Bully in the Hallway
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Bully in the Hallway

Chicago, Illinois, United States | INDIE

Chicago, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Band Rock Punk

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"The Loyal Divide and their Friends: Loyal to Persistant Awesomeness"

"Bully in the Hallway went on shortly after half past nine, and while the crowd was still trickling in once their aggressive punk-rock chords rung out there was a noticeable increase in the amount of street traffic that decided to stop in for some tunes. If you like high energy and some distortion with strong backbeats this band could be for you..." - Rival Fish


"Chicagoinnerview.com Bully in the Hallway Show Preview"

Though part of me wishes they would keep their foot more firmly planted on the distortion pedal, there’s no doubt that Bully In The Hallway belt out a solid slice of rock with some serious potential. With driving guitars reminiscent of that classic Chicago punk rock sound and sweetly tortured vocals a la Murder City Devils, it’s quite clear that this is a band hellbent on creating a name for itself in the competitive rock world of the Windy City. They’ve already made the rounds playing everywhere from the Museum Of Contemporary Art and House of Blues to Elbo Room and Silvie’s Lounge — and seem poised and ready for more audience Bullyin’ in ‘08. Word has it that the band hit the studio in late February, so plan on a new batch of smart, at times melodic and in-your-face rock to come. (Appearing with Gypsy Fly at Double Door on March 13) --text: Mike Scales - Chicago Innerview


"bully in the hallway"

"...Bully in the Hallway had a fresh and funky sound that seemed almost addictive. The combination of rock music and eclectic sounds created an energetic feeling that kept the audience dancing..." - Fearless Radio


"bully in the hallway at the House of Blues 08-25-2007"

"For fans of bands like Fugazi, Fifteen, Avail and The Ghost, Bully in the Hallway is a great new addition the Chicago punk rock scene. With these bands as their influences, Bully in the Hallway combines great lyrics, fierce riffs, and an uncontainable stage presence that rocked the House of Blues in Chicago on August 25th. This surreal show drew a huge, boisterous crowd, and Bully in the Hallway is a band that deserves some recognition. They kicked off the set with “Stickin’ To Our Guns”, and then went on to play tunes like “Chicago” and many more, all of which could be immediate hits. Guitarist Billy Kenefick and drummer Matt Jannotta played with a contagious, in suppressible energy. Lead singer Matt Simon received a big hand for his performance, as did bassist Aron Levinsky. Most impressive was their solid fan base, who showed up in droves to support them. Bully in the Hallway has great potential, following in the footsteps of Chicago greats like The Lawrence Arms. Bully in the Hallway could soon join the ranks as one of the best punk rock bands in Chicago."
-Claire Schuster- - Delusions of Adequacy


"Bully in the Hallway Red Eye Feature Interview"

Bully in the Hallway is a songwriting machine.

"We've always been really quick at writing," said the band's vocalist and guitarist Billy Kenefick--a subtle statement if there ever was one. By the time Bully in the Hallway neared completion of its first studio album, the band had written enough songs for a second.

The band's roots stretch back to high school, when Kenefick played in bands with bassist Aaron Levinsky and drummer Matthew Jannotta.

Years later, Kenefick brought his old friends together with guitarist Matthew Kennedy and songwriter Matthew Simon to form Bully in the Hallway. Once together, they turned to their first task: creating original music.

Bully in the Hallway's organic songwriting process begins with what Kenefick calls Simon's "plethora of poetry," which is then adapted to music acoustically before blossoming into a complete song with the full band's contributions.

This method results in an eclectic collection, as each member brings their own musical background to the table. Jazz, folk, jam rock, reggae, classic rock and punk are all represented.

Even after heading into the studio back in December, Bully in the Hallway never stopped crafting new tunes, to the point that they now have 10 new songs besides those on the nearly completed album.

"For us, the songs on the album are old," Kenefick said. "But to everyone else, they're new songs, and I think they're going to like them a lot."

After spending nine months in the studio, Bully in the Hallway has no intention of rushing to finish their first album, which they're currently mastering.

"I don't want this to turn into a three-year album," Kenefick laughs. "But I don't want to rush it. ...

"Believe it or not, though, we want to go back in the studio soon. … I like the idea of saturation.

"We want to keep putting out music."

That shouldn't be a problem.

