Screaming Females: New Jersey's band in a time of 'all-encompassing fear'

Screaming Females have been one of the most consistent forces in rock 'n' roll for nearly 15 years.

The New Brunswick trio has traveled the D.I.Y. route since 2005, going from the campus of Rutgers University to stages around the world and releasing seven studio LPs, a live album, an EP and last year's "Singles Too" compilation in the process.

"When we started the band, we wanted to be career musicians. We wanted to strive for sustainability. We wanted to be the sort of band that other musicians could admire and appreciate and also be good, decent people that really care about what we do," said singer and guitarist Marissa Paternoster.

"There have been instances where we've probably burnt the candle at both ends, but because we do strive towards sustainability everything we do is very pragmatic and thought out."

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The Don Giovanni Records band, also including drummer Jarrett Dougherty and bassist Michael Abbate, creates an ever-evolving sonic landscape of smartly thunderous underground rock fueled by a blue collar, get-it-done work ethic.

"I think that there's a very common misconception that artists feel continually inspired," said Paternoster. "A lot of why we do what we do is because we deeply care about it. It is technically our occupation. We feel compelled to make things together, and I think the records that we've made together keep changing in a way that keeps us engaged and interested in the project that is Screaming Females.

"And if that were to ever stop, then we would call it. But so far, it's just been a joy. I've been able to make records that I am proud of and see the world and make tons of good friends. There's not much more I could ask out of life than that."

Screaming Females continues its year tradition of February engagements in Jersey City with the Annual Garden Party, happening at White Eagle Hall on Saturday, Feb. 22. Mal Blum, No Men and Radioactivity are also on the bill.

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There's something about the sonic brew of Screaming Females — Dougherty and Abbate's deft, foundational rhythm section supporting Paternoster's revelatory guitar work and raw vocals — that seems particularly well-suited to the troubles of life in the modern age.

The band is able to channel any number of collective anxieties and fears into a collective act of rock catharsis. When, on "Step Outside" — the closing track on the band's most recent new album, 2018's "All At Once" — Paternoster laments being "sick with worry just knowing when you step outside you won't be safe now," she's wailing on behalf of the masses.

Take an inside look at Screaming Females' 2018 album "All at Once" in this video interview:

"I think there is a really cathartic element when ti comes to acknowledging things that are very pervasive fears with your peers, and that can also serve as a catalyst to try to figure out how to help one another navigate through that fear," Paternoster said. "Obviously the world is an extremely scary place right now, and I guess in lieu of either being pedantic or trying to be verbose or very poetic about that sort of all-encompassing fear, I just actually wrote down exactly how I felt which, across the board, is probably a little more relatable."

Screaming Females

What: Annual Garden Party also featuring Mal Blum, No Men and Radioactivity

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22

Where: White Eagle Hall, 337 Newark Ave., Jersey City

Tickets: $20 in advance, $22 day of the show

Info: screamingfemales.com