Audio Bullys

Audio Bullys

Audio Bullys are a London-based electronic music group formed by Simon Franks and Tom Dinsdale. Active since 2001, the duo work across electronic, electronica, house, big beat and breakbeat, with their early output also drawing on hip-hop, punk and garage.

Career

The group are managed at one point by DJ and presenter George Lamb. Their debut album, Ego War, is released in 2003 and receives positive reviews, helping to establish them as a notable new act in dance music. The record combines breaks, hip-hop, punk, garage and house, with a strong focus on beats and sampling.

In 2005 they release Generation, their second album. It follows Ego War but is less well received, with a slower pace and a generally darker, more downbeat mood than their first record. During this period, Simon Franks says the group listen too much to their label, Virgin, and that the band should not have taken outside advice on the direction of the album.

Notable releases and collaborations

Audio Bullys score a UK Top 3 single in 2005 with “Shot You Down”, which samples Nancy Sinatra’s version of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”. On Generation, they also collaborate with Suggs of Madness on the track “This Road”.

Style

The group’s sound brings together dance music with club-oriented production and sampling, while moving between energetic, sample-led material and darker, slower tracks. Their work reflects a mix of house and electronic music with influences from hip-hop and older UK dance styles.