[ Michael Schmitt is a RedEye special contributor. ] - Red Eye (Chicago Tribune)


"Listen: Bully in the Hallway"

At first glance, a band named Bully in the Hallway from the Chicago area sounds menacing, cutthroat, maybe even mob related. Well don’t judge an album by its cover. The only thing that will throw you on the ground is their jolting sound, backed by five regular guys in pursuit of bringing rock back to the Windy City.

Their story’s fairly simple. Billy Kenefick and John Matthew Simon used to go around bars pretending to be in a band, and one day they decided to act on it. Along with some old friends, Bully in the Hallway formed in late 2006, and shortly after, the band hastily put together a demo before going live. Once touring began, Bully quickly gained a name for themselves through their bratty antics on stage, invigorating a city unprepared for the nostalgia of an older sound.

The truly refreshing aspect of Bully is their tendency to stray from the “yawn” music that dominates the indie-charts of today. (Not that there’s anything wrong with the likes of Grizzly Bear or Bon Iver; I just don’t want my entire iTunes library ending up in a sleep playlist.) This Chicago quintet is most definitely punk rock and embraces comparisons to Fugazi and other staples of the genre. Their first LP, Apples and Sunshine, aims to break ground as a fusion of punk to jazz to funk, and serves as a side dish to the outstanding live shows put on by the band for the past two years.

Their dedication to the city that brought them success is obvious in Bully’s video, “Steal the Wind it’s Free” (see below), filmed in downtown Chicago. Amongst skyscrapers and statues, Simon’s voice shouts overhead as history of an illustrious past is thrown in between — at the end of the day, they love their roots.

CoS had the opportunity to ask John Simon and Billy Kenefick a few questions about conquering Chicago, shoes, and future plans for the still-developing band:

Just starting out, what was Bully in the Hallway’s message and how has it changed throughout the past years?

Simon: We set out to capture the essence of the greats that had traversed this tricky summit known as the music industry… And we haven’t stopped since: like a whirlwind constantly writing and developing our sound, as well as honing the live show.

Between the music video and song lyrics, your love for Chicago is pretty obvious. Does Bully have a favorite place to play?

Kenefick: I’d say our favorite venue is probably the Empty Bottle, but Ronny’s is a close second…

Simon: My personal favorite, in terms of nostalgia, is the Metro (Metro Book Us!). However I would agree with Bill that the Empty Bottle is the epitomy of Chicago Indie Rock, and thus our favorite to play.

Tell us a little about the new album.

Kenefick: Apples and Sunshine was recorded at Phantom Manor with Mike Lust (of Tight Phantomz), chosen after hearing some of his work with other local bands (The Narrator, Sybris, Spiller Whale).

Simon: With our first LP Bully’s hoping to catch the ear, the eye, and the smarts of the musical world.

What’s it like playing with two guitars and three vocalists?

Simon: At first it was especially difficult since myself and bill had no formal training in singing… Kennedy helped us through that first year of broken harmonies and go-for-broke belting… As well our pal Violetness whipped me into shape with formal excercises… But as time has gone on we have adapted, harnessed, and learned how to properly execute as a tri-vocal arrangement. Plus it gives us endless possibilities, in terms of writing.

Kenefick: Having three vocalists and two guitars can be a bit hard to organize at first, but when you get used to it I feel it can bring a huge advantage and diversification to what you can write and play live as a group

Favorite pair of kicks?

Simon: Nike for bringing Punk and HipHop culture together through basketball shoes… Who would have dunked it? Although I’m not one to rock Jordan’s or AirForce ones or whatever styling of Nike, I admire the skinny jeans whose shoes out bag their pants.

Kenefick: I’d say Nike’s but I’m also into Lakai’s skate shoes.

For our Chicago readers, be sure to check out Bully in the Hallway at the Double Door’s “Rock Stimulus Showcase” this Thursday, Jan 28th for free! - Consequence of Sound


"Novem Life Feature: Bully in the Halwlay"

Persistence may lead to luck for some, but for Bully in the Hallway, their persistence and dedication to the Chicago scene are turning luck into fortune. Recently releasing their debut album Apples and Sunshine, Bully has been turning heads since their conception in 2006. Their edgy and poetic lyrics, reflective of Fugazi meets Sunny Day Real Estate, combined with their driving punk rhythms are bringing in the crowds who keep coming back for more. After a busy weekend of rocking out, Novem was able to chat with Bully frontman Simon about what’s next for these fine Windy City gents.

