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Jason Stollsteimer from The Von Bondies was left battered by Jack White on Saturday after a fight at the Magic Stick club in Detroit. White claims he was acting in self-defence, and no charges have been formerly made.
Various eye-witness statements seem to corroborate the following account:
Jason, along with bandmates Marcie Bolen and Carrie Smith, was watching Brendan Benson open at Detroit act Blanche’s album release party. Jack, who was nearby, left after a few songs, then came storming back. Those standing close enough could feel Jack's spit - aimed at Jason - hit their faces. He yelled something, very loudly and seconds later, landed a solid punch on Jason - most likely breaking his nose.
Blood splattered over the floor and covered the back of Carrie Smith's shirt. The fight carried on for a few minutes - Jack pinning Jason to the floor in front of the speakers. Brendan Benson left the stage after only four songs, and the show reached a halt. Meanwhile, Meg White sat on a speaker sipping a cocktail throughout the incident, and its aftermath.
The Von Bondies have a new single out soon. This could be one big coincidence, or a PR stunt.
The band have issued a press release in the US stating:
"Stollsteimer was violently attacked by Jack White without warning or provocation. White approached Stollsteimer, physically forcing him against the speakers, and began shouting. Angered by Stollsteimer's unwillingness to argue or fight, White spat into Stollsteimer's face and punched him in the head and face repeatedly. White then forced Stollsteimer to the ground and continued his attack until White was restrained by several crowd members."
Jack White has claimed it was self-defence. Look at the photo that the label have issued. Compare it to how he looked before. Is that believable?
Tensions between the two have visibly risen over the past year following the Stripes’ rise to fame and Jack’s break-up from Marcie Von Bondie. Jason has always appeared peeved at being in the shadow of the White Stripes (their first album was produced by Jack) and The Datsuns who supported the Bondies on tour across the world. Jason has always come across as extremely passive and non-violent. The Von Bondies have recently signed to Warners.
The pair nearly came to blows backstage at the Leeds Festival in 2002, although this was never reported. Whilst Jason is quite tall and lanky, Jack White is one big, scary MF.
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