GULLY BOYS "PHONY" ALBUM PREMIERE

“Phony” is five fantastic tracks of passionate vocals on the cusp of ripping your heart out, balanced perfectly by restrained distortion threatening to break loose at any moment. Subtle and aggressive is the name of the game through out “Phony,” starting off with the palm muted and fuzzy guitar on “New Song No. 2,” that is paired splendidly with the powerfully, emotional vocals referencing a less than perfect relationship. The lyrics through out the album strike an excellent balance of vague enough to apply to everyone, but specific enough to feel sincere, and generically applicable, but using interesting phrasing to catch your attention. I think the best example of this is in the opening lines of the EP, “I can’t remember and you’ll never forget/The poem of me’s and you’s, you’ll soon regret.” “New Song No. 2” is definitely not a (to paraphrase the lyrics) “waste of time,” especially if you pair the song with their awesome music video depicting the Gully Boys recreating iconic music videos. Natalie Klemond and Nadirah McGill hold it down on bass and drums respectively, building a quaking foundation that makes it impossible to remain still on every track, and even take the lead on the intro of “Fight Song.” Passionate vocals rip through melancholic palm muting and understated nah nahs on “You Should Sleep Alone.” This song reads like an argument, with one side pleading their case and other dismissively defensive, making the case that maybe it would be better for both parties if they were alone. Contrary to what the title might imply, “Fight Song” is probably the chillest song on the EP. Although the third track is mellower than the rest, there is still an underlying tension that helps grab and hold your attention. Starting off with dreamy and layered “Ooo”s, “Hear You Calling” feels like floating through a wistful haze yearning for someone you want to both attract and repel. The imagery in this song in intriguing and I’m not sure what it’s about exactly, but I do know that I want to listen to it over and over again. The final track of the EP “Like Me Now” is another low-key aggressive track that speaks to the complexities of relationship, romantic or otherwise. “Like me now/just think if you really got me” is repeated through out the song, and stands out as almost a mantra.Lyrical the song hints at a deeper personal meaning, especially when the words are flipped to “Just think if I really got me,” towards then end of the tune. “Phony” is pure distorted fury that proves the Gully Boys are anything but phonies.

Gully Boys
Kathy Callahan vox/guitar she/her
Natalie Klemond bass/vox she/her
Nadirah McGill drums/vox they/them

(Melodic Noise) How's your day going?
(Gully Boys) Really well, the night before the Phony release so lots of excitement and nervousness to put our baby out in the world! It's also Natalies birthday tomorrow so it a big celebration!

(MN) What is your formed/origin story?
(GB) Kathy and Natalie grew up together in La Crosse, Wi. They had wanted to be in a band but didnt know how to play instruments but both really liked music. Fast forward many years later, Nadi and Kathy were working together at Ragstock in Uptown and we started talking about how we had always wanted to be in a band but didn't feel confident in the instruments we were just learning how to play. I (Nadi) had just started playing drums and Kathy, guitar. We decided to jam and just try to make music together and it felt so good and so fun! Kathy then mentioned that her best friend, Natalie, had a bass and wanted to jam with us. We played Boyfriend by Best Coast 1 (one time) and a song that Kathy had written a while ago and we decided that we were in a band!

(MN) Genre?
(GB) Indie Melodic Punk

(MN) Do you have a label?
(GB) Nope! But maybe one day! :-)

(MN) Album name?
(GB - Nadi) This year has been filled with a lot of growth both in our personal lives but also as a band. Since winning Clicked to Pick (which was a massive surprise for us) we naturally had more exposure and opportunities to play bigger shows. I know I personally felt some massive imposter syndrome because I didn't consider myself a “real drummer” because I had no “formal training” and I know we had all talked about that similar feeling. We thought “oh crap, was Not So Brave an accident?!” but this EP really proved to us that it was just the beginning. We no longer feel like phonies. We have come into our own, we matured and we ain't going nowhere.

(MN) Lyrically what stands out on the album?
(GB) In this album we are undoubtedly more truthful to ourselves. This made our lyrics a bit more simple but harder hitting.

(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(GB) Growth was our biggest inspiration. Personally, musically, and together.

(MN) What do you hope people take away from the album?
(GB) We hope that people can see our inner children fighting to find balance in our adult bodies, and relate to how we express that.

(MN) Is there something that connects the songs together?
(GB) Not to be redundant, but growth is the throughline. Whether that be in heartbreak, reconciling childhood, or in togetherness as a band.

(MN) Was the video for "New Song No. 2" as fun to film as it is to watch?
(GB) Hell yeah tbh, we ate a lot of snacks, had fun doing our own hair and makeup and watching the scenes come to life was !!!!!

(MN) Are you locals or transplants?
(GB) Nadi is from Minneapolis and Kathy and Natalie are from Wisconsin :(

(MN) What are some of your influences and Minnesota influences?
(GB) Jeff Buckley, Mannequin Pussy, Courtney Love, Mariah Carey, Spencer Smith, Sharon Van Etten, Janelle Monae, PJ Harvey

(MN) Who are some of your favorite current Twin Cities artists?
(GB) 4th Curtis, Lydia Liza, MDS, Static Panic, niiice, The Shackeltons, Polica, Dua Saleh, Bad Bad Hats, Pierre

(MN) What is your favorite venue to play and see shows at in Twin Cities?
(GB) First Ave to play, The Cedar Cultural Center to see shows!

(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your show?
(GB) Kathy’s snarls, high energy, genuine smiles, maybe a mosh pit, definitely some dad fans

(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(GB - Nadi) Playing the Mainroom for the first time!
(GB - Nat) People singing along at our release show
(GB - Kathy) people singing along to dizzy louder than my vocals our first residency show!!

(MN) Who are your dream tour-mates? (can be anyone)
(GB) Mannequin Pussy!!!, Gender Confetti, Hole, Sharon Van Etten

(MN) Other hobbies?
(GB) Kathy is a photographer and cinematographer and loves Marc Maron
Natalie is a visual artist and has an extensive knowledge of podcasts
Nadi manages 4th Curtis and is going to school for Music Business

(MN) Is there anything that sets the Twin Cities scene apart from places you've toured?
(GB) The togetherness :’-)

(MN) What are your favorite places to grab food or drink in the Twin Cities?
(GB) MORTIMERS BABY!

(MN) Day jobs?
(GB) Kathy and Natalie are house cleaners and Nadi is a full time student and band manager!

(MN) What are the band's plans for the future?
(GB) Lock ourselves in a cabin to write, release another album and save the world.

You can check out Gully Boys on Bandcamp and Spotify. Catch them live at 7th St. Entry December 22, with Static Panic and Veil.

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Review and Interview by: Andrew Perrizo