Indie rock? Sure, whatever you want to call it. The Screaming Females remind me a lot of Sleater-Kinney for two reasons. First, their sound leans more towards harder rock played with determination. Second, Marissa Paternoster’s voice is unmistakeable. The classifications and influences aside all you really need to know is that the Screaming Females rock and you should go see them.
Michael Abbate on bass and Jarrett Dougherty on Guitar played wonderfully in sync and set the foundation for the band’s sonic experience. They play with a confidence that sets the stage for Paternoster’s guitar to rip and riff as she wishes. More importantly it grounds their songs as Paternoster’s voice pierces the music and commands your attention.
The highlight of the show was “Glass House,” off the new album All at Once.
The first part of the song began with Paternoster on stage alone as the rest of the band took a breather. As she began, the song allowed Paternoster to showcase her talent as a powerful singer. Her voice overflowed with sorrow, supported only by her melancholy guitar. Abbate and Dougherty joined her on stage and the song soars into the refrain “my life is this glass house/ impossible to get out.” That song was something special and confirmed that the Screaming Females are only expanding their talents and continuing to bring their fans new music that stands on its own.