The Donnas

The Profile

The Donnas are an American all-female rock band from Palo Alto, California, known for loud, hooky party rock that fuses punk energy with glam-metal swagger. The classic lineup features Brett Anderson, Allison Robertson, Maya Ford, and Torry Castellano.

Formed in Palo Alto in the early 1990s; active 1993–2012. Albums include The Donnas (1997), American Teenage Rock 'n' Roll Machine (1998), Get Skintight (1999), Turn 21 (2001), Spend the Night (2002), Gold Medal (2004), Bitchin' (2007), and Greatest Hits, Volume 16 (2009). Influences cited in reviews include Judas Priest, Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Ramones, Girlschool, and Motörhead.

Reviewers paint The Donnas as unapologetic party-rock: loud, fun, and rooted in 80s metal and punk. Spend the Night (2002) gets singled out as their peak for tight production and contagious energy. Gold Medal is praised as catchy and consistent; Bitchin' pushes the louder 80s-styled riffage. Vocals, riffs, and live punch matter here—innovation less so.