Formed in New Brunswick, NJ in 2005, Screaming Females have released seven full-length albums and toured across the world. At the center of it stands guitarist/vocalist Marissa Paternoster, who delivers vocals so powerful that it’s easy to let them fill our entire listening headspace. Although they are well worth the price of admission, it would be a shame to let it overshadow the remarkable songwriting and performances of the band.
This is especially apparent on their most recent double LP, All At Once, on which the band allowed themselves to take their time and explore their ideas. Songs are never rushed, and simply unfold as slowly or as quickly as needed, without ever forgoing their sense of urgency. Good ideas are given the opportunity to shine, as best outlined by album opener Glass House and its beautifully simple vocal-centered tension buildup.
We can also find Paternoster, who also signs the artwork on all Screaming Females releases, intermittently release solo material under the Noun moniker. Fans will appreciate its striped down, and lower-key instrumentation.
Screaming Females and Noun albums are available through Don Giovanni Records.
Name five songs that you consider “perfect songs” and explain why or what they mean to you.
- Cherub Rock by The SMASHING PUMPKINS – This is probably my favorite song. I think the lyrics have left a bit to be desired as I’ve grown older, but the sonic content of it has consistently resonated with me. Obviously guitar playing is a huge part of my life, and this tune has always been my template for a perfect guitar-driven song.
- Cry Cry Baby by NINA NASTASIA – It’s actually pretty hard to pick a perfect Nina Nastasia song, because there are so many. I think Cry Cry Baby encapsulates the unique capacity she has for crafting thoroughly heartbreaking songs with a few simple chords.
- I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts by X – X is an amazing band, and their lyrics have always been what stood out to me. X made me want to be a Punk. Even though this is one of their mellower tracks, this song of theirs has always stood out to me and I love the mantra of the chorus.
- Embrace by LOW – I love and celebrate a huge chunk of the Low discography, but Embrace will always be my favorite song by them. The peak of this song is absolutely devastating. The first time I heard it, it took my breath away.
- St. Ides Heaven by ELLIOTT SMITH – Again, it’s hard to pick a perfect Elliott track. I think that St. Ides Heaven is my favorite. It has all of the engaging elements of a song like Needle in the Hay without being as worn out. The lyrics are beautiful, as is the song.
Which music genre do you listen to the most?
I’d say it’s an even 50/50 split of melancholic singer/songwriter type stuff, and guitar-driven Indie/Punk Rock.
Your five favorite rappers of all time?
- Notorious BIG
- Big L
- Ms. Lauryn Hill / The Fugees
- Wu-Tang Clan
- Vince Staples
What’s the album you’ve listened to the most in your life? Do you still listen to it?
Hard to say! I’m pretty certain that Siamese Dream by SMASHING PUMPKINS has received the most rotations. I still listen to it, but not quite so often!
What are some of your favorite song lyrics? Lyrics that have been important to you or that had an impact on you?
“I Dream A Highway back to you, love / A winding river with a band of gold” – GILLIAN WELCH, I Dream A Highway
I recently heard that a lot of casual music listeners don’t necessarily pay attention much to song lyrics. I listen to them very intently, and there have been a couple of instances where I’ve been unable to stomach artists with lyrics that disagree with me. I’m not particularly sure why I love this Gillian Welch lyric so much, I guess it speaks to my wanderlust. I even have a little tattoo of it.
Do you have an absolute all time favorite band or musical artist? What makes them so special to you?
I’d never be able to choose. I love a lot of music, and my interest in different artists waxes and wanes as I grow older.
Do you remember the first time music had an impact on you?
Well, I’m a true blue millennial, and Rock And Roll wasn’t really a popular genre in my community when I was coming of age. I almost exclusively listened to Hot 97, which is, of course, NYC’s premier Hip Hop and R&B radio station. My first foray into any semblance of fandom was for DMX! I have a vivid recollection of making a powerpoint presentation about him – some real early 2000’s shit.
What were you listening to in elementary school? Then in high school? How much of that music is still a part of your playlists today? How have your musical tastes evolved since?
In high school I basically listened to anything that Kill Rock Stars put out, NIRVANA, HOLE, SMASHING PUMPKINS, RADIOHEAD, and PIXIES.
