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The Donnas - American Teenage Rock ‘n’ Roll Machine - (Lookout!)
by J. Lianna Ness
The Runaways have risen from the grave! The Donnas really are an American Teenage Rock ‘n’ Roll Machine. Formerly known as Ragady Anne, they were "discovered" by Radio X label owner and former Supercharger, Darin Raffaelli who had them record some songs he wrote and renamed them the Donnas. They released a self-titled record on Super*Teem (including a cover of "Da Do Ron Ron" [Ronettes, anyone?]) and followed up with some singles on Radio X. They also started a short-lived side project called Electrocutes (get it? Electrocutes?), making fun of themselves as The Donnas and started writing their own material. They used several songs which started as Electrocutes songs which eventually became their new CD on Lookout! called - what else? - American Teenage Rock ‘n’ Roll Machine. Hailing from Palo Alto, California, The Donnas - bassist Donna F. (Maya Ford), guitarist Donna R. (Allison Robertson), drummer Donna C. (Torry Castellano) and singer Donna A. (Brett Anderson) - have been playing together since 8th Grade and as they so eloquently state on the first track, "Rock ‘n’ Roll Machine," "I’ll grow up when I’m ready!" They don’t care about school or having friends or partying only on weekends - they just wanna party every day. This trenchant troupe of trashy teen queens play simple 3-chord garage rock with early punk leanings. It’s Blondie and the Shangri-Las in a mud wrestling match with the Spice Girls (but in this case, they’re not-so-nice girls!), the New York Dolls meet the Lovedolls with a hint of glam (the verses on the 2nd track, "You Make Me Hot," feature a melody identical to Gary Glitter’s "Do You Wanna Touch Me?") and a dose of bubblegum. "Outta My Mind" is their answer to the Runaways’ "Gotta Get Out Tonight." The Donnas tease and titillate with wistful, naughty lyrics like "Don’t try to stop me/I’m a reckless tart/Get out of my way cuz I’ll rip you apart" ("Speed Demon") and "I ain’t looking for love, just looking for someone easy!" ("Leather On Leather"). Not the kind of girls you take home to meet mom and dad.