Bully is the solo project of guitarist and singer Alicia Bognanno, the American rock band formed in 2013 in Nashville. They signed to Columbia Records label Startime International and released their first album Feels Like in 2015. Then moved to Sub Pop to release Losing in 2017 and the forthcoming album SUGAREGG is due out on August 21, 2020. What initially began as a 3-piece band is now a solo project with accompanying members.
Background
Bully was founded by Rosemount, Minnesota native Alicia Bognanno, who earned a degree from Middle Tennessee State University in audio recording before getting an internship at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studios in Chicago. She started recording demos of her own material before relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, where she worked as an engineer at Battle Tapes Recording and The Stone Fox venue. She formed the band with Stewart Copeland on drums After self-releasing a limited cassette, the band's first single proper, "Milkman", was released in April 2014. They signed with Columbia Records label Startime International and released their debut albumFeels Like in June 2015. Feels Like received generally positive reviews from critics. Laura Snapes of Pitchfork wrote, "The coarse Cobain head-scream of Bully singer, songwriter, and guitarist Alicia Bognanno is its own resuscitating jolt of protest... she spends much of Feels Like tearing down the house with her howl." Losing is the second studio album by Bully. It was released on October 20, 2017 by Sub Pop. The album was recorded at Electrical Audio in Chicago. Losing, is grimier and less sugar-slick than their 2015 debut, Feels Like, where songs like “Trying” and “Milkman” offered hooks so punchy they bordered on pop-punk. What is said to be another breakout record - Musically, Losing doubles down on Bognanno’s voice, with recordings that push her layered vocals to the forefront. Lyrically, she’s never been better. Vocally, never more dynamic. Bognanno's songwriting develops and really shines in this record. On May 1st, 2020 Bully released covers of Nirvana’s “About a Girl” and Orville Peck’s “Turn To Hate” Of the “About a Girl” cover, Rolling Stone raved, “Hearing the Nashville band cover Nirvana is almost too obvious — but, good God, is it glorious. Their spin on 1989’s “About a Girl” strikes a perfect balance of raw and melodic, without ever sounding like the output of a cover band…Still, it’s not just a skilled copy of a classic. As for her take on “Turn To Hate,” Stereogum had this to say, “A song that sounds incredible in Bully’s rocket-fueled garage rock style.” Paste concurs, “Bully’s rendition is possibly even better than the original with its incredibly anthemic chorus.” On June 11th, 2020 Bully announced the much anticipated third record SUGAREGG which will be out on August 21st, 2020 by Sub Pop. Alicia Bognanno channeled 1997 Chumbawamba classic “Tubthumping” when it came to writing her new single, “Where to Start” which was met with overwhelming reception and debuted at #1 at Alt Specialty Radio. The albums second single "Every Tradition" bandleader Alicia Bognanno is taking on society’s expectations for women, while also clapping back at one specific individual.