Apples and Sunshine is out and flourishing, how does it feel to get some of your work recorded and produced for your fans?

Relieving, satisfying… We’re thankful to finally have it out in the public spectrum, but anticipating, anxiously, the critics eye. Right now we’re holding onto our seats. So far we’ve heard nothing but positive feed back from our fans, as well as the folks we worked with on it… And so far, so good.

I must say, I really enjoy it myself. It sounds great. How was your show at Reggie’s?

Lots of fun. We always get billed with great bands when we work with MPShows. Mark Mallman was wild… Rocky Horror Jay Reatard meets Piano Man. The other two acts Late Aprill and The Melismatics killed it as well. It was a real blast. That stage is fun to play, like a level straight out of Guitar Hero. The only discrepancy was when we unveiled a new track called “Golden Bones” about 3 quarters into our set most the audience was cleared out because of curfew laws. We all looked at each other like, “Are they hating this right now?” “Let’s play harder!” We were later told why the audience was moved, much to our relief.

Yikes, the new curfew laws are a bummer for the scene, and with still talks of the promoter ordinance, things could get even worse.

Yeah, we hope that our local government is combed through and cleaned up. They are trying to put constraints, much like the sales tax hike, which will greatly effect music “tourism” and viewership. If they did like Bloomberg and cut the sales tax in half or thought about dropping that promoter ordinance, their would be a boom for those service industries. Chicago’s Machine is the equivalent of a GM Truck, when we need to be a Tesla Coup.

Any plans for touring with Apples?

Yeah, we are working on getting shows in NYC, Michigan, Wisconsin, and around Illinois right now. It’s tough in this economy, but as long as we make the right connections we’ll be alright. Right now it’s about baby steps.

Baby steps are always good and very smart at this stage in the game, especially during these times. The road can be rough, but very rewarding if set up properly. Now, I’ve heard word of a music video, but I haven’t seen anything yet? How is that going? Any chance of a quick glimpse?

Yeah, we shot it earlier this year… Our buddy Victor Grigas, who’s done some great work for Chicago’s very own HipHop Hustler Sharkula a.k.a. Thigamagig, directed it. It’s a video for our song “Steal the Wind It’s Free”. Hopefully we can get it on JBTV soon and progress from there. We are completely amused by it. It’s highlarious and informative. haha

This song is one of my favs on the album, but I can’t help but think of Scarface….you guys fans of Tony Montana?

Fuck Yes. Love that movie!

I love your song, too, and always think of “The World is Yours” from the statue is his mansion or the blimp in the sky…

haha Thank you! I never thought about that. I will have to point that out to the guys.

As Summer comes to an end here in Chicago, how does it make ya feel about the rest of 2009?

We’re super excited for Fall. Not only is it my favorite season, but it’s the time of the year for great shows. We’re just hoping to book a Halloween gig. Nothing more fun. 2009 is turning out to be a wonderful year for music. And we see it only getting better

Indeed, 2009 has been a great year for music, how much have you enjoyed it on a musical note, any artists or albums keeping your ipod or discman warm?

Yeah, so many great albums… I’ve been jamming out to some great bands… The Antlers, Dead Weather, Dirty Projectors, Japandroids, Lemon Sun to name a few. I’m really liking the new Pearl Jam album Backspacer. And techno has taking over the world in the past few years so MSTRKRFT, Deadmau5, Calvin Harris, Pretty Lights, and more have been keeping me limber.

I can’t wait for the new Pretty Lights to hit! Derek is on fire these days. How about the live music, Chicago is known for their numerous street festivals and summer events, what was your favorite performance?

My favorite performance… hmmm outside of Lolla, Local H killed it at West Fest, Junior Boys were solid at Wicker Park Fest. Menomena and Flosstradamus were sick at Do Division. My favorite sets of the Summer would have to be Diplo at SmartBar.

For non-Chicagoans, what are the top 5 things one must do while in visiting the Windy City? - Novem


"Premium Blend with Bully in the Hallway"

The members of Bully in the Hallway have no problem admitting they are a couple of white kids fascinated with hip-hop and Chicago.

