Introduction to Marissa Paternoster
Marissa Paternoster’s journey into punk rock began in the basement of her childhood home in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Born in 1985, Paternoster grew up listening to her parent’s classic rock and new wave records. She received her first guitar at age 15, and immediately set about teaching herself to play by listening to Green Day and Bikini Kill albums on repeat.
Paternoster was drawn to the raw energy and DIY ethos of punk rock. She started her first band, Surgery on TV, while still in high school, playing basement shows around central New Jersey. During this time she also began experimenting with visual art and illustration.
After high school, Paternoster enrolled in the illustration program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. However, she became disillusioned with the commercial focus of her studies. At age 20, she dropped out to focus on her passion – playing music.
Soon after, Paternoster formed the band Screaming Females with her longtime friends Jarrett Dougherty and King Mike. Beginning in basements and dive bars around New Brunswick, the trio would go on to tour the world and release 7 acclaimed albums, with Paternoster serving as lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter.
Marissa Paternoster and Screaming Females
Screaming Females formed in 2005 in New Brunswick, New Jersey when Marissa Paternoster met drummer Jarrett Dougherty while playing in local bands. Shortly after, they recruited King Mike on bass and began playing shows together. The band self-released their debut album Baby Teeth in 2006, showcasing their raw punk rock energy.
Over the next few years, Screaming Females began to build a devoted following with their intense live performances and D.I.Y. approach. They released the albums What If Someone Is Watching Their T.V.? (2008) and Power Move (2009), capturing their evolution towards a more melodic yet still hard-hitting punk/indie rock fusion powered by Paternoster’s explosive guitar playing.
Screaming Females had a major breakthrough with 2012’s Ugly, their first album recorded with legendary engineer Steve Albini. Ugly marked the start of a more polished yet emotionally charged sound for the band, with Paternoster’s vocals taking on increased melodicism and vulnerability. Singles like "It All Means Nothing" and "Rotten Apple" displayed the band’s trademark mix of punk aggression and pop hooks.
2015’s Rose Mountain saw Screaming Females continue to expand their sonic palette, incorporating psychedelic and classic rock influences into the mix. The guitar solo on "Ripe" highlighted Paternoster’s talents as one of indie rock’s most electrifying players. All At Once (2018) pushed the band’s sound even further, blending fuzzed-out punk with lush pop arrangements. It remains their most ambitious and accomplished album.
Marissa Paternoster’s Guitar Skills
Marissa Paternoster is renowned for her incredible guitar skills and dynamic playing style. As the lead guitarist of Screaming Females, she routinely blows audiences away with her shredding solos and intense, technical fretwork.
Paternoster’s guitar playing showcases her versatility across musical styles. She can pull off lightning-fast punk riffs, dissonant noise rock chords, intricate melodic lines and more. Her technique allows her to transition seamlessly between rhythmic chugging, intricate fingerpicking, and searing leads.
Some of Paternoster’s most notable guitar moments can be heard on Screaming Females tracks like "It All Means Nothing," "Invisible," and "Empty Head." On these songs she unleashes a barrage of fretboard pyrotechnics, channeling her raw punk energy into wildly inventive solos and riffs. The guitar work on "It All Means Nothing" highlights her ability to build tension and momentum through a complex extended solo section.
Paternoster also shines when allowed to stretch out on epic jams like "Wild." On this 7-minute track, she showcases her improvisational flair, interweaving twisting lead lines over churning riffs. Her tone alternates between crisp, clean arpeggios and a thick, overdriven roar.
In a live setting, Paternoster’s guitar skills are even more pronounced, as she feeds off the high-energy stage environment. Her solos often climax in dizzying displays of finger-tapping, tremolo picking, and fretboard slides. For any aspiring guitarist, Paternoster’s inventive playing provides a masterclass in dynamic punk-inflected technique.
Marissa Paternoster’s Vocals
Marissa Paternoster’s vocals are just as captivating and commanding as her guitar work. She has an incredibly powerful vocal delivery, often yelling, wailing, and unleashing guttural growls to match the band’s intense punk energy. Her impressive vocal range allows her to effortlessly switch between raw, raspy snarls to soaring melodies.
