By Chris Ramirez

At this years’ NYU Strawberry Festival you may be getting a little more than your fill of strawberry short cake, sweets, fun games and prizes. Come Friday April 30, you may find yourself getting a little jolt from the screams, convulsing-upbeat guitar work and hard drumming of New Brunswick, NJ band Screaming Females.

The Festival’s live music line-up, which will also include smaller bands like Little Lungs, Hop Along, Fiasco, and JEFF the Brotherhood, was booked by NYU Freshman Shannon Murray and Junior Lauren Monaco.

“When I was thinking of a lineup, I guess I just reverted back to bands I’ve grown up seeing, who despite their increased popularity, have really remained true to DIY [Do-It-Yourself] ethics,” said Murray.

Murray heard of the band about a year ago when they played a show in New Brunswick, close to her own hometown, Westfield.

“Both Screaming Females and Little Lungs have a decidedly more pop-y sound but combine it with elements of grunge, punk, and hardcore which just works really well,” said Murray of her picks.

So who is Screaming Females?

“Screaming Females is Marissa, Mike, and Jarrett. Without that lineup it is not Screaming Females,” says drummer/manager Jarrett Dougherty.

Other members include Bassist King Mike and guitarist/singer/screamer Marissa Paternoster.

Screaming Females have played several shows in NY since their birth, sharing the stage with numerous other scene bands. (They do play here quite often, so if you truly enjoy their show, you’ll be glad you live in NY.)

Dougherty points out Shellshag and Stupid Party, both Brooklyn, NY punk bands, as some of the most notable groups he’s played with.

But there is a difference in the two scenes, according to King Mike.

“NJ is much smaller so you end up playing with and seeing the same bands more often,” he said. He continued on in jest, “In NJ people bleed a lot at the shows because the bands tend to cut themselves while performing much like pro wrestlers.”

Screaming Females started about five years ago, says Dougherty, and have since released three LPs and an EP earlier this year.

“We also have a whole new album recorded but the finishing touches are giving us issues,” said Dougherty. “That will come out some day.”

The band is definitely a growing name, and not just in NY and NJ. They are known far beyond the borders of NJ for their extensive touring, Jarrett estimating their latest count at about 420 shows. Some of these performances have included shows with Dinosaur Jr., Arctic Monkeys, and even Jack White’s latest side-project Dead Weather. They are currently touring with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.

So how did Screaming Females end up scheduling a show at NYU? And what can NYU expect from this popular New Brunswick band come the day of the Strawberry Festival?

“We had been talking with show organizers at NYU for a while about Screaming Females playing some event,” said Dougherty, “This one worked out well for everyone involved…I hope they have a good time.”

King Mike’s goal: “I hope to successfully stay dry and have a good time.”

Murray’s choice for contacting the band came from her appreciation and pride of the New Brunswick music scene.

“These are bands that are equally talented, and genuinely care about the music they are making,” said Murray. “I guess I just wanted to introduce students at NYU to new music they might not have been willing to expose themselves to otherwise.”