FEATURED INTERVIEWS                          

The Donnas

Balls to the Wall, Rock N' Roll.
By: Gian Erguiza - - December 27th, 2007 -7:00 am PST



Successful, smart, and sexy. The Donnas definitely know a thing or two about rockin' out. Their latest release, "Bitchin'" is a straight Rock N' Roll record without the bullshit. With complete indpendence, no inhibitions, and complete control, The Donnas are here to stay.....to kick your ass and put you in a Rock N' Roll submission. Allison takes some time out to talk with Frantik.

Frantik Magazine, this is Gian.

Hey, this Allison.

Hey Allison, how are you doing today?

I’m doin’ pretty good!

Where you at right now?

I’m actually in Burbank, at my managers office taking care of some things, getting into my car now…

What a trip, you’re probably 10 blocks away from me, I’m in Burbank as well.

Oh really? That’s cool! Yeah I’m about to get on the freeway right now.

Well it’s about to rain and I wouldn’t want you to get into anything so….

I know, I brought my umbrella just in case.

Well let’s get it started, wouldn’t want you to interview while drivin’in the rain.

Oh, nah, I can do the interview in the rain.

Alright let’s get down to it. “Bitchin” is a straight hard rock album with big balls and it is just fantastic. What went into making this record as far as the sound, production and songwriting?

We started working songwriting kind of earlier and we were actually working on the songwriting two years or a year before we started recording. We were writing early for this album and we tried writing with some a couple of different songwriters but most of them didn’t come out right, we didn’t really like the tracks that they came up with some of the writers. They weren’t terrible songs but they just didn’t really come out the way we wanted our next album to come out and then we met one writer, Holly Night, and she wrote songs like “Love is a Battlefield,” by Pat Benatar and she had a lot of great songs. So we met with her and wrote some good tunes with her which turned out to be the first batch, tracks like “Wasted” and others. Then we stopped writing with her and started writing on our own and that’s when we started doing stuff like “Save me,” and pretty much the rest of the album and we just kept writing and writing. I do a lot of demos on my Midi recorder, like Garageband, on my keyboard and doing arrangements and then we started writing lyrics and melodies and stuff, coming up with songs and putting them together. I think writing with the songwriter kind of inspired us and it also reminded us what we don’t want to sound like and what wasn’t working and it was kind of like a little bit of lesson on what works and what doesn’t work and now when we start writing again we have a better idea of what we wanted for this album.

Well good job, definitely, cause like I said, this album really rocks, period.

Thank You! I’m glad you like it.

So, with all of these kick as songs on the album, which one is your favorite and which song is a crowd favorite?

I think “Bitchin,” the intro song is actually, I just love it. You know we actually wrote it after we recorded the whole album and I thought it would be so cool to have an intro to the album and Jay was like, “Let’s go track it!” and I was like no, I haven’t written it yet. So I kind of wrote it really quick and it just came out really cool and we’ve always wanted and we wanted it for the live show, to go onstage and play the song and when it runs out, its time to go to church to meet and the crowd freaks out and that’s exactly what it’s meant to be for. People also really seem to like “Wasted,” but I’m not sure? I like it, but you never know since it’s a little different you know with the danceable beat and it has kind of like a Billy Idol grip. I love that song but I’m really kind of surprised how many people really love it, people know all the words when we play it and stuff. We just got back from Europe and people were singing along and we were like, “Wow!” these people love this song so I think we just wrote a really great one.

Yeah it’s definitely one of my favorite ones off the album as well

I don’t know, it just came out really great and I love it!

I agree, my favorite one is "Wasted," for obvious reasons!

Well, we were kind of in spot of whether or not we wanted to you know, we had a choice of whether we wanted to go do the third album with them or, I mean, not our third album, but our third album with Atlantic, it would’ve been like, I guess, our seventh album. We had options to stay or leave and it was just kind of like the climate over there, they were turning everything over towards hip hop and pop….

Boo!!!

Well they were just dropping a lot of their rock bands and their radio dept. was really only strong in the Top 40, hip hop, pop, world and it was kind of obvious that if we stayed there, the album probably would’ve died even if it was a good album.

With Purple Feather Records now up and running, what are the label’s plans and what do you guys hope to accomplish with starting your own record label?

Well, we weren’t sure if it was a good idea but I feel like now that we’ve done it, it just seems right and it is kind of like the future of where we’re going like we don’t need a label and that we’re just doing it ourselves. I guess if it ever makes enough money or comes up an opportunity to sign other bands, I would love to do that. Right now, were just kind of taking it slowly and using it for our own album and working on our own album. It’s actually working out pretty well cause it makes it a lot easier to cut out all of the middle-men, we’re the boss, we call the shots and it’s really turning out to be nice and pretty cool. I’m actually really glad that we did it. I think that it sounded scary to start your own label and be committed, but you can hire different companies to help you, distribution companies to get the album in the stores and they do a real cool setup and I was like thinking, “How’s this possible you know?” if all the record companies that have been in business, hire these people.

