AA Bondy and His Following – Spreading the Good Word at Schuba’s

As I headed to Schuba’s last week to see AA Bondy, the one man guitar and harmonica act with roots in Alabama and upstate New York, I was unaware that I was basically walking into a music based cult. The audience seemed to all know each other and outsiders were easily identified and quickly pounced upon; immediate questions included “Do you know AA Bondy?” and “Don’t you love AA Bondy?”  

Any answer other then “yes” or “hell yes” was an unintentional invitation for an intervention and I was preached to by many people about how awesome AA Bondy is. There was quite a build up for this character, such that when the unassuming man himself wandered on stage, I was somewhat underwhelmed. His audience regards him as a messiah, a god, a superior entity, but in fact he just looks like any other dude you would pass on the L train heading to Bushwick.  

Luckily, his playing makes more of an impression than he does, and it doesn’t take long for the audience to be sucked in, looking entirely spellbound. And no doubt, his guitar and songwriting are captivating, but for those of us who are less familiar with the harmonica, it looks a little silly when it’s played. Sounds great, but he sort of looked like he was making out with the poor instrument. Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to look, what do I know? 

The set opened with “No Man Shall” off of American Hearts, his 2007 debut solo album. A slow creeping start to a slow creeping night, Bondy struck an uncanny resemblance to Joaquin Phoenix as the fast falling Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. As he sang “And Lord I get so high” I didn’t have trouble believing it.  

The following songs come on, blending together in the Dylan-esque genre, and the audience gently swayed along and quietly seemed to enjoy the show, as if in a trance. It wasn’t until four or five songs in that they finally began to engage in the show and with Bondy one-on-one; specific questions and “you’re awesome”s were thrown out after just about every song.  

The audience participation continued, albeit involuntarily, as “Oh the Vampyre” was slowing to a stop and some dude’s cell phone went off. Bondy, switching to stand up comedian, told the guy not to sweat it. Apparently his mother’s cell phone once rang during a funeral, which was much worse, but much funnier for the rest of us. The hilarity was a welcome break to the somber mood, and the remaining half of the set was far more upbeat. “Vice Rag” brought out a full on stomp along. The set ended with Bondy coming dead center of the audience and essentially leading a sing along on “Killed Myself When I Was Young” one of his most popular, if not exactly upbeat, tunes.  

And now, of course, comes the encore. Sigh. With the last song performed off stage, no back stage where Bondy could run and hide, and an audience that was so comfortable with the musician, there was minimal anticipation after the closing number. Literally, an audience member just asked for more songs. And then there were more songs. Effective, if not exactly surprising.  

For the encore, Bondy stayed on the main floor, with everyone circled around singing along to “World Without End” and “American Hearts.” There was a general Kumbaya sort of feel as Bondy led the motley bunch of college to middle aged kids in song. With his disciples happily surrounding him, AA Bondy wrapped up a great set. Amen.  

*By Jesy, who has located her camera, but it is unfortunately at her second recent home, while she is at her third.

 

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