Screaming Orphans are a band of four sisters from Bundoran in County Donegal, Ireland. The Diver sisters (Marie Therese-Keyboard, Accordion , Grainne- Guitars, Angela-Bass Guitar, Violin and Joan-Drums and Bodhran) grew up—unsurprisingly—on Irish music and while it was always present in their home. Then they became teenagers. Naturally they wanted to have a rock band and Screaming Orphans was born. They played locally at surf festivals (apparently Bundoran is the Irish surf capital). They have played with many of Ireland’s top artists and are currently playing a series of shows in the United States.

When asked what they sound like guitarist/vocalist Grainne Diver says she believes the band is unique in their sound.

“We don't think we sound like anyone. This is a blessing and a curse as I believe that a lot of people are not really that musical and they tend to like a band to sound like something they know but by sounding not really like anything else you can be something special.” she says.

She also says that the band is not terribly interested in gear.

“We think we're really lame when it comes to gear because it's the truth. Small example which occurred last week--.The bass was sounding really distorted when we were practicing some new songs in our apartment so we changed the lead etc and in a panic phoned Richie (amazing East Village guitar guy)and ran to him with the bass and he laughingly told us the battery was dead!” she says. “I hadn't a clue there was a battery there and Ang, the bass player had been noting the fact that it seemed to be fading in and out the last couple of weeks but thought it was her ears or something else.”

But then I have called people to help with computer problems only to discover it wasn’t plugged in. Technology makes fools of all of us. Instead of worrying too much about the gear Grainne says they obsess over songwriting and leave technical issues to techs and producers (which can lead to a great deal of pain).

The band’s basic set up is –drums and bodran (the hand drum used in Irish music), bass, fiddle, acoustic/electric guitar, accordion and four vocal mics.

“We mix in the traditional instruments as we tend to include traditional Irish tunes in our sets. Also the accordion rocks!” says Grainne.

Despite not being gear-obsessed Grainne thinks she could probably do with an upgrade at guitar.

“I think I'd like a Tele a bit more classy sounding than my $299 2005 made in Mexico job but then again I'm very attached to that guitar and I routinely have guys come up to me asking the age of my guitar expecting it to be something vintage. That just shows you!” says Grainne. “Joan would like something other than the crappy little eBay cocktail kit that she bought so it could fit in the car. She has no toms but in my opinion she can kick any drummers butt with her little kit. If you can play with the basics you are a mighty fine musician in my opinion. Angela wants Ciaran Brennan’s (from the Irish band Clannad) Fender Jazz, it was beyond beautiful.”

Fiddle-wise Grainne says the band has the best.

“We were left our violin teacher Ms Costello's violin we also have our grandfather’s two violins and our granduncle’s as well as violins bought for us by our mam and dad,” she says. “We have great violins, well they have unbelievably strong sentimental value to us, that makes them the best to us. Marie Therese just wants a real piano in our apartment but that'll never happen as we have no room.”

Keep an eye out for Screaming Orphans—playing in the USA in the fall of 2007.