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Marissa Paternoster

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Marissa Paternoster
Paternoster at South by Southwest 2011
Paternoster at South by Southwest 2011
Background information
Born (1986-08-01) August 1, 1986 (age 38)
OriginElizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresPunk rock, indie rock
Occupation(s)Musician, artist
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2004–present
LabelsDon Giovanni Records
Member ofScreaming Females, Noun

Marissa Paternoster (born August 1, 1986) is an American artist, singer and guitarist active in New Jersey's New Brunswick music scene. She is the former lead singer and guitarist[1] of the band Screaming Females,[2] and continues to perform in the solo project Noun.[3][4]

Early life

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Paternoster's parents met while both teachers for the Elizabeth Public Schools. Her mother, Leslie Okun, who Paternoster has described as "culturally Jewish",[1] was an art teacher who now resides in Florida. Her father, Angelo Paternoster, gave her her first guitar lessons before she taught herself to play as a teen.[5][6] Paternoster grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey[7] and attended Roselle Catholic High School[8] and later Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, where she became interested in music and formed Screaming Females.[9] An only child and an introvert, she grew up with a passion for comics, drawing, and, before long, guitar.[10]

Music

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Sleater-Kinney influenced her to start a band[10] with bassist Mike Abbate and drummer Jarrett Dougherty in 2005.[11] She was named the 77th greatest guitarist of all time by Spin magazine in 2012,[12] and the 150th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone in 2023.[13]

Artwork and writing

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Marissa's art is included on album covers, posters, skateboard graphics, murals,[14] and advertisements. Marissa's art has been shown in galleries including Space 1026[15] and Commonweal Gallery.[16] She has published collections of her artwork through Don Giovanni Records.

In 2024 she released her first graphic novel Merriment illustrated by her and written by Joe Steinhardt.[17][18]

Personal life

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Paternoster is an out lesbian[19] and has spoken about how bands like Sleater-Kinney gave her the confidence to be a queer woman in music.[1] Her go-to karaoke song is Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light".[10]

Discography

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[20]

With Screaming Females

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As Noun

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  • Peace Meter (2021) (originally released under Marissa Paternoster)
  • In the Shade (2021)
  • 3-Song Picture Disc (2020)
  • Slug (2018)
  • Throw Your Body On The Gears And Stop The Machine With Your Blood (2015)
  • Holy Hell (2010)
  • Noun (2010)
  • Forgotten Grin (2007)

Guest Appearances

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  • w/The HIRS Collective, Unicorn Tapestry Woven in Fire, vocals (2023)
  • w/Street Eaters, Love Like Anthrax (Gang of Four cover), vocals and guitar (2021)
  • w/Modern Hut, I Don't Want to Get Adjusted to This World, vocals and guitar (2021)
  • w/Shellshag, Keep Your Eyes on the Road, vocals (2021)
  • w/Snakeskin, Heart Orb Bone, guitar (2021)
  • w/Secretary Legs, Cool Myths, guitar (2021)
  • w/Iron Reagan, Eat Or Be Eaten, guitar (2018)
  • w/Modern Hut, Generic Treasure, guitar and vocals (2013)
  • w/Garbage, Because the Night (Patti Smith cover), guitar and vocals (2013)[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Wolfe, Allison; Shifflett, Jonathan (March 27, 2018). "'I'm in the Band' Ep. 7: Screaming Females". Tidal. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  2. ^ "Excess Bravado". NYMag.com. May 14, 2009.
  3. ^ "Screaming Females frontwoman goes solo as Noun – releasing an LP (MP3), playing Don Giovanni shows (dates)". BrooklynVegan. March 25, 2010.
  4. ^ "MARISSA PATERNOSTER - 2024 INTERVIEW". YouTube. March 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Oshinsky, Matthew (October 5, 2009). "Screaming Females and New Brunswick's Punk Scene". NJ.com.
  6. ^ "Meet the Queen of New-School Riot Grrrl". Rolling Stone. August 25, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  7. ^ Schroeder, Audra. "A Brief Conversation With Screaming Females' Marissa Paternoster", Dallas Observer, May 2, 2012. Accessed December 13, 2015 "[Q]Where did you grow up? [A] I grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, with Mike."
  8. ^ Stewart, Allison (January 23, 2014). "That the shredder is a she needs no apology". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  9. ^ "Visual Arts alum finds success in rock band Screaming Females". Mason Gross School of the Arts Website. May 2012. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  10. ^ a b c "'I'm in the Band' Ep. 7: Screaming Females". read.tidal.com. March 27, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  11. ^ Advocate, MATTHEW SIGUR | Special to The (October 17, 2018). "Trends come and go, but Screaming Females will always shred". The Advocate. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  12. ^ "SPIN's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". SPIN magazine. May 3, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  13. ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone magazine. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Jordan, Chris. "Screaming Females guitarist paints New Brunswick mural". Courier News. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "No more bad thoughts – Marissa Paternoster at Space 1026". Artblog. January 27, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  16. ^ Post, Guest (January 19, 2022). "Commonweal Gallery Focusing on Philadelphia Artist". Where Philadelphia. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  17. ^ Hatfield, Amanda. "Screaming Females' Marissa Paternoster releasing debut graphic novel 'Merriment' w/ Joe Steinhardt". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  18. ^ "Screaming Females\' Marissa Paternoster Announces Debut Graphic Novel \'Merriment\'". Stereogum. January 9, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  19. ^ "Queer Ear: The Hills are Alive..." The Advocate. February 23, 2015.
  20. ^ "Marissa Paternoster". Discogs. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "Screaming Females' Marissa joined Garbage at Wellmont Theatre (pics), releasing their Patti Smith cover for #RSD13". Brooklyn Vegan. March 21, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2023.


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