Well I definitely think that it’s a good idea since I think that some of the record labels are shaking in their boots with the whole digital downloading revolution

Yeah, totally, I think that it’s a big problem with what and why our label was kind of like scared to work with us anymore because I think that they think that they can only focus on the stuff that is still selling ok, cause even hip-hop and pop isn’t really selling that well, compared to what it used to but it’s the stuff that selling you know what I mean? I think Atlantic was scared of not making money that they just had to concentrate on what they could. It just made sense not to stay there anymore. We could’ve cause we weren’t dropped. It’s better for all of us, cause we would’ve fallen by the wayside and it would not have been on purpose but it’s just what their focusing on is not at all what we’re trying to do so yeah, I think it’s a good call! There’s nothing wrong with downloading and all that shit cause I I think that’s just the way it is. We all used to make mixtapes and dubbed tapes for each other so it’s like the same thing really. You have to get more creative if you’re an artist, you gotta figure out other ways to make a living you know?

Oh, I hear ya.

Record sales are obviously down and it’s a problem. At the same time there are other ways but I think this music industry hasn’t figured out what’s going on. There’s going to be a time where everything settles down and people will find a way to start making money again.

Right.

As long as we’re able to put out records, that’s all I really care about. We’ve sold a million records and people always ask about our record sales like, “Sure, we’ve sold a million.” And then they just tell you, “Yeah, no, sorry” We’ve never really been that band, we’ve always been this kind of other band, where we tour a lot, and where we can be just a different entity.

That’s the way to go! Thanks for answering my next question. I was about to ask you what you thought of the war between digital downloading vs. physical purchase since it’s such a black and white issue…..

I buy everything on iTunes and if they don’t have it on iTunes, I go look for it in Amazon. I try to pay for all of my music, I’ve always been like that. I’ve always been a record buyer and I’ve always liked to ahev the whole thing but at the same time I don’t judge all of the kids so if they can get it for free then? It’s not like I wouldn’t do that if I was like ten years old, it’s music. The thing is, we feel music, just like the way you feel about a books and at the same time, the person that wrote the book, might not be making money but at least certain people would want to read the book you know? I mean I don’t know?

{both laugh}

It’s just one of those things where I feel like it’s really fucked up to go against it cause you know it’s better than people not wanting your music at all.

Well you have definitely brought up some very good points and I definitely feel the same way.

But I mean at the same time I do think that it’s important for people to realize that when they’re stealing music, the people they’re stealing from, isn’t making any money. But I guess it’s just a guilt thing?

{both laugh}

I feel like if you’re going to steal music, at least feel guilty! I mean I do my best to buy to support all the bands and I always try to tell people about new music. I have an internet radio show that I do, I don’t get paid for it, but I always try to play new bands, tell people to go out and see them. I also feel like people don’t go out to shows anymore and it’s really good to encourage people to keep going out and support bands that are playing live in their area.

"People will come up to us and say we’re pretty cool but that we play the same kind of stuff every album and they think it offends me and I should be offended and I can tell that people want to offend me but, the biggest misconception is that we give a shit about all that. We really don’t!"

Yeah, I agree since most bands are way better live. Let’s switch gears here. I was lookin’ around the Donnas myspace page and I noticed an interesting bit of news, please enlighten me and the readers as to what your Fun in the Dungeon show is all about on Women Rock Radio ?

I did an interview with Charmaine which is pretty much the only DJ at that station. Internet radio, they really just put all the in-house DJ’s and it basically exists. Nobody really talks but Charmaine has this show and I did an interview for it, I emailed the girls that run it and I just thought, I like these people, I like the vibe, and I made a joke in the email like,” Oh, if you ever wanted someone to host your show or if you wanted me to do anything, I would love to participate more and support the finishing.” It’s cool that it’s all women and that it’s all rock, it’s just positive! So I was just joking but then they asked me if I was serious and told me that, “Are you joking? You can have a show!” And from there I said, “I could, are you joking?” and they basically said, “No!” So “I said I’ll do it, why not?!” I just started doing it and it’s like a podcast, pretty much and it airs on Wednesdays at 6pm, Pacific. I don’t get paid but it’s like having a show on this radio, radio is something that Ive always wanted to do when I was in high school, listening to the College radio stations saying, ”Man, I wish they’d give me a show there!” You would’ve always played whatever the fuck you want. I mean I listen to so much music and make mixtapes and CD’s and it’s really fun. I do a theme for every episode and I did a show once where it was like a groovy bar, roadhouse songs and I did another one where it was like rain type music for the summertime, I did one which was all like crazy Halloween, 2 episodes with all Halloween music. It’s just fun cause if you make a scene, you kind of have like something to focus on and put together.

I’m going to make sure to tune in and catch it! It sounds like really good show!

The fun thing is that I play all female artists and it’s not like I love just all female music but it gets challenging and keep it fresh, not to play the same artist every time but you know, it’s helped me find some time to discover new music. I’ll play anything. I’ll play TLC next to ABBA next to Blondie and then I’ll play some heavy metal and all female rock bands. I’ll play country music, just as long as it’s a female, I can play it. I like to keep it eclectic and borrow from a lot of places. I mean this what it’s all about and what the shows are about, to show people that women don’t play one kind of music or is only good at what kind of music, it’s just stupid. I’ve always been against people that only listen to one type of music. There’s a lot of great shit out there!

