Local 80s band Screaming Nurse revived for one-time humane society benefit show
Ah, yes, the ‘80s.
MTV is launched. Diana and Charles get married. "New Coke" is born and almost immediately dies. “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” Flock Of Seagulls, a-ha and Spandau Ballet.
And, locally, Screaming Nurse.
Thirty-seven years ago, a small group of female musicians got together under the guidance of Bob Acquaviva to form the only all-female band in Central New York. Named “Screaming Nurse" (Bob’s never been noted for his political correctness) the band recorded a 45 (ask your parents, kids) containing the songs “Heart To Heart” and “Just A Man,” which you can still find on YouTube.
Now Screaming Nurse is back, revived by the original lead singer Donna Ray to perform a one-time show to benefit Anita’s Steven Swan Humane Society. The show will be held on Oct. 22 at Nothing Fancy in Vernon, with Screaming Nurse playing a set at 8 p.m. 169 Rhythm Section will follow with a full night of music starting at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 and nurses with ID get in free before 8 p.m.
Screaming Nurse played in area clubs for two years before going their separate ways. After the initial break up, the original band did two reunion shows but haven't played together since 1990.
“This year, I got the itch to reunite one last time as a ‘bucket list’ thing but unfortunately the three other original band members couldn’t make it work,” explains Donna. “So, I revived Screaming Nurse with new blood and even included my own daughter.”
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Joining the original singer will be Jenny Towns on drums; her son Jack on keys; Owen Paz on bass; Avery Davis on rhythm guitar and sax; Arianna Marucchi on lead guitar; and Sammi D on backing vocals.
Jack and Owen are well known to local music fans as members of the band Filled To The Brim, while Arianna performs with the Lower Tolpa Band. This is the first band experience for Jenny, Sammi and Avery.
Donna has done benefits for the humane society in the past and that commitment hasn’t wavered.
“I kept seeing how people were dumping their pets, and the amount of abuse cases rising. It all broke my heart,” she notes. “I have helped animal agencies in the past, and figured, let’s make the Screaming Nurse revival make a difference.”
Expect to hear songs from Ray’s personal influences, artists like Pat Benatar and Grace Slick, and, of course, their original hit, “Just A Man.” As a special treat, attendees will be treated to a 2022 Screaming Nurse original to be recorded after the fundraising event.
Raffles of baskets & gift cards are featured, along with a special raffle for a Robert Channing (AGT fame) signed large glitter painting. Raffle winners will be drawn at 9 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Screaming Nurse band revived for one-time humane society benefit show
