Female shredders are few and far between, and even harder to come by are those that play despite bleeding fingers. Delve into the New Brunswick music scene, however, and one is sure to find legions of fans who will attest that Marissa Paternoster fits that description and then some. She leads the punk-rock trio Screaming Females with soaring vocals and gritty guitar solos along with bassist King Mike and drummer Jarrett Dougherty. That’s right, only one member of the band is female, and her voice is not limited to screams. Their latest record is out April 7 on Don Giovanni Records, and in support of this, the band is embarking on a full U.S. tour with Throwing Muses. Catch them on March 27 at The Ambulance Building and again on April 20 at Death By Audio and be prepared to witness this generation’s Patti Smith.
Screaming Females have set themselves apart from the other bands in the New Brunswick scene with their unique brand of stripped-down rock. Paternoster’s voice is not that of a typical female, yet she delivers the lyrics with a woeful calm that stretches well beyond her 22 years. She also has no problem playing around with her effects pedals, and uses them to create solos so intricate that one can’t help but be drawn into her whirlwind. King Mike and Jarrett Dougherty comprise an above-average rhythm section, and they complement Paternoster with high-energy danceable beats that don’t overcrowd the songs. And although the band toured several major cities in 2007, it took some time to get themselves to that point. Since their start in 2005, they have already self-booked over 260 shows and self-released two full-lengths and a 7” and contributed to two splits. From recording to promotion, booking to merchandise; these New Jersey natives have done it all. Simply put, this band lives and breathes their music in every sense, and hopes to continue to do so by making music their one-and-only job. This dedication has earned them a multitude of devoted fans and significant praise throughout the country.
The Ambulance Building is located at 14 Sparta Lane, Sparta, NJ, and doors open at 7 p.m. Death By Audio is at 49 S. 2nd St. in Brooklyn, and doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets for both shows are $5 and all ages are welcome. For more information, visit screamingfemales.com or myspace.com/screaming females.