American Teenage Rock 'n' Roll Machine (CD - 1998)

Producers: Tom, The Donnas, Romeo Voltage.

Recorded at Trainwreck Studios, Oakland, California.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: Donna R. (vocals, guitar); Donna F. (vocals, vibraslap); Donna A. (vocals); Donna C. (drums).

Recording information: Trainwreck Studios, Oakland.

They come off like the bastard offspring of Joan Jett & Johnny Ramone, with enough endearing naivete, untarnished rock & roll hedonism and six-string power to push one-time labelmates Green Day out of the way as the premier punk-pop band of the '90s. The Ramones connection extends beyond surface details like their gang/family nomenclature (the members are known as Donnas R., C., F. and A.) to the unapologetic ramalama of the guitar and drums and pinhead-with-a-purpose lyrics.

The Donnas' obvious Runaways roots (teenage girls on a rock rampage) extend to Joan Jett's later career and her glam tendencies. The Donnas are only too happy to rewrite the Jett-covered Gary Glitter classic "Do You Want To Touch Me" to suit their own purposes. In fact, the major musical progression from their eponymous debut to AMERICAN TEENAGE ROCK 'N" ROLL MACHINE (one of the more aptly-titled albums extant) is from straight California punk to glammed-up rock that could make Paul Stanley smile. minimize