously he played as a solo artist. When the Devil’s Loose continues themes from American Hearts with lyrics about Americana, vices, and spirituality. Bondy takes you on a journey through a different time and era that’s possibly from somewhere deep in the South. Bondy completed his set with songs from American Hearts that he performed solo armed only with a guitar and harmonica.

I had so much fun at this show. I was with good friends listening to excellent music – one of my best Saturday nights in a long time. Definitely check out Bondy’s music on his website and you can also download a free MP3 from one of my previous Geekstar posts.

Here are some photos from Saturday’s show:

Photo by kiDD wiDD

Where: Mr. Small’s, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale PA 15209
When: Sunday July 12, 8 PM
Price: $5 (21+ show)

Bands:
A.A. Bondy
Deep Sea Diver
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

A. A. Bondy is currently on tour with Conor Oberst, “Bright Eyes”, and the Mystic Valley Band. The tour stops this Sunday night, July 12 at Pittsburgh’s Mr. Small’s. Bondy will be performing music from his upcoming sophomore album, When The Devil’s Loose, along with songs from American Hearts.

Bondy previously was in the 90′s band Verbena which often toured under the name, The Alabama Boys Choir. However, Bondy has since migrated from his early alt-rock roots to country twang at Fat Possum Records. Fat Possum is home to blues artists such as T-Model Ford and newer artists such as The Black Keys.

Bondy, was recently highlighted on Spin.com as one of “10 Must-Hear Acts at Sasquatch Fest”. A.A. Bondy is alt-country at it’s finest delivering smooth vocals and soothing melodies. American Hearts consists of stripped-down blues and spiritually-minded lyrics. The upcoming, When The Devil’s Loose, follows with richer sound due in part to the new full band backing Bondy. However, Bondy remains loyal to his true southern roots.

DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE ‘WHEN THE DEVIL’S LOOSE’ HERE
(CTRL + Click on the Mac or Right Click to save on a PC)

NPR: “a real talent for hard-bitten blues-folk music…as well as an impressive arsenal of sneakily grabby guitar lines”.

Popmatters: “Sparse yet effective, powerful and poignant”

Pitchfork: “…an unfolding tableau…described with a troubadour’s guitar and an obsessive’s mastery of form and musical history”.

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