PHOTOS: Screaming Females Played White Eagle Hall with Mal Blum, Radioactivity, No Men, 2/22/20. On Tour Now with PUP.

Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females by Rose Lamela

Garden Party

Most words and all pics by Rose Lamela

This is my fourth February seeing Screaming Females start the year off with a live show, and they always bring a good lineup along. The fact that they played one of my favorite venues, White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, made it even more special. They shared the stage with No Men, Radioactivity, and Mal Blum.

No Men

Radioactivity

Mal Blum

It was Screaming Females' Annual Garden Party and the show was sold out. I could hardly move from the spot I got in the front of the stage, but I managed to get some photos. The highlight of the night for me was my first time hearing Screaming Females play "Boyfriend" live. I've got to say that they are still my favorite band to see live. They always deliver to a full house of loyal fans, and it feels good to be a part of that.

Screaming Females

CoolDad Notes

I'll concur with Rosi on a few things:

• White Eagle Hall is great. I've said it before. They have been wonderful and accommodating to this site ever since they opened.
• Same goes for Screaming Females. We're coming up on 8 years since they first blew me away with their set at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park; and, ever since, they have been true friends to CoolDad Music.
• "Boyfriend" was a highlight for me as well. Marissa Paternoster handed her guitar to the crowd and threw the full force of her being into delivering the song. At one point, a helpful fan unplugged the guitar and set it gingerly on the stage only to have Paternoster walk back over, plug it back in, and send it back on its way into the hands of the audience.

Other stuff:

• I don't know. In my old age, I'm less about fighting for a spot up front and staying there all night to shoot shows. It's a good thing, I think, that I'm getting back to the point where I can enjoy shows without a camera in my hands.
• On that point, Rosi has been an invaluable contributor here. She's a fantastic photographer, and she always brings her unique voice to her posts.
• This was a typically solid line-up curated by Screaming Females. It was my first time seeing both No Men and Radioactivity, and both bands were great. Mal Blum is someone we've followed here for a long time, and they've just gotten more and more rocking with each passing year.
• State Champion Records put together an after-party at the tiny Wine Bar in the basement of Pet Shop JC just a few blocks away. That was packed to the gills for Vacation and Unclaimed Diamonds. People hanging from the pipes and lighting things on fire (I didn't find the fire thing particularly cool or intelligent if I'm being honest). Really dark in there, so no pics
• Check out all of Rosi's pics at Flickr.
• Screaming Females are currently on tour with PUP:

New Stuff from Old Friends: Lowlight, Dentist, Screaming Females

Friends & Family

Some CoolDad Music mainstays have been putting out some cool stuff lately, and I decided to get off my ass and tell you about it.

Lowlight, "Coastlines"

Lowlight had a big summer. August saw the band head out on a jaunt around the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. They released their fantastic Endless Bummer LP on September 13th, and they capped everything off with a triumphant weekend at Asbury Park's Sea.Hear.Now. Festival just as the summer was officially drawing to a close.

Well, there was one more thing. As September gave way to October, Lowlight released the video for Endless Bummer and live set standout, "Coastlines." Using footage gathered from that August tour, the band give us a glimpse into life on the road and time spent with friends. The song is a twangy, rocking rambler that I've loved from the moment I first heard it. It's the perfect soundtrack to Lowlight's mini road movie and, really, to any of life's literal or figurative journeys.

And we get some bonus RockNRoll Hi-Fives in there, too.

Lowlight will be at The Saint in Asbury Park on Halloween with America Part Two, Shred Flintstone, Idle Wave, and Blaise.

Endless Bummer is out now on Telegraph Hill / Gruesome Twosome.



Dentist, "Someone Like You"

At our show with A Giant Dog, Dentist, and The RockNRoll Hi-Fives at The Saint back in July, Dentist treated us to a new song they'd been working on. They took "Someone Like You" into Oceanport's Simple Sound Studio; and, yesterday, the band released the single accompanied by a new video.

"Someone Like You," like a lot of Dentist tracks, presents a sunny, smiling face to the world; while something slightly more melancholy sits just beneath the surface. Dentist have their sound so dialed in at this point that creating dreamy, reverby, crunchy pop seems almost effortless for them.

The Sean Bell-directed video reveals that Dentist's pop expertise doesn't translate to home improvement. The clip features power tools, an attempt to hammer a screw into a block of wood, and comedic gore. It's also probably the only 3-minute song to feature a lunch break.

