Friday, May 8, 2009
The Spin Screaming Females, JEFF the Brotherhood and Heavy Cream at The End 5/7/09
Posted by The Spin on Fri, May 8, 2009 at 10:45 AM
It's a lot of fun when you go see a band and then, later in the night after you and the band have had a few, you get to talking with the singer, and it turns out that even though she snarls and wails and thrashes her head around onstage like a woman at once possessed and in complete command, she's really approachable, sweet as pie, girl-next-door and all that. And if she's as much of a badass as Marissa Paternoster, it's also cool if she just kind of shrugs at you and walks away.
We went to The End Thursday night to see Paternoster's band, Screaming Females, and must admit that the reputation that precedes them is well-deserved. They tore shit apart.
More specifically, Paternoster shredded in a way that made us want to take back all the bad things we've said about "aimless" guitar solos, and the times we've used the word "noodling" disparagingly. Actually, what Paternoster does is not so much noodle as hit you in the face with a pot full of scalding hot ramen. When she's not doing all the snarling, wailing and thrashing about of the head we mentioned earlier. That is not to say this is some sort of sloppy, energy-instead-of-ideas band. They are a riffing, surging punk rock machine. With flames shooting out the exhaust pipes. And lightning bolts and a funnel cloud full of fire-breathing unicorns. OK, we're exaggerating now. They totally ruled our face off, though, and Paternoster's like some freak combination of J. Mascis and Carrie Brownstein. Badass.
We were going to say more about openers Heavy Cream, the punky new band featuring Jessica of MEEMAW. Unfortunately, they had some pretty crazy technical difficulties and we're not sure if some of those GBV-esque amp noise-blasts were intentional or the consequence of fucked-up gear. A friend of The Spin remarked, "They couldn't find another girl?" (The band is three-fourths female.) Then again, the dude who said that had a spray-on beard made of Good Looking Hair. Oh, and "Little" Jack Lawrence was there whoopin' it up with the kids, and JEFF the Brotherhood were great, but we say that a lot. (Both those things, actually.) 'Twas a mind ride, indeed--a sweaty, shirtless-guy-with-a-shaved-head-keeps-trying-to-start-a-pit mind ride at that.
Comments (16)
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Hey, she's might looks 12 to you, but to me she looks like a twentysomething who can play guitar better than anyone I've seen in weeks and weeks.
I said it before:
This band sounds exactly like Mocket. Except Mocket were doing it 15 years ago.
Females really did rip it. So did JTB, they were tighter than I've ever seen them. It makes a lot of sense that they made a split (which I bought last night) and are doing shows together. Anyone who was lucky enough to be at The End last night got a $50 show for $5.
i really like the fact that heavy cream isn't an all girl band, and that the only guy in the band is a bass player.
Sweet ! more news on bands 20 people in this city actually care about. Keep it up cream. You're the best !
Why do I still read this website ?
Because it's like a car accident.
I'm honestly, embarrassed.
Sincerely,
Boring.
You speak the truth yet again "boring".I'll bet if the guitarist from Jeff tried to played a solo like that his malnourished fingers would break.
"More specifically, Paternoster shredded in a way that made us want to take back all the bad things we've said about "aimless" guitar solos, and the times we've used the word "noodling" disparagingly. Actually, what Paternoster does is not so much noodle as hit you in the face with a pot full of scalding hot ramen."
So, 'guitar noodling' is NOW acceptable for what reason?? Because they are JEFF approved?
Think for yourselves for once, Nashville Cream!!! Marissa P. rocks on the guitar, for sure, but her solos aren't so different from your average metal head quasi-shredder. Seriously...
I guess since she has 'hipster' approval, that sets her above average 'wankery' apart?
I'm not trying to speak on behalf of the Spinner on this one, merely for myself. It's often the case that metal, jam, prog and psych acts use long-winded solos/wankery/noodling as the focal point of their songs. Paternoster, on the other hand, jumps into quick bursts of furious shredding that don't detract from the rest of the song and certainly don't go on for too long. And while she does her noodling, the rhythm section typically holds down a groove that's compelling in and of itself.
Even with her solos, the songs remain fluid, brief and interesting. That's why I personally find her playing compelling. I think, as far as wankery goes, the trick is to leave folks wanting more rather than slapping them in the face with your chops or milking a solo for far too long. That's just my humble opinion, anyway.
Plus, JEFF likes them! Hipster cred rules!
In other words,if actually being able to play fits into their clique then it's o.k.It's funny when you call these people out or their bull they don't even respond.I'm almost disappointed they havn't started calling people "haters".A blog with no emphasis on musical ability,and all emphasis on how you pose with an instrument is very entertaining.
I'm with you 'nothing'. This blog is a joke. You people should stick to your day jobs (working at an American Apparell???). Or throwing house shows at a secret location where 10 of JEFF's friends come and it gets blogged about. You guys are the best. Art rules!
Boring.
P.S. I wasn't going to post this, but then someone cool told me I should. I guess this is what everyone does now.
My favorite had to be the statement about how Warren Pash thinks their great by that Emily H. person.Dude that's the funniest shit i've heard in so long,actually using that to explain how Jeff is great and to justify in depth coverage of everytime this band changes it's underroos.The dude that wrote hits for Hall and Oats,not that they didn't have some great stuff,but you got to be kidding me!That writer get's the ultimate lame award for even thinking that!
Leave it to me and my 2 cents to bring gear nerd factiods into the convo... I think Ms. Paternoster's choice of instrument could say something. The G&L ASAT she's pictured with is more popular (correct me if I'm wrong) with studio musicians and backup band touring folk, whereas a beat-up Fender Strat would be a very logical choice if you want to try and manufacture street cred. Seems like it's more important to her to play a good show by not having her shit fall apart.
Sure, the guy from Jeff plays on three-string guitars and such, but kinda the same deal... that Sunn amp with the 15" speaker is no cardboard cutout. There's one of those in the Johnny Cash case at the Musician's Hall of Fame (with the bass rig, right?).
Of course it's all about what you do with your gear, but when you've chosen it with the doing in mind, it shows. Granted, I wasn't at the show, but I enjoyed the Screaming Females YouTube track posted here earlier. Jeff is cool, maybe not my favorite, but they do make me want to listen to God Ween Satan again :)
I noticed the G n L too... my favorite guitars. I think Patrick summed up why he likes Paternoster's style very well. I have to agree. I'll take a Dave Edmunds-esque solo in the confines of a succinct song arrangement over my cousin Carla's cassette bootleg of the Dead at Redrocks from 20 years back any day.
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