"As the headliner, Why Johnny Kills is a fitting embodiment of the kind of band that's found refuge at the Art Bar.  Too polarizing and unpredictable for most of Columbia's establishments, the music of Why Johnny Kills could never be too "out there" for the open-minded clientele that have helped make these last three years of live music at the Art Bar a success."
K. Langston Free Times 7/11/07

"Why Johnny Kills — There are some bands that are impossible simply for the sake of being impossible, but I give these guys more credit than that. It might be arcane, but I believe there’s a method to their psycho-fusion experimentalist madness. Besides, music shouldn’t always be safe and easy. In fact, I’d say it’s often times too safe and easy, so kudos to Why Johnny Kills for taking a dump in the swimming pool."
Free Times

"Why Johnny Kills, the psychedelic indie rockers for Columbia, SC, are notorious for their live shows. From the energy to the amazing multimedia experience possible at the Art Bar, this band is a must see. The sound derives from the influences of Can, This Heat, Archie Shepp and Black Sabbath. This band will keep you guessing from their homemade instruments to their eclectic sound."
Art Bar Music Archive 5/18/06

"It's been a decade since art-damaged punksters Why Johnny Kills terrorized Columbia with their unique blend of punk, noise and jazz. The group played the Shirley Temple of Doom album release party at Workshop Theater in 1995, and their set was an electrifying spectacle, complete with band members banging on oil drums and other odd percussion items (prompting the sound guy to joke that he’d never had the opportunity to mic an oil container). The decade since their last performance in the capital city has seen the band go through a line-up change, and the resulting sound maintains the urgency of their earlier ethos, but streamlines the sound noticeably, resulting in a more coherent collection of songs. The instrumentalists of the band form a tight unit. Drummer Glenn Dickson keeps the band grounded with his solid, jazz-influenced variations. Bassist "Johnny" holds plays it close to the chest, weaving hypnotic repetitions under "Johnny" guitarist’s savage onslaughts. Singer Tim Simmons is a captivating frontman with a unique and brutal voice, capable of reaching sinister lows and mischeivous highs. Watching his stage antics is worth the price of admission. This band has solid vision, developed over a decade and sculpted into an exciting sound."
Columbia Beet 6/29/05

"stream of consciousness noise rock"
Free Times 6/28/05

"Performing as a freak-out, experimental noise rock band here in their hometown from 1996-98, the personnel of Why Johnny Kills eventually went their separate ways. Most of its members remained active in the music scenes of Chicago, New York, and Seattle, and never strayed from their experimental roots. Another member remained in Columbia and was last a member of Lowercase B. This week's show at the Hunter-Gatherer marks the end of a six-year hiatus and an unofficial homecoming. Despite a few less players, the lineup is essentially intact and should provide an intriguing glimpse into the scene's not-so-distant past."
Free Times 3/9/05