ZapTown

[Article by Karen Shaver.]

Screaming Females
Singles
Don Giovanni

Link: http://www.screamingfemales.com/

Screaming Females Singles is a kaleidoscope, each song on the LP transforms into its own image in the form of pure rejuvenating punk rock. Yes, it has that old-school punk rock beat, but there is something more in this band’s sound beyond aggressive catchy punk rock swagger and riffs.

Arm over Arm the poppiest of the 6 tunes, opens with a strong bass line which embraces the appearance of being a sweet ditty with some simple guitar riffs, until guitar goddess and songstress Marissa Paternoster stops singing the chorus for a few seconds to wail on her guitar.  Paternoster plays her guitar as if she were pulled from the womb with it clutched in her arms. Marissa looks like herself, sounds like herself and plays her guitar unlike I’ve ever seen or heard. Combined with tight percussion by Jarrett Dougherty and technically inclined bassist King Mike, Screaming Females are completely in tune with one another and hit the trifecta with their brilliant timing and wall of sound.

Zoo Of Death, an enigmatic tune, reveals Marissa as she uses a scientific method towards utilizing her effects pedals.  Whenever a song approaches a break for a solo one might hold their breath in anticipation as there is no telling what she will do with her fingertips and the ball of her foot next.  She is a brilliant guitarist with a talent reminiscent of many genius musicians whose sound also is in a realm of their own. I dare not compare them to another. Cortez The Killer (a song that literally brought me to tears)  and No Being Disgusting, have all of the fervor you would expect from a band called The Screaming Females, with a ton of screaming involved but glorious screaming at that.

Singles deserves to be an iconic art punk LP that will shape and mold many young musicians who hope to wield such powerful music from their souls and fingertips as this band does!  It will be a pleasure to watch The Screaming Females progress, as it is bound to happen to any truly great punk rock and roll band!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (32.4MB)