Dentist are currently out on tour with Brick + Mortar. That run makes its final stop at the new Lanes on 11/2.

"Someone Like You" is available now from Cleopatra Records via your digital platform of choice.



Screaming Females, "Ancient Civilization"

Here's something I probably should have told you about by now, but I'm getting in just under the wire. This Friday, 10/18, Screaming Females will release Singles Too via Don Giovanni Records. The collection brings together around 15 years' worth of non-album tracks including early 7-inches and digital-only releases. Download and CD versions of the album will add 6 covers, including songs originally done by Neil Young, Taylor Swift, and Patti Smith.

This morning, Screaming Females released the final pre-release track, "Ancient Civilization." The song originally appeared, I think, on a 2013 split with Wisconsin's Tenement (which I own). It's a doomy storm of Marissa Paternoster guitar heroics from right around that time when I took my buddy to see Screaming Females, Tenement, and Waxahatchee at the old Asbury Lanes and he just about lost his shit.

Screaming Females have a couple of area shows this weekend. They play a set at OctFest 2019 at Knockdown Center in Queens on Saturday, 10/19. On Sunday, 10/20, the band headline the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market after party at Championship Bar and Grill with Dusk and Freya Wilcox & The Howl.

Singles Too is out Friday, 10/18, via Don Giovanni.

What's Been Going On?

Titus Andronicus at Rough Trade NYC

So, What Have I Been Up To?

I always kinda hate reading blog posts that are like, "Sorry. I know I haven't posted in a while." But, sorry...?

For a variety of reasons, I haven't been feeling the fire that I used to around here. Some of it is feeling the need to maintain some perspective about what's important in life. Some of it is probably just age. Some of it is wanting to spend more time with the coolfamily before the cooldaughters start to move on to the next big phases in their lives. Some of it is... ...well, I don't really know.

I felt a little surge of inspiration around Father's Day Weekend with shows from Sweet Spirit / High Waisted, William Tyler / Renee Maskin. Then, later that week, I got out to a great show with White Reaper, TWEN, and Dentist. It felt like I was getting back in the groove.

Sweet Spirit at Rough Trade NYC

High Waisted at Rough Trade NYC

William Tyler at The Saint

Renee Maskin at The Saint

Dentist at Wonder Bar

TWEN at Wonder Bar

White Reaper at Wonder Bar

The following weekend, I hit both local release shows with Titus Andronicus for An Obelisk. I got to watch and talk to my favorite band. I took a bunch of pretty cool pictures. But I never got around to saying anything about the shows. Same for the excellent Happy Mondays that week with Daddies, QWAM, and Shut Up.

Titus Andronicus at Rough Trade NYC

Titus Andronicus at Rough Trade NYC

Titus Andronicus at vintage Vinyl

QWAM at Wonder Bar

Shut Up at Wonder Bar

Daddies at Wonder Bar

As usual, though, our fantastic contributors, Henry and Rosi, kept the content coming with Henry's reviews and a truly in-depth interview with Chris Stamey and Rosi's coverage of Screaming Females and Swearin' at Brooklyn's Industry City. Tom Barrett also honored us with the opportunity to premiere his solo EP, Three Songs.

Screaming Females by Rose Lamela at Industry City

Swearin' by Rose Lamela at Industry City

This past weekend, CoolMom and I hit the heartwarming (and body-roasting) show with The RockNRoll Hi-Fives and Mulch (who we all know by now is Dentist, right?) at Asbury Park Yacht Club; and I made a last-minute decision to catch Potty Mouth and Colleen Green at Asbury Park Brewery on Sunday night. That was a good call. More pictures.

"Mulch" at APYC

The RockNRoll Hi-Fives at APYC

Potty Mouth at Asbury Park Brewery

Colleen Green at Asbury Park Brewery

I've also been listening to lots of stuff including new albums from Pip Blom, Mannequin Pussy, Rick Barry, and of course Titus Andronicus. Reviews haven't been coming as easily as they used to, but I plan on writing something about at least a couple of these.

Anyway...

What am I saying? I'm not sure, really. I've toyed with the idea of saying that, for all intents and purposes, I'm done here; but I don't think that's the right call. It's been fun spending more time at home with the coolfamily, riding my bike, and watching my Yankees / Mets games; but I also love taking and editing pictures. And almost nothing makes me happier than the feeling of being at a live performance for a band that I love. Every one of those shows I mentioned above elevated my frame of mind for, at least, a little while.

