New Jersey indie-punk trio, Screaming Females, have shared lead single, ‘Mourning Dove,’ from their album, Desire Pathway, released on Don Giovanni Records on 17th February. ‘Mourning Dove’ channels the Pixies in a dynamic, driving power-pop song that passionately declares “my love for you is too strong to hide.”
Lead singer and guitarist Marissa explains, “It is seldom that any Screaming Females song is about just one thing. Mourning Dove is the only exception that I can really think of; a song about being profoundly in love, while simultaneously being profoundly heartbroken.”
Formed in 2005 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Screaming Females have consistently created a surprising mix of indie-, alt-, punk- and stoner-rock, all with their original line-up of vocalist and guitarist Marissa Paternoster, “King Mike” Mike Abbate (bass) and Jarrett Dougherty (drums). Speaking of the band, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna said,” Marisssa Peternoster is one of the best guitar players alive.”
Latest album, ‘Desire Pathway’, was recorded at Minnesota’s Pachyderm Studios, where Nirvana recorded In Utero, and produced by Matt Bayles (Pearl Jam, Mastodon, Foxing etc) Dazzling and full, the album captures the band at a time when nothing was certain other than their abiding desire to make music together.
Desire Pathway opens with the Sabbath style hypnotism of “Brass Bell.” Following a swelling haze of synth, feedback shrieks, martial snares advance, and the band explodes into a bracing groove. Soon, Paternoster makes the cryptic announcement: “I have flown us to the moon,” and we’re off. The song has the effect of clearing one haze and replacing it with a much heavier one.
Compared with their previous record (2018’s expansive All at Once), Desire Pathway feels refreshed and direct. Now seventeen years and eight albums in, Screaming Females are still making their own path in the world, still touring DIY and releasing music without compromise. The route may cut a little off the main road, but listeners will quickly see there’s a reason they’ve taken this path and will probably like where it takes them.
Stream and order Desire Pathway HERE and see them on tour across Europe and the in June. See below for details:
EU/UK TOUR DATES 2023
June
05 – Cologne, DE – Bumann & SOHN
06 – Berlin, DE – Kantine am Berghain
07 – Hamburg, DE – Hafenklang (Goldener Salon)
08 – Groningen, NL – VERA
09 – Brussels, BE – Botanique (Rotonde)
10 – Paris, FR – Supersonic
12 – Brighton, UK – Hope & Ruin
13 – Bristol, UK – Rough Trade
14 – London, UK – Oslo
15 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
16 – Glasgow, UK – Nice N Sleazy
17 – Manchester, UK – YES
Screaming Females
