WNXP Summer Line Series with Bully and Massie99

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This summer’s shows hit a little bit different than last summer’s shows because now, Rock Oracle is a building a team and we had our first team building exercise at WNXP’s Summer Line Series. We were in attendance for the second of four events curated by Nashville Public Radio Station WNXP (91.1 FM) for this summer. By we, I mean myself, plus new additions to the squad Sarah and Stacy who, along with Florida Oracle, Mooney, have been instrumental in taking Rock Oracle to the next level.  The first WNXP event was with Devon Gilfillian and was deemed a huge success as people filled the Ascension St. Thomas Landing at Nashville Yards on June 26th.  The sophomore installment of this well orchestrated showcase was Bully and Massie99, on August 22nd, at the outdoor venue.  I was thrilled to introduce these artists to my team and share in a magical night evening of music community. 

With a parking garage nearby and lots of walkability, Nashville Yards proves to be an idyllic location to host this event. It is a beautiful venue with some cool spots for lounging and access to plenty of food and beverages.  On a particularly heated night in Middle Tennessee water was essential and some even teased its way out of the sky but remained aloof so that this gathering of likeminded onlookers could engage with some ferocious, fuzz-forward, female-fronted (wanted to sneak in a few “F” words) powerhouses acts. The three of us took refuge near the stage so that we could be fully immersed in the encounter.  The music started promptly at 7pm with the very first notes being dropped by Massie99.

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Massie99 is Grace Christian, Dani Robinette, and Grayson Vaughan.  The band blends heavy guitars with cheerleader-style chants, and intricate three-part harmonies that sit on unparalleled ranges making Massie99 a great riot band. I can see the influences of acts like Bikini Kill, 7 Year Bitch and L7 engrained in their formula.  This group bleeds fun and sweats well plotted aggression throughout their set. This is why they have infiltrated my playlist which doesn’t open its doors to just anybody.  Thanks to the crew avoiding the algorithms on WNXP I was able to hear the angst fueled overtones of Massie99 starting a few months back.  Sonically, they summon those who laid the groundwork before them but they play to a sound that is vibrant and not at all rehashed.  

One of my favorite takes from the show, besides them tossing out pink pom-poms to those against the barricade, was the fact that they all switched roles a couple of times throughout their set.  Lead guitar went to bass, bass went to sit behind the kit and the drummer came out front to play lead guitar.  True show-woman-ship in the art of all things being equal and a glimpse into the array of talent within the group’s inner workings. They self-identify as “bubble-gum punk”, but I think that pulls away from their true depth.  This trio plays with a tempered veracity and has meaning behind their lyrics.  They are intentional. 

Songs like ‘Anika’ and a K$sha cover of ‘Dinosaur’ are great examples of the bands ability to not only create catchy hooks but to get the audience to participate in sing-alongs and boppy spelling chants. However, this is just the surface of a much heavier band with a really meaningful mantra.  I expect more great things from this group going forward.  Stacy, Sarah and I certainly grooved to the tones that this dynamic ensemble laid down, but also noticed the trajectory that could reach great heights. Massie99 must be added to your playlist.

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Bully hasn’t played a show in her hometown of Nashville in over a year.  In fact, I was at that last show in August 2025 to see Alicia Bognanno, aka Bully, at The Blue Room. Before that I saw her opening up for Suki Waterhouse at The Ryman. Now she was back, and I just hoped that I hadn’t overhyped her for my new entourage. 

The rain played with our emotions a little as she started her set, but it once again backed off and let us have our night.  Not only did we scream and shout at the arrival of this chic artist, but I was profoundly excited when I noticed that the guitar player joining her onstage was none-other-than Sophie Allison, aka Soccer Mommy. Soccer Mommy is also a Nashville staple for indie-dream-rock and is beloved by her Middle Tennessee masses.  I had also seen the duo of Sophie & Alicia team up before at that Ryman show to play a few tracks that they had collaborated on.  Now they were doing an entire show together which was simply fantastic.  

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My young teammates retreated further back from the stage at this point, as this 52 year old patina’d punk pushed his way up against that holy shrine known as the barricade. Right down in front with my earplugs twisted in tight and my orthotics doubled up for max comfort. Bully needs to be seen and needs those amps blasting on full volume. You need to be up front, bouncing around and singing at the top of your lungs.  I’ll rest when I’m dead.

The best part about Bully is that she looks like she doesn’t care.  I do not mean that in any sort of negative way, it’s absolutely the best.  It’s that slackluster vibe of the 90’s-grunge DIY garage band that drew me to my current headspace. My senior year was 1992, so Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Mudhoney, The Gits and so many more were just gracing my palate and from those formative years my musical tastes were etched into my soul. Bully would have fit in fine, in Seattle, with those forefathers of music revolution.  And it is beautiful the way that she has developed her own tonality to make sure that those who came before her were not forgotten but that she too can lay in her own brickwork into the pantheon of those pioneers. 

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Bully offers those rasp-laden vocals that pierce into the ethos and plays her fuzz driven guitar like a tommy-gun fighting against the burden of repression. She stands like a powerful monument on stage, yet she shakes her head furiously with the pace of the sound she creates. She can also get soft, as she did at this show.  Her mates headed off stage as she took to the keys to play ‘Atomic Bomb’.   She implored the tech to take any spotlights off of her and so she sat in the dark and played from the heart.  Beautiful melodies and awe-striking words flowed from the dimly lit stage.  She stayed in that space for yet another track which she said was originally to be part of a project that was scrapped but she wanted to give it a go tonight.  About a verse in, the train ripped through the tracks behind the stage and while she laughed a little, the song still transcended the night and may have even added a delightfully playfulness to the song.  It certainly created an unexpected memory.  “I knew that was gonna happen”, she joked after the fact. 

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Bully crushed per usual.  Massie99 was endearing and certainly captured new fans who might have just come for the headliner.  My pals and I bonded over new music and new experiences together and that is why we have become fast-friends.  The music bonds, and it heals, and it teaches us about the power of community. Please keep listening to the music.  Please support live venues and get there early for the openers.  Please keep supporting one another, rather than tearing each other down.  We need a sense of unity now more than ever and music can be that healing agent. Be kind.

The next two:

WNXP Summer Line Series presented by TennPop featuring Blondshell and Caroline Carter August 27 at Ascension Saint Thomas Landing at Nashville Yards.

Doors: 6pm
Opener: 7pm
Blondshell: 8pm

WNXP Summer Line Series presented by TennPop featuring Ratboys and Ovven September 25 at Ascension Saint Thomas Landing at Nashville Yards.

Doors: 6pm
Opener: 7pm
Ratboys: 8pm

Photos: Jason Shrum