The Donnas

The Donnas was a female hard rock band from Palo Alto, California that has been influenced by bands such as The Ramones, The Runaways, Riff, AC/DC, Bratmobile and Kiss. Formed in 1993 by Brett Anderson on vocals and keyboards, Allison Robertson on guitar, Maya Ford on bass and Torry Castellano on drums.

Beginnings

The four girls from the Californian town of Palo Alto are the singer Brett Anderson (born May 30, 1979), the guitarist Allison Robertson (born August 26, 1979), the bassist Maya Ford (born January 8, 1979) and drummer Torry Castellano (born January 8, 1979). At the age of fourteen, these high school friends began practicing rock under the name Ragady Anne, influenced by both The Ramones and Riot grrrl, people like the Runaways or Bikini Kill. After participating in a talent contest, the group little by little began to glimpse a possible professional musical career, especially when they contacted Darrin Raffaelli, who would become their manager.

At that time they had changed their name, they had become 'The Electrocutes', a band in which they performed songs full of teenage pop-punk rebellion. As The Electrocutes, the group recorded the LP called "Steal yer lunch money", which was not published at the time but was published in 1999. Raffaelli, taking advantage of the band's passion for the music of The Ramones, decided to emulate the residents of Queens by having his girls adopt fake names, all starting with Donna and followed by the initial of her last name. Thus Anderson became Donna A., Robertson became Donna R., Ford became Donna F., and Castellano became Donna C.

Thus, with the name Donnas, he preluded his first big album 'The Donnas', released in 1997, it was a Ramonian album with pop punk and pop rock songs lasting just over a minute. Her second studio album was 'American Teenage Rock' n' Roll Machine', was released in 1998. 'Get Skintight', released in 1999, an album produced by brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald. In this album you can see, in addition to its punk rock patterns, a tendency towards more hard rock sounds.

Popularity

After releasing his album "Turn 21" 2001. (In which is the song Midnite Snack that "rarely" hides an incredible similarity with the song Macadam 3...2...1...0... belonging to Riff, a band formed and founded by Norberto "Pappo" Napolitano, this song was released in 1981 when the members of The Donnas were only 2 years old). The Donnas debuted on the Atlantic label with 'Spend the Night', released in 2002. This album brought them greater popularity throughout the country, eventually playing on the main stage of the famous Lollapalooza festival. Even the single "Take it off" It was included in the first version of Guitar Hero. Under the same label they released 'Gold Medal', in 2004, an album that differs from the previous one by following a sound more linked to pop rock. album in which they also decide to adopt a more mature image, discarding the use of the pseudonyms "Donna".

In 1999 they participated in the film Drive Me Crazy where they played themselves twice: in a homemade video clip where they promoted themselves as a band playing "Get Rid Of That Girl" and at the end of the movie where they play "keep on loving you" by REO Speedwagon

News

On May 19, 2006, The Donnas published an announcement on their website, in which they expressed that “Atlantic Records were parting ways” claiming that “the decision was completely "Mutual and friendly and did not impress the band, and will not impress upon the writing, recording, and touring of The Donnas' new album."

In March 2007 The Donnas released their first single from their upcoming new, independently recorded and financed album, which even included a new logo. The song was titled 'Don't Wait Up For Me'.

Bitchin', the seventh studio album by The Donnas, was released on September 18, 2007. Produced by Jay Ruston and The Donnas, in addition to being released through their own label Purple Feather Records, releasing 3 songs from the album on their official Myspace.

The Donnas went on an extensive tour in 2008, in the United States and Canada they were with the company of The Hives. And in Melbourne, Australian band Kisschasy was part of their 'Skin and Bones' tour. Furthermore, at the end of the year the band repeated the 2007 Brazil tour but this time extending it to more cities, and finally passing through Buenos Aires, this being their first time in Argentina.

Each of the members used the pseudonym "Donna" followed by the first letter of her last name, therefore they would be:

• Brett Anderson That's it. Donna A
• Allison Robertson That's it. Donna R
• Maya That's it. Donna F
• Torry Castellano That's it. Donna C

Only with the release of their sixth album Gold Medal did they decide to abandon pseudonyms to present a more mature image in accordance with the sound of the same album.

When The Donnas were promoting their fifth studio album called Spend the Night, released on October 22, 2002, Torry suffered tendonitis and a year later, in October 2003, she underwent surgery for tendonitis. When she was recovering, I had to re-learn how to play the drums so that I could get a good grip on the drumsticks to release the group's sixth album called Gold Medal, released on October 26, 2004. She could only play the drums for certain periods.

In 2009, the tendinitis returned. This time, the band replaced Torry with Ami Cesari.

On July 9, 2010 it was announced via an email from the band, titled 'A special announcement from Torry', that he could no longer play drums. "As I'm still sore, my doctors have come to the conclusion that I can't play the drums anymore because if I continue, I'll be sore for the rest of my life. [...] I have decided that I have to retire. [...] I have liked all the experiences we have had together and I really want to thank you for your support and fun times. [...] I will always be a Donna and I will be a part of The Donnas family. I know they will continue to support the band and I will be there too, as Donnaholic #1"

Discography

Albums

• The Donnas (1997)
• American Teenage Rock 'n' Roll Machine (1998)
• Get Skintight (1999)
• The Donnas Turn 21 (2001)
• Spend the Night (2002)
• Gold Medal (2004)
• Bitchin (2007)
• Greatest Hits Vol 16 (2009)

Participation in Soundtracks and Compilations

• "Speeding Back To My Baby" – Gearhead Compilation (1998)
• "Checkin' It Out" - Jawbreaker Soundtrack (1998)
• "Strutter" – Detroit Rock City soundtrack (1999)
• "Keep On Loving You" – Drive Me Crazy soundtrack (1999)
• "Wig-Wam Bam" – Runnin' on Fumes! / The Gearhead Magazine Singles Compilation (2000)
• "Backstage" – Freaky Friday soundtrack (2003)
• "Dancing With Myself" – Mean Girls OST (2004)
• "Please Don't Tease" – New York Minute soundtrack (2004)
• "Every Is Wrong" – Elektra soundtrack (2005)
• "Roll On Down The Highway" – Herbie: Fully Loaded soundtrack (2005)
• "Drive My Car" – This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul (2005)
• "Kids In America" – Nancy Drew soundtrack (2007)
• "Take Me To The Backseat - D.E.B.S. (2004 film) soundtrack (2004)
• 'I Don't Want To Know - Great tourism 4 (2004)
• 'Too Bad About Your Girl- Grind (2003)