Four of the five members grew up together in the city, so when deciding to make a band, finding musicians was not a problem. Despite not wanting to fall under a certain genre, indie-rock is the way Bully in the Hallway would best like to be labeled.
Courtesy BULLY IN THE HALLWAY
Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Matthew Kennedy, guitarist/vocalist Billy Kenefick, drummer Matthew Jannotta, bassist Aaron Levinsky and vocalist John Matthew Simon, the next big step for the band is releasing their first album, Apples and Sunshine.

The Chronicle caught up with Simon to discuss the struggles of having a band in this economy, what they sing about and the influences behind Apples and Sunshine.

The Chronicle: How did you realize you wanted to start a band?
John Matthew Simon: Billy and I would go around and lie to people at bars and have fun with it. We would be like, “Yeah we’re in a band,” and just make up names, and then he was like, “Wait, we should actually start a band. We might as well. I write music all the time by myself, and you write poetry.” We needed an after-work activity, so that’s why we started the band.

What have been some of your struggles so far?
Shows produce money, but that’s just enough to pay rent and such. Our struggle has been financially, but it takes care of itself over time. Getting our album out has been really frustrating. We’re on the brink of doing it, but it should be out in the end of March.

What bands do you look up to?
The Beatles; we have a poster of them overlooking us at every practice and a lot of the Chicago bands [like] Alkaline Trio, Rise Against and Smashing Pumpkins. A unique part of our band is that our bass player has a jazz background, and he listens to reggae. Every time we write a song someone is putting a unique perspective on the music, so it gives it its own sort of drive.

What was your influence for ‘Apples & Sunshine?’
We have this mindset of trying to be [ourselves] and, at the same time, representing our city. Our album doesn’t only represent us, but also the Midwest and Chicago. We always have felt that we were overlooked, and being the second city pushed under by LA and New York. The album title aims at that, and we were like “Hey New York and LA, we do exist, and we can do it better than you.” That was our way of being Midwesterners and being overlooked.

What do you sing about?
From daily struggles, social interaction to dealing with losing loved ones, our topics are all over the place-but mostly about life, death and fun.


What are your shows like?
We try to be as lively and moving as possible, even if it’s a small stage. We want everyone to have fun and [be] energetic. We’re not trying to be too serious and sit up there and preach to people. It’s more about having fun and enjoying the moment.


What are your plans for this year?
We’re trying to sneak into SXSW, but I don’t know if that will happen. We’re going to try to get around and play some shows in New York and the East Coast and all around the Midwest.

Bully in the Hallway’s next show is on March 22 at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave. To hear some tracks from Apples and Sunshine, visit Myspace.com/BullyintheHallway. - Columbia Chronicle, Columbia University Chicago


"Veoba Sounds Good Featured Artist: Bully in the Hallway"

Back in college I once told a girl I was a direct heir to the Pepsi-Cola Empire, and that the only reason I was enrolled at a third rate public school was to build “character”. It wasn’t believable. I knew it, the girl knew it. No way in hell a kid looking to inherit a trust fun equaling the GNP of a mid-sized nation-state would attend a shitty university in Brew City. It was a little lie that resulted in a few laughs and an empty bed. It’s cool though, I’ve always been more of a Coke guy anyways.

Now an intelligent person would’ve fabricated a more plausible farce. Like being a published author, or playing in a band. You know, something that could actually be true.

Despite getting drunk and laughing it up at local dives, Billy Kenefick and John Matthew Simon are apparently, more intelligent than I. Taking a more believable approach, ”Billy and I would go to bars and lie to people about being in a band–using different names just to have some fun,” lead singer Matt Simon said. “So we finally decided we had talked enough and it was time for action.”*

The duo, two fifths of Chicago’s Bully in the Hallway, began penning songs in late 2006 and later fleshed out the effort with long time friends Matthew Jannotta, Matthew Kennedy, and Aaron Levinsky. Live shows quickly followed, along with touring and a well received debut LP entitled Apples and Sunshine, released in July of ’09. Jump down to find out more, along with a Q/A with the band.

