Screaming Females
28th May 2019
Whammy! Bar, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review and photography by Sarah Kidd.
New Jersey darlings Screaming Females returned to our shores last night for the first time in three years, their brand-new album All at Once part of their current repertoire that they dropped on the audience like a ten-tonne brick.
Supported by not one, but two local acts, BITCHMAGIC was a trio who brought forth specific powers to the stage; Nicole (Gaffney of Carb on Carb) strength, Xanthe, bravery and Billie, heart, three elements that certainly came to the forefront of their set as they weaved their melodious magic. Last night’s set was a live first for BITCHMAGIC, so it was understandable that the intent of some of the tracks at times seemed unsure of themselves; however, the seed of creation has most certainly taken to ground, its roots fed with the vitality of thoughtful song writing that promises to grow into something dazzling.
With songs that base themselves in a stew of punk rock seasoned with shoegaze, alt-rock and just a hint of grunge, one of the most appealing aspects of BITCHMAGIC live was watching the three members move within their pyramid of bass, guitar and drums, exchanging instruments as they went; a cover of Cherry Glazerrs ‘White’s not My Colour this Evening’ rounding the set out nicely. A band certainly worthy of keeping an eye out for on upcoming bills…
REPAIRS on the other hand are another Auckland based trio that have already made their mark, their music according to the band itself suitable for anyone who happens to be a fan of Mourn, METZ or IDLES. Consisting of James, Marty and Nic on drums, guitar and bass respectively they have just released a new single entitled ‘Thanks for the Advice’, a razor-sharp little ditty that has a delicious dirty riff that went down well with those in attendance.
Compiled from the remnants of God Bows to Math and Lost Rockets, REPAIRS sound is that of self-described ‘emo-post-pop’, with a healthy dollop of angst. Live, REPAIRS are a fascinating watch, Marty and Nic acting as two halves of one whole; Nic the anchor to Marty as he twists and bounds back and forth from the mic, igniting riffs as he does so. Definitive highlight of the set had to be ‘Compromise’, a track that had a brilliant vocal call and response running between Marty and Nic as the music swirled about them. A few very minor technical difficulties the only blemish on an otherwise outstanding set.
Marissa Paternoster. To be fair, any review of a live performance of the Screaming Females could begin and end on those two words, a name on a piece of paper, a guitar goddess in person.
Hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Screaming Females formed in 2005, their mix of punk/indie and alt rock seeing them expand from their humble beginnings of basement shows to now having released seven albums, their latest, one that sees Paternoster shine not only on guitar where she has always impressed but vocally as well.
Accompanied by drummer Jarrett Dougherty and Mike ‘King Mike’ Abbate on bass, Screaming Females wasted no time delving straight into their new material with ‘I’ll Make You Sorry’ that instantly got the audience dancing – something that most would continue to do throughout the entirety of the set – the melodic track with a 90’s emo style chorus hosting a breakdown that thrust Paternoster into the spotlight as she effortlessly delivered her first solo of the evening.
Selecting one from the back catalogues, ‘I Don’t Mind It’ from 2010’s Castle Rock was a chance for King Mike to strut his stuff on bass, which he does so while calmly wandering a semi-circle path between the front of the stage and Dougherty’s drum kit. Paternoster coming in over the top with a simple riff that plays against her higher octave swoops.
As the only female and main vocalist for the band, all eyes are often trained on Paternoster, her vocals like a giant melting pot of Deal, Joplin and Mitchell as well as her own unique treatment which falls to a monotone low volume when addressing the audience. No, Paternoster isn’t big on banter, but then she doesn’t need to be when she communicates everything that needs to be said so well through her mic and fender.
Now in her early thirties, Paternoster has known King Mike for the last seventeen years, Dougherty for thirteen and frankly it shows; like a handcrafted dovetail joint, the trio seamlessly fit together. Concentrating mainly on material from All at Once, ‘Fantasy Lens’ brings forth more of those infectious riffs, ‘Step Outside’ bookending another dip into the past with ‘Halfway Down’ from 2009’s ‘Power Move’. ‘Bird in Space’ peels back the raucous energy for a moment as Paternosters whimsical vocals sees the crowd sway back and forth, those who already have the album carved into their cerebral core singing along. ‘Agnes Martin’ deemed one of the best tracks from All at Once makes the setlist cut, as does ‘Glass House’, a track with presence that speaks of control through the powerful vocal howls of Paternoster, the song returning to punchy instrumentals that perforate.
By the end of the set Dougherty is grimacing like a madman as he hammers out the accompanying percussion, the band finishing up on ‘Empty Head’. Paternoster mutters her thanks to all involved before laying her guitar down tenderly on the stage floor, the fans calling for ‘just one more’ as she does so. This prompted Screaming Females to loosely huddle, where nods were exchanged and ‘Ripe’ from Rose Mountain took the audience for one last spin.
Screaming Females spend much of their life on the road, yet their music has lost none of its tattered edges or crooked smile, the heart and soul of it still just as ardent as it always has been. With another four shows to go, including three in the South Island, Screaming Females are guaranteed to become your new favourite live act.
Were you there at Whammy! Bar for this bad-ass punk-rock gig? Or have you seen Screaming Females perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Screaming Females Setlist:
- I’ll Make You Sorry
- I Don’t Mind It
- Fantasy Lens
- Halfway Down
- Step Outside
- Bird In Space
- Chamber For Sleep (Part One)
- Boss
- Agnes martin
- Glass House
- Empty Head
- Ripe [encore]
Repairs Setlist:
- Stop/Start
- Thanks For The Advice
- Eyes Closed
- Sacred
- Punk
- Compromise
- Drones
- Cut To The Chase
BITCHMAGIC Setlist:
- Sick One
- No Aloha
- Crazy Bleeding
- Crimson Tide
- Breaking Out (Hormonal Acne)
- White’s Not My Colour This Evening [Cherry Glazerr cover]
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