Bully at Moth Club

Those familiar with Moth Club the nightclub would understandably question its suitability as a gig venue. It’s hot. Very hot. It’s small, it’s got booths that jut out onto the dance floor and its bar is tucked away in the corner. Not to mention the tacky décor, poor lighting and mediocre sound system. Moth club as a stage for live music was very much the same, save – thankfully – for an improved sound system. An essential improvement, considering the guest band. Bully are a new wave punk group founded in Nashville, Tennessee, a city famed for its country music rather than grunge-indie rock. 

Still considerably underground, the four-piece formed in 2013 and have a relatively small portfolio after five years. Two albums – the latest being released in late 2017 – have so far been released, and while both have enjoyed moderate success (the latter more than the former), neither has announced the ensemble to a wider audience. 

It is, however, pretty doubtful that this bothers lead singer Alicia Bognanno and the musicians behind her. This is a punk band concerned with adhering to the founding principles of the genre, and though thrill and raw aggression were evident in spades, this display was also clinical, impressive in its smoothness. Bognanno’s vocals were ragged when they needed to be, and delicate when called for. 

In spite of a rather frazzled appearance after almost an hour on stage, Bully, fresh from sharing the stage with a few lucky audience members, came back out to perform a raucous rendition of old favourite I Remember. Cue moshpits, a staple of any self-respecting punk gig. Every song was performed adroitly and with the intention of working up a sweat in the crowd; Trying almost caused a riot, whilst Too Tough and the more recent Running were played with an infectious zeal. 

Bully rocked, rolled and delivered music with punches and kicks in a display full of verve and vigour, in spite of the irrepressible heat. The dance floor was like a hot tube carriage in rush-hour, but with a lot more noise. The frontwoman acknowledged this more than once, drawing empathetic mirth when she announced: “I’m glad I’m not wearing mascara, cos I’m sweating my balls off up here.”

Jake Cudsi
Photos: Erol Birsen

For further information and future events visit Bully’s website here.

Watch the video for Trying here: