Q&A: Screaming Females

The second half of 2010 is shaping up to be a busy time for New Brunswick, N.J. natives Screaming Females. The trio of frontwoman/guitarist Marissa Paternoster, bassist King Mike and drummer Jarrett Dougherty are about to embark on an extensive U.S. and European toured lined up that will take them through the fall and they are releasing their fourth album, Castle Talk, on Don Giovanni Records. Recently, FILTER caught up with the band to discuss their background in the New Brunswick basement scene, the reason behind their decision to sign with Don Giovanni and what the trio is looking forward to most at the FYF Fest in Los Angeles on Labor Day weekend.


Marissa and Mike, having been in bands together since high school and having several lineup changes, what stood out Jarrett's drumming that has made him permanently a part of your band. What's the magic that he brings to the band that the others didn't?

Marissa: Mike and I were only in one band before Screaming Females. We were called Surgery on TV and we only lasted for about six months. I guess I haven't really played with a lot of different drummers, I'm really happy we lucked out and found a drummer like Jarrett. He's got snazzy ideas and he plays melodically which works out really well for Screaming Females!

Mike: Jarrett is leaps and bounds beyond what we were working with. Unlike our drummer in Surgery on TV, Jarrett brought plenty of suggestions and ideas to the table whereas our other drummer played the same beat through every single song. I think the first time we played with Jarrett, we both agreed that he was going to be in our band. Marissa and I both learned how to play music with other people from the same person: our math teacher Mr. Ciliberto. Mr. C was way into Phish and Medeski Martin and Wood. He would make us jam along to Phish songs against our will. Jarrett had a similar musical background having actually liked those bands so I think that might have something to do with the chemistry between the three of us. Jarrett is also the most level headed and responsible person in this band and without him we could never have done a single record or tour or perhaps even play a show. I owe my life to Jarrett.


The New Brunswick basement scene has helped catapult bands like The Ergs!, The Bouncing Souls, Thursday and Midtown. How has this helped you release your music to the under-21 crowd and would you agree that this scene has helped you build a younger, core following?

Marissa: Playing in basements in New Brunswick is borne out of necessity. There isn't a viable alternative to basement shows in New Brunswick so the kids built their own venues. It's pretty neat.

Jarrett: I think it’s a large misconception that all-ages show mean under 21 shows. I think that all ages shows at DIY venues allowed us to play for all different types of people, age or otherwise.


Your third album, Power Move showed a huge maturation in your songwriting. What were some of the biggest differences in making this album as compared to the first two?

Marissa: I'm not sure if it'd be a good thing for a band to regress in terms of songwriting as they grow older. I hope we keep making interesting music as time goes on and that nice new people will enjoy our records.

Mike: I think that's just part of playing music with the same people for so long.... I feel like we have some sort of psychic-mind-meld-music-making-mastery between the three of us.

Jarrett: Having the engineer, Eric Bennett, involved in that project as well as on our new record, Castle Talk, was a huge help. He brought in new ideas and new sounds that we might not have thought of otherwise.


After self-releasing your first albums, you guys were approached by several labels and eventually signed with Don Giovanni Records in New Brunswick. What made you decide to work with Don Giovanni as opposed to any of the independent labels that are popping up all over the greater New York-New Jersey region?

Mike: Joe and Zach are our friends. We like to work with our friends.


The FYF Festival is a big festival here in Los Angeles. What do you guys have planned for the your performance? Are there any bands you are excited to share the bill with?

Marissa: I'm going to enter the stage atop a white horse, playing a custom neon green plexiglass Ibanez whilst wearing a coconut bra and a grass skirt. Aside from that, I'm just gonna make certain that my stupid pedals work.

Mike: I plan on asking Wavves for weed. If they give me some then I'll probably be way psyched for the Sleep set. I'm also really excited about Davila 666 I haven't seen them since we played in Puerto Rico last year.