The Donnas rolled through town on Friday night to perform at the Cat’s Cradle in support of their new album Bitchin. This is their first album on to be released on their newly formed Purple Feather Records Label. This has proved to be a great move for the band and it really shows in the energy and excitement of not just the new album but the live shows as well. This was a show that I have been looking forward to for some time now. I’ve been a fan since Turn 21 came out and I have missed just about every opportunity to see them live since. If I wasn’t on my own tour playing a show somewhere, they were playing 4 hours away on a weeknight. Ugh, the frustration of it all. But last night was my night and let me tell you, it was so worth the wait.
The show started out with a band called American Bang. They came out looking like The Strokes or Jet or one of those bands that look like they weigh combined about 100 lbs wearing their lil tight see thru t-shirts. But the sound that came out was way surprising. It was a sound very reminiscent of Bon Scott era AC/DC. Actually, more like Rhino Bucket if anything. They were a great and energetic young band and their EP is about to come out soon. I highly recommend checking them out.
Up next was Donita Sparks, former singer for the band L7. This was another great act that far exceeded my expectations. I was never an L7 fan so I was dreading hearing some of those songs that I just didn’t like as a younger man. Donita and her band ……. Really did an amazing job. Sounding closer to early Blondie on psychedelics, Donita tore through a 45 minute set and really had the crowd pumped. She rules the stage like a female David Lee Roth of sorts doing all kinds of high kicks and jumps. She has got to be one of the sexiest front women out there. She showed her appreciation for The Donnas taking them out saying “You better get ready for the Donnas! They’ll moisten your panties… and your man panties!”
Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for! The Donnas took the stage shortly after Tesla’s “Modern Day Cowboy” ended over the PA. The sound of air horns and sirens filled the room as the Torry Castellano, Maya Ford, and Allison Robertson took the stage to rip into “Bitchin”. Just as the song builds, singer Brett Anderson storms onto the stage like a bull just let out of a bullpen. The crowd responded with a massive roar and they were off slamming right into their first single off the new album “Don’t Wait Up For Me”. This really set the tone for the evening and I knew we were in for one hell of a ride.
The set list was a great representation of the songs this band had to rip your face off with. You can tell that they put some real thought into this as it was like a freight train coming right at you only you just wanted it to keep hitting you and to never stop! The highlights, for me, were hearing the new songs “Wasted”, “Like An Animal” and “Girl Talk” from “Bitchin”. Brett was constantly coming to the front of the stage and just pumping the crowd into frenzy and at one point, she saw me singing along to “Wasted”. She got down on her knees, grabbed my shoulders and had me singing the chorus with her into the microphone. Talk about a highlight for me! It was pure, unadulterated heavy metal energy up that stage! The energy was just kept high at all times w/ Brett egging the audience on by saying “Don’t go to sleep on me are you fucking with me or what?” bringing on a huge roar of approval!
As the band played on, they continuously thanked everyone for the support and talked about how excited they were to be on an their own label and to finally be doing just what they want to do. With that, they slammed into a cover the RATT song “Round and Round” which had the pit going insane and everyone screaming the lyrics along w/ Brett. The band played with gusto and enthusiasm that I wish most bands would play with. Torry slammed the hell out of her drums and was so rhythmically tight and she just really fueled that machine. Guitarist Allison Robertson REALLY showcased her skills on songs like “Wasted”, “Round and Round” and for me, she knocked one right out of the fucking park on “5 O’Clock In The Morning” which is HER song all the way. I feel like bassist Maya Ford constantly gets overlooked but this girl is fucking solid. I mean, she doesn’t over play and she definitely doesn’t underplay. She is the chain of that anchor that really keeps the band locked down and sol
The show closed with their classic debut single “Let’s Go Mano” which had everyone going bezerk. The place went apeshit as we all screamed “Go! Go Mano Go!” and just jumped around like a bunch of ridalin taking spastic children. Then all of the sudden, it was done. The train had left the tunnel and we all left with our testicles (and whatever the girls had ripped off) in doggie bags. I was just exhausted and I cannot remember the last time I was at a show where I jumped, sang, high fived, and beat my hands on a stage from just pure excitement! That is a fucking show. When a band can bring that out of you, even at 34, they’ve done well.
Getting to hang with them after the show was a real treat. They were all super sweet and so excited that I had my “Let’s Go Mano” 7” record. They talked to my friend Spoob and I for a while and were really appreciative and gracious as they posed for pictures, signed stuff, and just made some nice conversation. Another sign of a great band. They took the time to talk w/ everyone outside waiting around and didn’t leave until the last person had pictures and/or something signed. Its things like this that not only get you fans but let you keep them for many years to come. They don’t put themselves above their audience and again, they were great people and I can’t wait to be kicked again by them!
Go see the Donnas and pick up their new album “Bitchin”. Nuff said!
The Donnas
Friday, October 12th, 2007
The Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
Bitchin’
Don’t Wait Up For Me
Who Invited You
Wasted
Far Behind Me
Too Bad About Your Girl
All Messed Up
Like An Animal
Get Me High
What Do I Have To Do?
Round and Round (Ratt cover!)
5 O’clock In The Morning
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Make Me Hot
Take It Off
Let’s Go Mano
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