Unadorned and unapologetic, Bully in the Hallway is an indie rock band with love for the Midwest sound. With robust boldness evident in both lyrics and show, the five guys who form the diligent outfit create bratty, quintessential Windy City rock’n’roll. On “Chicago” (taken from Apples and Sunshine), Simon sings just as much as he boasts, “I am a vagrant, an ashtray for the wicked. I am a tyrant, a man that you don’t fuck with.” Words that not only embody the city of big shoulders, but the band themselves. And while comparisons to Fugazi and other punk rock staples can be applied truthfully, their sound stems from a healthy concentrate of punk, jazz, funk, and metal. It’s all brash guitar with driving punk rhythms. Meaning Bully in the Hallway is heavy on the substance, light on the frills. Just what the Chicago punk scene craves.

Coming on the heels of last year’s debut, the five guys aren’t looking to slow down any time soon. Spring saw the band record a new EP with Mike Lust of Tight Phantomz (engineer of Apples and Sunshine) and they’re just about to play a show with Shot Baker and Chicago legends, the Smoking Popes (Saturday, May 29th @ Lincoln Hall).

Recently, VEOBA’s own Emily S. had band members Matt Simon and Billy Kenefick answer a few questions about the group’s sound, inspiration, and musical guilty pleasures.

From Bully in the Hallway’s inception in late 2006 until now, have you heard a change in the group’s music?

Simon (lead vocals) – We certainly have seen an upswing in our maturation as musicians and performers. Musically I think we are constantly exploring; our thirst is never satisfied. As Billy has said before, we believe in saturation. Although one major change is we are no longer trying to overcomplicate by overcompensating for one element over another.

Billy (guitar) - Sure, at least I am hoping it does. But I think that our sound and music at the same time is getting more focused. But as we get better at playing together, I am hoping we can add new textures, feels and styles to our music. I do enjoy using familiar tones/feels to create a new style, however. But at the end of the line, I just personally want to create music that is interesting.

Speaking of new textures and styles, where do you pull your inspiration from?

Simon – As a lyricist, my inspiration is swirling all around me. Living in a big city there are endless topics and viewpoints.

Billy - I just try to listen to as much music as possible! Although I’ve been getting into Lala and Pandora as ways to find new music, I still love buying actual CD’s – I have piles of them.

Any musical guilty pleasures you’d like to tell us about?

Billy – British Drum n’ Bass. I love it, especially anything from Hospital Records. Although I go in phases for it. It’s great to work and drive to. I wish I could make beats….

Simon – Hmmmm… This is tough. I get a handful of laughs when I say I’m a Paramore fan, but I have this unequalled affinity for girls in rock. Especially front women. Whether it’s Land of Talk, Sybris, The Kills, Sleigh Bells, Metric, Florence and the Machine, The Sounds, or my new find Ume from Austin (who are killer). For me, female rock bravado is unmatched. It’s a poetic perspective long lost to the pop charts. Hopefully with the likes of Dead Weather’s Alison Mosshart we’ll see resurgence.

You can have your pick of future collaborators. Who would it be and why?

Simon – From a producer perspective, Butch Vig. He is a Midwesterner and a master of his craft. As far as musicians, I would love to collaborate with Lady Gaga, I have some pop gold she may be interested in prospecting.

Billy – Jim Eno or Britt Daniel of Spoon because they’re my musical heroes and they have a golden touch.

The internet has affected the way bands (and people in general) communicate. What methods do you utilize to promote your band and are you satisfies with the results?

Billy - We love the Internet. It’s fast, mostly free and you can utilize it any time. We definitely are getting better at putting feet on the ground however, but sometimes we are victims of our own environment. Meaning that sometimes flyering around Chicago at 10pm after practice in February isn’t too appealing. As of late, I’d say resurgence in music blogs and twitter is helping everyone.

Simon – Social networks are great and all, and we’ve seen some opportunities from them, but at the end of the day it’s about persistence on every level, from emails for booking/pr to guerilla marketing. It’s really about networking and building friendships. A digital acquaintance can only get you so far. Human contact is the most viable and reliable source.

Be sure to catch Bully in the Hallway at Lincoln Theater this Saturday (buy tickets here), watch their video for “Steal the Wind It’s Free” below and download their new “Advice” EP for free on their website. One can also stay up-to-date by checking in on the guy’s blogspot. - Veoba, Inc.


