NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
Bully’s (aka Alicia Bognanno) music may technically be classified as alternative rock but it’s not the alternative rock of the 2020s. Rather it’s a throwback to the alt rock of the 90s, a bit harder hitting, fuzzy guitars, and an in-your-face punk style that makes you want to mosh. The Nashville-based Bully’s fourth studio record (second since Bognanno went solo) “Lucky For You” was released in June to generally positive reviews although I had heard that it didn’t quite have the furious energy of her previous work. I’m not sure what they were listening to because this album still rocks! Are there a few tracks that bring down the pace? Yes but what do you expect of a record that is written on the back of loss? You’d expect some more introspection and melancholy rather than anger. But listen to “All This Noise” and tell me you don’t hear fire and anger? We were in for a hell of a night at Lee’s Palace in Toronto.
Opening for Bully was indie rock band Wombo from Louisville. Their set set a frantic pace that would presage Bully’s set. With Sydney Chadwick on vocals, guitarist Cameron Lowe painting with his guitar like a masterpiece artist, and Joel Taylor’s smooth and fast drumming, it seems like Wombo found every minor key and exploited them to the max. Very fun set.
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As we waited for Bully to hit the stage, the feedback coming from the speakers was already setting the scene, a growling hum that seemed to get louder and louder even though I knew that could not be the case. The audience seemed to feed off the feedback and their energy seemed to grow as well. By the time Bognanno and band kicked off their set with “All I Do” from her latest album, the crowd was rearing to go! I was anticipating some serious moshing and some crowdsurfing! But that never really materialized. Although you can see the crowd moving with contained energy, it never really erupted with the exception of a crowd of maybe ten people in the middle. Even so, their moshing was a gentle happy mosh and I could see these fans were going to be pretty chill.
The band went from song to song without pause, they played not only the entire “Lucky For You” album but at least three songs from each of their last two records for a total of eighteen!! Even between songs, there was no silence as feedback filled the empty space. I don’t think the band took a breath until Bognanno came back alone for the encore. She talked to the audience about the break in the tour and how she lost her wallet in a gas station bathroom and left her passport at home, forcing her to “stay off the grid” for a period of time. Now that she has recovered, she must pretend to be a responsible adult! She started the encore with a beautiful cover of Jane Addiction’s “Jane Says”. The rest of the band returned for the finale, closing out the show in furious fashion with “Milkman”, leaving the crowd stunned in their satisfaction. They continue to tour North America through November 1st, at which point they’ll be heading over to the UK for three shows. Catch them while you can!!
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