Screamin’ Rebel Angels’ unrelenting and hi-octane original music reimagines the legacy of rock ‘n roll, rockabilly, and rhythm ‘n blues into a contemporary sound. Their thrilling live performances are packed with primal passion and authenticity. The sound is unapologetically their own, and they take their audiences on an exhilarating adventure into an untamed world of dangerous women, broken hearts, courage and conviction.
Leading the band is Laura Palmer, a versatile multi-instrumentalist, song-writer, and producer. Equally adept at slapping out the rhythm on an upright bass or picking on a big ol’ Gretsch, Laura Palmer’s on stage presence and powerful vocals have garnered international attention and acclaim, including earning the 2020 Ameripolitan Award for “Rockabilly Female of the Year.” Add in stratospheric lead guitar and drums and the combination is a truly unique sound not to be missed. Screamin’ Rebel Angels regularly play like their lives depend on it throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Screamin' Rebel Angels, based out of Brooklyn, NY, is one of the highly anticipated performances of the July 29, 2023 Bandstand Celebration at Bingham Park in Hawley, PA. Laura recently sat down with her sister Michele of Hawley for an interview to discuss being inducted into the Recording Academy and her trek back to her hometown to perform.
Can you tell us about your recent induction into the Recording Academy?
Sure, I was recently inducted into the Recording Academy as a voting member which means that I'm able to vote in the Grammys, to contribute to making sure that a more diverse set of interests and voices are represented. In addition to the participation in the Grammys, we also do a lot of outreach work and volunteer work for musicians and the musical community, such as helping organize healthcare and other means of aid and pooling resources. It’s more than just participation in the Grammys, it’s also a volunteer-based community working for the good of musicians.
That sounds fabulous. What was the date that you were inducted?
I've been inducted for about a year, it's a peer recommendation from other musicians that are already in the Recording Academy. You are submitted based on the body of work that you’ve done.
And can you tell us how you voted in the very last Grammy round?
I actually cannot.
So Laura I know that you perform on tour often. Can you tell us a little bit about your most recent tours?
A few weeks ago I was in Portugal and in Spain. In Portugal I was recording with Boz Boorer, who is a founding member of the new wave Rockabilly band the Polecats. For decades he's been the Musical Director and co-writer for Morrissey who was part of The Smiths. Boz and I are working on a new project. Then from Portugal I hopped over to Madrid to play a duo show with Mike Sanchez who is an amazing boogie-woogie piano player who has played with everyone from Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, to Eric Clapton. Mike launched Imelda May’s career. It was a pleasure to play with someone who is so well-versed and experienced.
Are you looking forward to performing at the upcoming Bandstand Celebration Event in Hawley this July 29th?
Yes I am looking forward to being a part of the celebration back in my hometown. The bandstand is being named after Christopher Ellingsen, my great grandfather, an immigrant from Norway who designed the park and the structures in it. We see all these structures around where we live in these community spaces, and it's really nice to also bring in a more human element and to learn the stories behind them. To see how not only was this made for the community but it was also made by the community through donation of land, through donation of money and materials and also donation of labor- which is most impressive because this was constructed during the height of the Great Depression. I’m very honored to be a part of not only being able to contribute to the enjoyment of this community space but to also kind of bring a more personal touch to how we’re all connected.
Any final thoughts Laura?
What has been interesting during the research and preparation for this celebration, is really bringing my great grandfather's story to life for me. He passed before I was born so I never had the chance to meet him in person. Through helping prepare for this celebration, I feel like I've been able to get to really know part of my family and him and that is just a treasure that is really irreplaceable.
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This FREE event will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the Ellingsen Bandstand in Bingham Park, Hawley, PA and runs from 10:00am- 4:00pm. Screamin' Rebel Angels will perform at 1:00 and 3:00. See the website for the full listing of the day's events. The celebration is coordinated through Hawley Borough Council and Hawley Park and Rec. The entertainment and activities are privately sponsored by descendants of Christopher Ellingsen.
RECENT PRESS QUOTES:
“With a vocal delivery that channels an otherworldly combo of Janis Martin and any great blues shouter you can possibly think of, Palmer’s voice explodes into a full-blown sonic assault. Few covers can match the incendiary power and fury of Little Richard in his prime (hey, even Elvis couldn’t pull that off on his first album), but Palmer knocks it out of the park.”
--Guitar World Magazine, December 2019
"...one of the most electrifying acts to burst onto NYC's rock scene since Max's and CB's. …
Music Journalists take note.” ---Rock and Roll Globe, March 2019
“Genuine rock'n'roll, attitude and impudence, punkabilly punches and a woman from New York paying her commitment, nothing more than that. Enough to re-discover the hidden legacy of Screamin Jay Hawkins, the ghostly treasure that were The Cramps as well as the impertinence and musical ubiquity of Little Richard. Screamin 'Rebel Angels are a modern rock'n'roll band.”
---Blues21.com, March 2019
"It’s an exceptional album and one that has already set the bar ridiculously high for other artists to knock it off as my album of 2019. " ---Lee Powell UK Rock n Roll magazine, February 2019
“Some poor jaded souls spend a lot of time whining about what happened to “real rock and roll.” Those folks have clearly never heard Screamin’ Rebel Angels, a band that combines old-time rockabilly sounds with punk attitude on the new album Heel Grinder.” ---Gary Schwind, Glide Magazine, February 2019
Links:
Website: www.screaminrebelangels.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/screaminrebelangels
Instagram: @ScreaminRebelAngels
Twitter: @ScreaminNYC
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/screaminrebelangels
Email: info@screaminrebelangels.com
Videos:
https://youtu.be/ADIX7xvKAgM https://youtu.be/qQbSGhI8wHU https://youtu.be/sqfdxGG6v-A
https://youtu.be/oIfkkaD9ONI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhnkn9YpQlE