Event

SLAMJUNK Presents: Holy Hand Grenade (Afrobeat/Funk)

Holy Hand Grenade took on its name in a moment of spontaneity. The band, like its name, is a spontaneous, fun and mischievous convergence of Afrobeat, Funk, and Jazz.

The bands seven members, Lynn Ligammari, Lathan Hardy, Dave Palazola, Timothy James, Chris Doyle, Ronnie Lanzilotta and Marcus Farrar, all hail from various parts of the Eastern United States, but draw on sounds spanning generations, continents and genres, with influences ranging from Mulatu Astake and Fela Kuti, to Eddie Harris and El Michels Affair.

Members of the band split their time recording and touring with acts like Antibalas, Conor Oberst, Red Baraat, Durand Jones & The Indications, Evolfo, Pronoun, Rodes Rollins, Armo, Touki Delphine, and The Sway Machinery. The Brooklyn ensemble has been kicking around the citys groove music scene, playing venues such as Brooklyn Bowl, Nublu, Bembe, Queens Brewery, Apotheke, and more.

Saxophonist Lynn Ligammari and guitarist Timothy James have been collaborating for years, going back to their days playing with the band Thought in Buffalo. Drummer Dave Palazola and saxophonist Lathan Hardy crossed paths while rehearsing for a West African Balafon group, just before Dave made his move from Maine to New York. The two kept in touch, and after Lathan and Lynn met, the three began playing together regularly, forming the kernel of Holy Hand Grenade.

Not long after, keyboardist Chris Doyle and bassist Ronnie Lanzilotta entered the mix. More recently, guitarist Timothy James and percussionist Marcus Farrar of Antibalas have joined the group, becoming fixtures of the bands luscious rhythmic and groove-based landscape. All having joined up in time for Holy Hand Grenade to record their first full length LP, Celebrate not Separate.

In 2018, Mike Allen of Tigershrimp records added Holy Hand Grenade to the labels burgeoning roster of artists.

https://www.hhgnyc.com