The Bullys
BQE Overdrive
Self-Released
Robert Christgau once wrote off the latter-day Ramones as nothing more than a day job for night people. The Bullys remind me of that remark, but for them I think the opposite is true: it’s a night job for day people. Nothing wrong with that. Judging by BQE Overdrive, the Bullys have fun on their second shift, crafting hooky New York street punk that’s more Dictators than Dead Boys (what did you expect with a name like that, screamo ghost-core?) Certain lyrical cliches can’t be avoided: terrestrial radio is damned, authority in general is slammed and alcohol is referenced (although never by brand). Luckily, clever lines punctuate these oft-tread themes –my personal favorite being “I’m gonna terrorize a sack of French fries” in “Fast Food”– and the beat is always hoppin’. I’m not gonna knock the Bullys for not having a label or mounting a nation-wide tour in support of their act. I will, however, pray that they won’t have to work two jobs forever.
The Bullys: http://www.thebullys.com