"Metromix Q&A: Bully in the Hallway"

Local Q&A: Bully in the Hallway
Energy, booze and a pantsless drummer contribute to Bully in the Hallway’s good time
By Matt Pais
Metromix
July 14, 2009

Why should exhausted Pitchfork attendees head to Double Door Saturday night for local rockers Bully in the Hallway’s CD release show?

“‘Cause they don’t serve whiskey at Pitchfork,” says Bully frontman John Matthew Simon.

Sure, that’s one reason. But it’s also a chance to catch a fully rockin’ band (who expects to go on around 11 p.m.), whose full-length debut, “Apples and Sunshine,” veers from driving punk to gentler, restrained to forceful declarations of hometown pride. In concert, says Bucktown resident Simon, 25, the band is moving at all times and hopes audiences will dance along. “We always try to emphasize that our show is like a blackout,” he says. “You never know exactly what’s going to happen.”

Your music gives people reasons to think you’re wild and reasons to think you’re laidback. Tell me about your after-parties.
We’re pretty much wild and crazy. We’re Midwest kids and we’re mostly Irish, so … we just like having fun, no matter what it is. If it’s just great conversation, or if it’s shot-gunning beers, it’s just really [about] the people around us. We just try to make the party as fun, safe and—I don’t want to use the word “responsible”—just as fun as it can be.

What happens at the end of the night—on a good night and a bad night?
On a good night, our guitarist Matt [Kennedy]—who’s been sober for about two years now—drives everyone home consciously while they’re conscious. On a bad night he drives them home while they’re unconscious. But other than that, on a good night we finish a bottle of Jameson, and on a bad night we finish a bottle of Jameson.

How do you describe your sound in five words or less?
I always like to say it’s champagne rock: We pop and we fizzle. People are like, “You’re power-punk,” or “Power punk with a little bit of mellow jams.” That’s why I always liked the term champagne rock because it doesn’t really mean anything. It’s not a genre yet, but we can make it our own.

How excited are you to have “Apples and Sunshine” coming out?
I’m exhaustingly excited. I feel like we finally will achieve not the respect, but the notoriety in the Chicago scene. I always compare [Chicago’s scene] to high school. There’s a cool kids table, and you have to try to work your way through it. One of the badges of getting to that table is having an album out. The second the album drops I think the album will turn heads and people will start taking notice.

If you’re about to step up to the cool kids’ table, where were you before?
To be cliche, we’ve been in the hallway. We’ve just been kinda lingering.

What’s something Bully in the Hallway does when no one’s looking?
Acting astute and trying to be intellectual.

Never in public?
Never in public. People don’t want their musicians to be intelligent.

What do they want them to be?
Wild, crazy and there to have a good time.

I hear that your drummer [Matt Jannotta] sometimes forgets to wear pants?
Yeah, he never wears pants. I think it’s an affliction. We call him “The Wild Italian.” I live with him; he barely wears pants anyways.

Is that something you guys have all tried, or do you have to be a drummer to pull that off?
No, I think you have to be a drummer to pull that off. I hope one time in my life I will play in my underwear.

Make it happen!
Yeah, I just don’t know if the jumping around and flopping would be that appropriate.

Matt Pais is the metromix music and movies producer.

mpais@tribune.com - Metromix Chicago


"Chicago Tribune Red Eye ChiTunes Web Feature: Bully in the Hallway"

y Matt Kuhnen
For RedEye

Chicago rock band Bully in the Hallway started out as a series of little white lies.

"Billy [Kenefick, guitar] and I would go to bars and lie to people about being in a band--using different names just to have some fun," lead singer Matt Simon said. "So we finally decided we had talked enough and it was time for action."

Soon after assembling a full band, Simon and long-time friend Matt Kennedy started writing music inspired from classic rock and edgy Midwest punk bands. Fast forward two years, and Bully in the Hallway is set to release its debut album, "Apples and Sunshine."

RedEye recently chatted with band members Simon, Kennedy and drummer Matt Jannotta about their work and upcoming record release party.
Does the name Bully in the Hallway carry any significance?

Matt Simon: We had thought of band names before, but nothing really stuck to us. A lot of times the Midwest gets overlooked and you have to be a "bully" in this music scene to get anywhere. It really represents our attitude and the sound of our music.

What's the craziest thing that's happened to the band?