What beloved music do you share with your parents? Any specifics memories?
My Dad likes a lot of cool music. He introduced me to The CLASH, NIRVANA, LIZ PHAIR, and LUCINDA WILLIAMS. One of my favorite quotes from my father was when he came into my room, lowered Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness on my boom box, and in his thick Jersey accent said, “Look, I like Smashing Pumpkins as much as the next guy, but you gotta listen to some other stuff”
What are some of the most memorable shows you’ve ever seen? What makes them stand out?
The most powerful performances I’ve ever seen are almost always watching my friends and peers perform and do what they love. Nothing is better than that.
Is there any band that you’ve always wanted to see live but never had the chance to catch them? Any classic show that you wish you could have experienced?
I wish I had watched NINA NASTASIA when we played with her at the Electrical Audio block party a few years ago, but I wasn’t a fan yet. One of my favorite live videos is ELLIOTT SMITH playing with a full band at the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle, 2000. The setlist is great, and they sound wonderful.
What is the most impressive band you’ve toured with? The one that you just had to watch every night? Did you learn anything from them/by watching them?
We never toured with this band – but we played a few shows together. They don’t exist anymore, but they were called PARLOR, and they were from Carbondale, IL. They made one LP and one EP, both of which are absolutely amazing. I was completely blown away watching them play.
What are some of your all-time favorite music books and/or zines, documentaries, biopics?
My favorite “zine” is a monthly newsletter I get via the good ol’ USPS called Life Harvester, written by my old friend Colin Hagendorf. Colin was responsible for a very popular pizza review zine called “Slice Harvester”.
My favorite music documentary is, hands down, “The Making Of Pump” which is an unbearably, unspeakably awful, and EXTREMELY funny documentary about AEROSMITH making the record Pump.
Is there any classic / universally acclaimed artist that you missed out on when they first came out and discovered way later? Any artist that you didn’t like at first and learned to appreciate over time?
It took me a REALLY long time to get into BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, which is absolutely shameful because I’m from New Jersey. I don’t think I was properly indoctrinated into the Boss’ catalogue until I was in my 30’s. He was also an artist I initially found unpalatable – I just thought he sounded lame. I don’t know why, but once I heard Darkness On The Edge Of Town he had changed my mind.
Do you have an artist that you love in a genre that you don’t usually listen to? What makes them stand out?
EDITH PIAF! I am a huge Edith Piaf fan, but I don’t really listen to any other artists within the Cabaret genre.
Do you have any unpopular music opinion that you would like to defend? Something that you love and yet can hardly find anyone to agree on how great it is?
Hmmm, not really. I feel like most of the people I spend time with have really open minds when it comes to personal music preferences. I’ve little experience with anyone attacking music I like!
What band or artist do you believe has achieved the most flawless sequence of 3 records in a row?
NINA NASTASIA (Dogs, The Blackened Air, + Road to Ruin), FIONA APPLE (When The Pawn…,Extraordinary Machine, + The Idler Wheel), and ELLIOTT SMITH (S/T, Either/Or, + XO)
Can you think of a band or artist that put out only one fantastic release (album, EP or demo) and then disbanded? One that you really wish would have kept going?
I wish ROYAL HEADACHE would make more records! They had a song called So Low that I heard them play live a few times, and to this day I’m dying for a studio recording of that tune.
When shows are being played again, who do you want to see live first?
Honestly….seeing nearly anyone play live music at this point would probably bring me to tears!
What albums have been on heavy rotation lately?
SPECIAL INTEREST – The Passion Of. Very cool band out of New Orleans.
What are some up and coming artists that you would recommend?
SNAKESKIN is an infallible singer/songwriter out of New York. Their debut LP, Hangnail, is perfect, you can find it on State Champion Records.
What are you listening to right now, while answering these questions?
My terrier snoring. I’ve been having trouble listening to music lately, missing my community through punk has made casual music listening difficult.
1 Comment
Pantera Fan
April 9, 2021 at 17:32I saw screaming females in Dallas a couple of years ago, and they were AMAZING! I can’t wait to see them again