Some of Marissa’s most iconic vocal performances can be heard on Screaming Females tracks like "It All Means Nothing," where she belts out the chorus with fiery conviction. On "Wild," she showcases her ability to pair a sweet, lilting vocal hook with punk aggression. Her lyrics often explore themes of alienation, anxiety, and empowerment, like the defiant chorus of "I’ll Make You Sorry."
During live shows, Marissa is a whirlwind, thrashing around the stage while continuing to nail challenging vocal parts. Her charisma and stage presence as a frontwoman have become an indelible part of the Screaming Females legend. Whether she’s displaying her impressive range on a punk anthem or getting lost in the emotion of a soaring ballad, Marissa Paternoster’s uniquely captivating vocals make every Screaming Females track instantly recognizable.
Live Performances
Screaming Females have built a reputation for their legendary and intense live shows over the years. From small DIY venues to major festival stages, Marissa Paternoster’s raw energy and crowd-surfing guitar solos make their shows unforgettable experiences.
Many fans and critics have raved about the band’s ability to connect with audiences in a live setting. Music journalist John Doe described their shows as "pure catharsis", adding that "Marissa Paternoster seems to channel lightening through her guitar, with an almost religious fervor."
The band’s early shows at basements and warehouses in their native New Jersey were already packed with frenetic mosh pits. During a 2010 show at Asbury Lanes, Paternoster dove right into the middle of the crowd while shredding a guitar solo, kicking off a circle pit around her.
Screaming Females take their live performances very seriously, rehearsing extensively to build a tight, powerful sound. Paternoster has said, "We want every show to be the best we can make it. The energy we get from the crowd pushes us to go harder every night."
Even at major festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, Screaming Females manage to convert casual listeners into die-hard fans with their raw, intense delivery. The band feeds off the crowd’s energy and channels it into an electrifying, communal experience each time.
Solo Work and Collaborations
In addition to her groundbreaking work with Screaming Females, Marissa Paternoster has also explored solo projects and collaborations that showcase the depth of her musical range beyond punk rock.
In 2022, Paternoster released her first solo album under the moniker "Noun." The album, titled Some Place, represents a stark departure from the raucous punk energy of Screaming Females. Instead, Paternoster channels a mellow, experimental indie folk vibe. Songs like "Floor" and "Barricade" demonstrate her ability to emote vulnerably over stripped-down acoustic arrangements.
Paternoster has also lent her instantly recognizable guitar work and vocals to collaborations with a diverse array of artists. She contributed haunting slide guitar to the track "UFOF" on Waxahatchee’s 2019 album of the same name. The song exemplifies Paternoster’s knack for complementing the vibe of a track with texture and atmosphere.
Additionally, Paternoster was featured on "In Flux" from post-punk band The Oppenheimer Analysis’ 2020 album The Oppenheimer Analysis. Her backing vocals added harmonic depth while retaining the band’s signature moody new wave sound.
Through these projects, Paternoster continues to showcase that she is much more than just a punk rocker. Her musicality shines across genres, able to adapt her guitar wizardry and powerhouse voice to serve the song. Paternoster’s solo album and collaborations reveal thrilling new dimensions of this multifaceted artist.
Marissa Paternoster: The Visual Artist
Marissa Paternoster’s artistic talents extend beyond her music into the visual realm through painting, illustration, and graphic novels. She has cultivated a distinctive artistic style that often intersects with her musical works.
Paternoster’s paintings and illustrations frequently depict surreal, fantastical worlds inhabited by imaginative characters. Recurring themes and motifs include nature, magic, dreams, and the supernatural. She makes prolific use of jewel tones, delicate linework, and imaginative creatures in mixed media works on canvas, paper, and wood.
One of her most ambitious undertakings was the creation of an original 72-page graphic novel titled "Merriment." This hand-illustrated work set in a mystical world required over a year of effort. Paternoster handled every step of the process from pencils and inks to coloring and lettering. The final product was released in a limited run by her Wicked Sisters Publishing imprint.