Matt Kennedy (guitar/vocals): The last time we played at The Double Door a friend who has a prosthetic leg really got into the show and tossed his leg on stage. That was definitely a first for us.

XRT has been playing your song "Steal the Wind It's Free." How did this come about?

MS: That came from pestering emails, but Richard Milne (Local Anesthetic) was really cool about it. He really liked it and thought we were really doing something that has been lost in Chicago for the past decade. He said we were "bringing the rock back."

What makes your live show great?

Matt Jannotta: Lately we have been experimenting with some theatrics. Somersaults and behind the back guitar solo's have been in the mix. We also work really hard to make the melodies of one song flow into the next to keep the show running smoothly.

Tell us something totally random about the band.

MJ: I play the drums in nothing but my underwear. It's in my contract.

MATT KUHNEN IS A REDEYE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
- Red Eye (Chicago Tribune)


Discography

**ALL MUSIC AVAILABLE AT BULLYINTHEHALLWAY.COM**

New music in 2013!

"Crooks and their Castles" - new release, Dec 2011.

"Advice EP" - released 07 April 2010

Recorded and engineered by Mike Lust at Phantom Manor March 27, 28 and April 3 2010. Mastered at Carl Saff at Saff Mastering April 6th. Produced by Bully in the Hallway. Music and Lyrics by Bully in the Hallway.

Received local airplay on 93.1 WXRT, Fearless Radio (online) and 89.5 (Vocalo)

“Apples & Sunshine” - released 18 July 2009

Production: Bully in the Hallway
Music Written By: Bully in the Hallway
Saxophone on Tracks 8 and 11 By: Austin Mayer
All Lyrics By: Bully in the Hallway
Except On "Crossing The Bar" Lyrics By: Lord Alfred Tennyson
Engineering: Mike Lust at Phantom Manor
Mixing: Mike Lust at Phantom Manor
Mastering: Carl Saff at Saff Mastering
Artwork: Chris Mitchell at Piewindow.com

Received local airplay on WXQX Q101, 93.1 XRT, 88.7 WLUW and and 89.5 (Vocalo)

Photos

Bio

New music in 2013!

We're a high energy, all original act that has garnered comparisons to Fugazi, Bear Vs. Shark, Rise Against and Naked Raygun. In the past we've shared the stage with acts such as Titus Andronicus, the Smoking Popes, Riverboat Gamblers.

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The Chicago post-genre quintet, Bully in the Hallway, unleashed their sophomore self-release, “Crooks and their Castles”, on December 1st, 2011 at Chicago’s famed Empty Bottle, where they opened for Dax Riggs (formerly of Acid Baths + Deadboy & The Elephantmen). After their successful and much lauded debut self-release “Apples and Sunshine” in July of 2009, the band is ready to show off their maturation. With previous acclaim from blogs such as Consequence of Sound, “The truly refreshing aspect of Bully is their tendency to stray from the “yawn” music that dominates the indie-charts of today... This Chicago quintet is most definitely punk rock and embraces comparisons to Fugazi and other staples of the genre.” And after a busy 2010 and 2011 opening for Titus Andronicus, Riverboat Gamblers, and Smoking Popes to name a few, the band is rearing for everyone to hear their complete and abounding style. The Onion’s AV Club calls the band, “a nice synthesis of East Bay melodic punk (like Samiam) with its Midwestern forebears (like Naked Raygun and The Replacements).” The band is happy and much obliged to share the new album with you through streaming on SoundCloud or Bandcamp for your convenience. And if you would like a promotional copy or would like to arrange an interview/review, please contact us and we will be more than happy to provide you with whatever it is you may need from them.

“...(the)fast-paced guitar work (and) the multi-fold harmonies are awfully nice... There’s an intricate sophistication to most of (their songs)... If they keep this up, we may be talking about this Bully in the same breath as another Chicago band with punk tendencies who can carry a tune, and that’s Rise Against.”

-Consequence of Sound-

“The second coming of Naked Raygun?... Crooks is bursting with energy, excitement, and hooks. This only being Bully’s second full-length, the album proves that this is a band to keep an eye on.”

-The Big Takover & Examiner.com-

“This is the band's second self-released album and if they continue to make these types of leaps in their sound and presentation they will find a home label in 2012.”

-The Deli Magazine-