From Saskatoon Canada, The Rebellion is Canada’s Answer to “Muse”. Known for its dynamic live shows, Rockin Energy and poignant, thoughtful lyrics, they've released their second album “II” in 2011. Nominated for "Best Rock Song" at the 2011 Hollywood Music In Media Awards! Recently featured on CBC Radio, they were Broadcasted LIVE across Canada on the “On a Cold Road” Concert Series. Their Self Titled album was also named 1 of the Top 10 Albums of 2010 by Rock and Roll Guru Blog! The band haved supported the release with a tour across the Canada and the United States. Having performed over 300 club and corporate concerts since 2007, this new release is highly anticipated for thousands of fans in North America.
The Rebellion is comprised of a “band of brothers,” as the members call themselves. Made up of Josh Palmer on Guitar, Piano and Lead Vocals, Christian Kongawi on Drums and Backup Vocals, and Rylan Schultz on Bass and Backup Vocals. The approach the band uses to create its music and lyrics often calls upon the members’ past experiences, many of their commonalities to infuse the music with their own personal feelings and brotherhood, leading to songs that are often described as “explosive.” Their genre of music may be hard to pigeonhole or classify, but there is something familiar and recognizable about it because it contains elements from a wide range of musical styles, incorporating soul, rock, classical and a plethora of other influences.
The new album, appropriately entitled “II”, is collection of powerful, energetic grooves, universal lyrics and melodies that’ll hook your soul. The album was Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Josh Palmer out of PM Recording Studios ( The Studio that Josh built and ran out of Saskatoon for 4 years ). The experience he gained with Recording and Producing many Western Canadian Indie Bands lead to him confidently lead the reigns of their second album and self produce it and record it himself.
The Rebellion’s first Self Titled Album, was a reawakening for the band members. A solid and creative way for the men to bond through the art of music. They call the album “a new chapter” in their lives, and as the first album recorded from start to finish, it was a great way for the men to learn and grow as musicians and producers.
After the 1st recording, the band hit the road incessantly, working hard to perfect its signature, helping them to sell out shows across the country. Highlights are 2011 SCMC Music Conference Los Angeles California, Canadian Music Week 2010, Ness Creek Fest 2009, Juno Awards Festival, CMW 2008, WCMA 2008/07 and SASKTEL Jazz Festival 2008. Toured Nationally with labelmates, TV Heart Attack. Shared the stage with Hey Ocean several times; and with The Bourne Ruffians. The band In Flight Safety invited The Rebellion to support their Saskatchewan dates, and they’ve been asked share the stage with such groups as Indie pop rockers Obijou, The Weakerthans and Joel Plasket.
“The Rebellion,” says Palmer of their live show, “has been a vessel for us to express our true feelings of the world and the relationships we have within it. Live, we let go. We rock out. It’s a liberating feeling for us and the audience. We’re having so much fun on stage, and that transfers to the audience. Through this liberating sense I personally get from playing in The Rebellion, I feel completely honest in my writing and performing. There are no walls — you get in, and it’s our sincere wish that people join in and sing.”
Press Quotes
"If all radio-friendly music was this well thought out, it’s safe to say the state of current music wouldn’t be so dire. The Rebellion may plays Top 40 music, but they prove thatdoesn’t have to be a dirty word, eschewing bullshit auto-tune and blatant rip-offs in favour of a focus on songwriting and heart."
- Craig Silliphant, Planet S Magazine (Nov 17, 2011) Canada
"The band has solidified their sound. Piano driven modern rock is the style of Rebellion, and it is music done right. Josh Palmer’s voice still sounds fantastic and his bandmates follow suit, showing off their talent with ease. II brings with it many surprises yet many familiarities as well. Josh Palmer’s voice sounds as grand as the previous record and his guitar work is still amazing. The songs are stronger than the previous disc and much more enjoyable. The hard work that The Rebellion put into this record shows in the sound that is released. It’s obvious the band did not want to repeat their debut and deliver a stale sound, so they went to work and worked hard. The end result was worth it, as II is one of the better records to be released this year."
- Rock and Roll Guru, Rock and Roll Guru Blog (Oct 19, 2011) New Jersey USA
“Indie rockers The Rebellion cover a lot of territory in their new CD,
"Time," managing to be alternately thrashful and thoughtful. Guitarist
Silviu Moldovan sounds at times like Travis Stever of Coheed and Cambria,
but Rebellion pianist Josh Palmer also manages to summon the likes of The
Fray's Issac Slade on other tracks -- a virtual "180" of influences on the
indie-rock landscape. The result: A band with the potential to go in a
number of directions, even within the same disc. That sort of versatility
portends a potentially long and fruitful run”. -- JamJar, The Bakersfield, Californian 2/10
“It is the sophomore outing from The Rebellion that proves they got it right. Their relentless genre-borrowing eschews all pigeonholing (maybe even classification) and yields an eclectic album with simply too many facets to count. The tight technical work, the myriad of musical styles and the available musicality at their disposal has rendered a respectable final product” --- Chris West, Skope Mag . Com, Feb 2010
