On Call with the Donnas

by Paulina Abascal

photos by Mona Molayem

It is just shy of 100 degrees inside Cha Cha Cha, an eclectically decorated Caribbean restaurant in the hipster ghetto of Silver Lake. Veteran rockers the Donnas are seated in one of the largest tables in a corner of the restaurant they picked out for this interview.

The four-piece began in the Northern California town of Palo Alto and still consists of all its original members. Though the band has been making music since 1993, the girls are still grateful for each experience they share.

"We just got back from Brazil and we want to go back sometime next year," says guitarist Allison Robertson. 

Brazil is a favorite topic of discussion for the band. Robertson comments that the audience consisted of "a lot of middle school girls." The entire set list was played in English, a language many in the audience probably could not speak. "[The Brazilian fans] knew all the lyrics, even if they don't understand. There's some video on YouTube where Brett is singing and you can't even hear her the crowd is singing so loud."

Since returning from Brazil, the band has been on the go, with its new album, Bitchin', out on September 18 and a U.S. tour beginning four days earlier. 

"After that we're going to go over to Europe for five weeks and then hopefully Australia and Japan and then do it all over again," says drummer Torry Castellano.

The Donnas haven't been in the public eye much since the release of Gold Medal three years ago.

"We toured for a long time for Gold Medal and then we came home and we started writing, we haven't really been taking a break, we've been working, and having fun along the way," explains Castellano. During the writing process for Bitchin', the band played the occasional show. 

"We'll have to take like a week off to go do something else, mostly shows, events or live shows, private things," says Robertson.

Vocalist Brett Anderson adds, "We're always on call, we like to call ourselves doctors."

For those familiar with the Donnas' hard rock pop, Bitchin' will not be much of a surprise. "I feel like it's something you could expect from us but it doesn't sound like the last album," Robertson says.

"I think the goal with every record is to change enough so that it's new and exciting, but to keep the things the same that make it recognizable and familiar," adds Anderson.

Since the band has had almost 14 years to establish a particular sound and musical style, Castellano remarks, "Even if we really, really, tried to make a record where people would be like, 'Oh, who's this?' I don't know if we could do it."

Bitchin' is the seventh album released under the name the Donnas. When asked how it compares to their previous material, the band members described it as "more simple, but better sounding." This is mostly due to the band's approach to pre-production. Though all members contribute to songwriting, Anderson specifically notes that she spent more time working in this regard and that is evident in the record's content. Robertson believes that the record "sounds more like a finished product."

From the corner of the table, bassist Maya Ford finally speaks. "We released it on our own label [Purple Feather]. We're the best band on our label, 'cause we're the only band on our label."

Stereotyped as a "chick band" since its inception (the Donnas were the only all-girl outfit in Palo Alto at the time), the band members are very educated on how this difference works for and against them in the music industry. During live shows, Robertson says that, "it's definitely rare, it's definitely a spectacle. The bad side is sometimes [a girl band] is such a spectacle that that's all that matters."

"Sometimes it gets tiring to be introduced at every show as 'Here's an all-girl rock band' instead of 'Here's a rock band,'" Castellano says in an aggravated tone.

Anderson is caught in between the pros and cons.  "A lot of the times, it takes the focus off of the actual music and abilities, but we know not to be ungrateful for the extra attention. It makes [us] stand out."

Being in the same band for nearly half of their lives, each member has been significantly molded by the experience.

"I feel like it is our life. There is no part of my life that isn't the Donnas. I'm always thinking of the band," says Castellano.

"Sometimes, when I'm really drunk," begins Anderson, "I think about how I can't believe I've never had to have a real job for a long time. I can't believe we've just been able to do music for a living,"

With all band members turning 28 this year, the Donnas realize how fortune has smiled upon them.

Robertson adds to that concept, "When I think about some of my friends from school, and what they're doing compared to what I'm doing, I feel so lucky."

The Donnas are a legitimately good band, a potential classic. Each member is skilled at her instrument, the song writing is clever, and the choruses hook. Having withstood the test of time, and outlasted phases and trends, the Donnas have insight on what works in music and what doesn't.

"In the music industry, some of the good songs are popular because they're really good songs, and some of them are popular because somebody paid somebody, or because they're just really hot," says Robertson.

Things are changing, though, and it has become even easier to earn a big name for only a second. Castellano addresses this by saying, "People aren't trying to make great albums anymore, they're just trying to make one great song."

She pauses before concluding, "And that's great if that's your goal, but that's not what we're out to do."

The Donnas will play the Roxy on October 27.