I agree. Well I think that you rip a lot of people’s asses on the guitar!

Thank You!

Since we’re talking about music, What are you listening to in your Ipod or music player? Any recommends?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Patti Smyth, her album “Easter,” it’s an older album. I just bought the new Siouxsie, you know, Siouxsie and the Banshees, I listen to a lot of old school metal and hair metal. I’ve been into Vinnie Vincent Invasion, I bought the Baby Shambles album, which I think is really good, lately I have been buying a lot of music and trying out a lot of shit. I just bought the new PJ Harvey….

How is that?

It’s good! It’s weird cause I’ll buy albums that are heavy on the piano and people tell me, “Wow, I can’t believe you listen to that!” At the same time I like listening to Vinnie Vincent Invasion, The Bullet Boys..

The Bullet Boys?

{both laugh}

Yeah! I also just downloaded a bunch of funk classics and you know, I have a lot of funk music in my library but I had to add on cause I know I was missing some tunes like the Gap Band, G-Funk era stuff.

So Allison, what is the biggest misconception about The Donnas

I think or the biggest misconception about The Donnas is I find that people will make fun of us and think that it’s going to bum us out, the critics. People will come up to us and say we’re pretty cool but that we play the same kind of stuff every album and they think it offends me and I should be offended and I can tell that people want to offend me but, the biggest misconception is that we give a shit about that. We really don’t! All we give a shit about is making a better album that the last, pleasing the fans, getting more fans, making people happy that come to see us. I want to make people smile and be happy when they come to our show instead of judging it and saying that its not the most original or that it’s corny but to us it’s like whatever man. There’s got to be different stuff in the world! We can’t listen to nerdy music all the time or brainless music all the time either but you need a balance. I enjoy the type of band that we are and I’m proud of the thought that we put into our music. We’re proud and we know what we are. We don’t walk around with these huge egos like we made the most original shit and I think that people think that we’re more dumb than we really are. It’s really funny to me when they ask if they can be honest and they reach that point like “Oh, they’re really dumb and they listen to metal for fun,” well we kind of do, shit man!

{both laugh}

You’re not alone.

I think we’re a little more intellectual than people probably guess but it’s hilarious to me though.

Hey are you guys making any live DVD’s soon? I bet your fans would love to have one.

Well, we have an official bootleg I should say. We did a huge fan club show where only fan club members could buy tickets and it was in the desert near the Joshua tree. There’s this bar called Pappi and Hariets which had a huge outdoor stage where we played for almost two hours, which included a full set, then a set where the fans picked out the songs, which were songs that we’ve never played so we practiced them and they taped it. I mean our fans can buy that and it’s a couple years old but we’re probably going to do another one, probably next year and that’ll be the next one we do, an official one. I also would like to do a live album with a coinciding live DVD, I think that would be cool.

Thank you for answering my question again!

Oh, Really!

I’m pretty sure that you guys party, so if my associates and I were to come to your neck of the woods, where would you guys take us for good times? We like to drink and smoke just to throw that out there.

Well we go to El Coyote, that’s like my favorite restaurant. I like to go there and get the real great expensive margaritas and that’s where my mom and go, sort of like we grew up there. Any dive bars, we live in Hollywood and there’s a lot. There’s a lot of bars that are more trendy but I’ll be perfectly honest that Id’ rather go to a bar where I can just sit and have a beer, be comfortable. We also like to party in our own houses, Maya’s got a good apartment, we all live in apartments, but she’s got good neighbors where we play loud music, smoke on the balcony, perfect place for a party. We do the pot luck where we bring food and I don’t really think it’s a party if there isn’t any stuff to eat. I like to party like a BBQ and have stuff to snack.

{both laugh}

I’ll be sure to invite you to the next BBQ.

Awesome!

With all of the things going with The Donnas already, what else can we expect from you guys in 2008?

We’re probably going to tour again but we don’t know where and we’re looking at a couple of tours for earlier next year. I don’t know man, I think we want to keep touring until it’s time to start working on the next album but I honestly…..we didn’t really get to play every city in America that I think we could’ve so I think we need to do another U.S. tour or maybe a European tour. I still want to go back to Brazil. We went to Brazil this year and it was just the best.

That must’ve been awesome.

They’re so rock n’ roll there and they really party and love metal. It’s really fun there, it’s amazing.

So before I let you go Allison, and you’ve been nothing but the best on the phone, you rock, do you have any additional comments

If you see us coming to your town, go see the show! I feel like, even if you don’t like us or you don’t know if you like us, we do our best to entertain and coming to our shows is the perfect place to have a beer and headbang and shit.

Sounds good to me!

You have to support the music!

Allison, thank you so much for doing the interview, you rock, and good luck in 08 and I will see you guys in 08!

Thank you so much!

Thank you Allison!

  I Email to Friend  I Print

RELATED CONTENT

What do you think of Frantik Mag? Tell us your thoughts!