So, I guess, I'm going to keep doing whatever it is I've been doing here as best I can for a little while. I'll continue to share whatever Henry, Rosi, and whoever else want to provide. I'll tote my camera along to shows, and I'll do my best to help my friends find places to play their music. And I'll always be a place where artists can share their art if they want to continue to give me that opportunity.

I haven't been reading emails or messages as religiously as I used to, and I'm sorry for that; but that kind of stuff has taken kind of a backseat to things like driving the girls around or riding my bike by the beach.

Thanks for reading and thanks for sticking with me.

Oh! And don't forget to come out to The Saint on 7/29 for the show... ...No! THE THING!... ...I've been most excited about this summer. You might get to see my heart burst right out of my chest, and you'll have a blast.

Poster by Matt Hockenjos

In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram at @cooldadmusic. All the pictures I take eventually show up in the Flickr account.

Peace.

Screaming Females Played Industry City in Brooklyn with Swearin', 6/28/19

Screaming Females by Rose Lamela

Out of the Cave and into the Summer Breeze

Words and Pictures by Rose Lamela

It had been too long since I'd been to a show. I knew the amount of excuses I'd been making would have to eventually come to an end. I haven't even been listening to music lately which is rare for me. I've been in this self-reflective space where the mundane and quietness of my apartment is all I crave. Even being well into the summer, my favorite season, I was not very inspired to feel the hot sun in my face. The Screaming Females show was approaching, and I could hear that voice in my head telling me to get over it and head out to Brooklyn. Little did I know that Industry City's music venue is outside, and nothing beats a show on a hot summer night.

I headed out to Brooklyn with my windows down and my music blaring. It felt free and familiar. When I parked the car, I went for a nice 20 min walk to go find some coffee. I started to feel like myself again. Even though summer has a bittersweet feeling these days, I wanted to change that. I found myself saying that, no matter what happens, it's going to be OK. I mean when you find good parking in Brooklyn, it's always going to be OK.

I entered the maze of Industry City -- maze of cool shops and eateries full of the hip Brooklyn scene. When I saw where the stage was, I felt like a child finding the raddest playground. There was a nice breeze and some familiar faces. I have been to so many Screaming Females shows that it feels like seeing family every time I go. There was a sweet spot in the front, and I had some good company. A friend decided to come along, and I was hoping she would be blown away by the speed and craziness of Marissa's riffs. Is it possible not to be?

It was nice to see Swearin' open up the show. I had seen them live before, but they were right on Friday night. I'm a big fan of Allison Crutchfield's vocals and the sound of the band's distorted angst. I have become familiar with their music as I have browsed their tunes a few times on Spotify. They played "Grow into a Ghost" which is one of my favorites. Allison also told the crowd about how it was nostalgic for them to play with Mike, Jarett, and Marissa again. I am always very intrigued about the friendships these bands build on the road together. It's a world that I find intriguing as I watch from the outside, or from behind a lens.

Swearin'

Swearin'

Swearin'

Swearin'

Swearin'

There was a brief moment before Screaming Females came on where the breeze picked up. I know I can be melodramatic about these things, but the summer all of a sudden felt like it officially arrived. Music was filling my stubborn void, and I was hoping to hear the energy this trio brings to the amps above my head.They have yet to disappoint, and it's always a gift to hear them play a tune you have not heard live yet. "Step Outside" was that gem. They jammed out quite a bit which was ironic as I was having a conversation earlier in the night about someone labeling them a jam band. I mean they rock pretty hard to be in that category, but if that is what someone wants to label them, then I guess I'm into jam bands now.

Screaming Females

Screaming Females

Screaming Females

I'm always happy to hear "Ripe" as that is my goto song some mornings when the coffee is just not cutting it. Getting to also hear "Triumph" and "Criminal Image" was much needed as Rose Mountain will always be my favorite album. They came out for an encore and played "I'll Make You Sorry" which is growing on me. Every time I hear it live I get closer to the lyrics. It does not matter what is happening in the universe, the drive of their music will keep me present and spark up my subtle desire to do my awkward air guitaring that I always hope no one notices.

Screaming Females

Screaming Females

Screaming Females

We left BK and headed to America's best diner according to some foodie publications. It was an ideal summer Friday night. Good company, great music, and some waffle fries before bed is all anyone needs. The summer is here, and it's time to feel the sun on my face, the breeze in my in my hair, music in my ears, a lens to view life through, and good parking. I'm back in the game and ready to hear the noise.

Check out the rest of the pics from the evening over at Flickr.