Graham Elvis from 80s pop sensations The Elvis Brothers introduced Mike Cohen and Jeff Janulis in 1990. He had been working on some studio recordings with Mike and drummer extraordinaire, Mark Fornek. Mike and Jeff hit it off very well vocally, their voices complimenting each other in a nearly brotherly way. Mike and Jeff had a shared passion for the early rock and roll music of the Everly Brothers, Carl Perkins, Elvis, and the like, as well as an appreciation for The Beatles and others in a similar vein. Perfecting their harmonies, the band then took to writing and performing in the early 90s as "The Abbeys".

The duo often opened for the Elvis Bros at Chicago area clubs, and as G. Elvis was want to comment, "They didn't suck." The two "Abbeys" applied their Everly-inspired harmonies covering a good portion of the Everlys' catalog, as well as overlaying their harmonies on other classic 60's music. They put together a top-notch band featuring guitarist Steve Dvorak, drummer Mark Fornek, and a turn-style of bass players including but not limited to Chicago blues stalwart Mike McCurdy, Carl Lubicz, and John Slywka. In 1995, as "The Abbeys", they released "Please File Under: 'Twang'", featuring tracks from the group as well as 'Little Submarine', a song penned by Mike's friends, the Webstirs, and featuring Graham Elvis.

Mike and Jeff continued on throughout the decade, appearing throughout the midwest and making yearly appearances at IPO (International Pop Overthrow) Chicago fests, including the recent April 25th performance. In 2008 the band adopted the additional moniker "The Everly Hillbillies" for their oldies revival productions.

As "The Abbeys" they are currently recording their newest album at Starwood Studios in Atlanta (the same recording studio that is producing the latest Everly Brothers' album), and is due out in 2012.