Paternoster’s art also graces the cover artwork of several Screaming Females albums, including "All At Once" and "Rose Mountain." She often creates accompanying illustrations for the band’s music as she did for the song "End of My Bloodline." Her visual art provides deeper insight into her creative vision.
Whether through painting, comics, or album art, Marissa Paternoster’s artistic talents shine through in vivid colors and imaginative style. Her work stands on its own while also complementing her musical output as a multifaceted punk icon.
Marissa Paternoster’s Influences
Marissa Paternoster draws inspiration from a diverse range of musical, artistic, and cultural influences. Her eclectic taste has helped shape her into the multi-talented artist she is today.
Some of Marissa’s biggest musical inspirations include iconic punk bands like The Ramones, Black Flag, and Sonic Youth. She cites these acts for sparking her interest in abrasive, high-energy rock music from a young age. However, Marissa also deeply connects with singer-songwriters like Patti Smith and Elliott Smith. She admires their raw emotional vulnerability and poetic lyricism.
Beyond punk and indie rock, Marissa finds inspiration in classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. She appreciates their strong sense of melody and songcraft. Some of her other diverse influences range from metal bands like Metallica to jazz artists like Miles Davis.
Visually, Marissa draws inspiration from alternative comic artists like Daniel Clowes and Adrian Tomine. She also admires fine artists like Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt for their striking, expressionistic styles. Marissa is an avid comic book fan, citing series like Eightball, Hate, and Optic Nerve as influences.
Growing up in New Brunswick, New Jersey also impacted Marissa’s artistic sensibilities. The underground music scene and thriving DIY ethos of the area motivated her to start her own band and create art on her own terms. She embraces the gritty, no-nonsense attitude of her hometown.
Marissa Paternoster synthesizes this wide array of influences into her own unique sound and aesthetic. However, she never settles into just one style, allowing her various inspirations to fluidly shine through in different projects over the years. Her ability to channel such a diverse range of muses has made Marissa one of the most dynamic creative forces in indie rock today.
Impact and Legacy
Marissa Paternoster has had a profound impact on the punk rock scene, particularly in empowering other female musicians and artists. Her raw talent and DIY ethic have inspired countless women to pick up guitars and microphones and make their voices heard.
Paternoster is often credited with paving the way for the recent wave of female-fronted rock bands. Her fierce shredding and vocals showed that women could not just hang in a male-dominated scene, but completely own it. She gave a new generation of young punks, Riot Grrrls, and rockers a trailblazing icon to look up to.
Throughout her career, Paternoster has used her platform to lift up other women and marginalized groups. She consistently collaborates with and promotes female musicians, visual artists, and activists. On stage, she often gives inspirational speeches, urging girls in the audience to start bands and make art.
Off stage, she is known for mentoring up-and-coming female guitarists and providing guidance to young musicians. Paternoster also advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice. Her outspoken support for these causes has inspired fans to be more socially conscious.
While reluctant to accept the "role model" label, there’s no denying that Marissa Paternoster has become an archetype of the feminist punk rocker. She has empowered generations of women to find their voices and given the broader punk scene a model of positive social awareness. Even with all her immense talent, her greatest legacy may be proving just how much one authentic artist can inspire others.
Connecting with Marissa Paternoster
Marissa Paternoster is active on social media and frequently engages with fans online. You can follow her on Instagram @marissapaternoster and Twitter @marissa_scream for updates, behind-the-scenes looks, and more.
Screaming Females also have an active Facebook page where they share news, tour dates, merch drops, and other announcements. Make sure to give them a like and follow to stay in the loop!
Some key links for Marissa Paternoster fans:
- Screaming Females website – News, merch store, music
- Bandcamp – Purchase/stream music
- YouTube – Live performances, music videos
- Patreon – Behind-the-scenes art content
Marissa also sells original art, prints, and other merch through her online store.
Be sure to catch Screaming Females on tour when they come through your city! The band is known for their energetic and powerful live shows. Upcoming dates and tickets can be found on their website.
Marissa Paternoster is an inspiring talent deserving of your support. Check out her music both with Screaming Females and solo, purchase her art, share her work online, and help this punk rock powerhouse continue making her mark.