The Donnas

Interview with bassist Maya Ford, a.k.a. Donna F., conducted originally for OUTSIDER Webzine, some time in 2003. Questions were answered via email while on the way to the first gig of the Spend the Night tour.

1. What's up with the Electrocutes?

The Electrocutes was our band before we were the Donnas. It's all the same people, but we played faster, more complex music and we wore weirder clothes. The Electrocutes thought the Donnas were "goody-two-shoes". Near the end of hiskool we merged the two bands cuz more people were going to Donnas shows cuz the Donnas were catchier and the Electrocutes were just noisy and a little scary.


2. Would you describe your music as "punk rock"?

Not really. I think we're just rock 'n roll.



3. What're your influences?

Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx, Madonna, .38 Special, the Scorpions, and AC/DC.


4. Why the label switch? Are you still on good terms with Lookout?

We wanted to reach a larger audience. We had gone as far as we possibly could with Lookout!, and we decided it was the right time to make a change. One of our managers is Molly Neuman who is general manager of Lookout. We have lots of friends there and always will.


5. Who are some of your favorite bands to listen to? tour with? hate?

...Listen to: Guns 'n' Roses, Cinderella, Scorpions, Fat Boys.
...Tour with: The Strokes, Jimmy Eat World, Bratmobile, Superdrag, Mooney Suzuki.
Bands I hate: Almost everything, especially Pearl Jam, rip-off bands, and nu metal.


6. How long has the band been together?

10 years in May.


7. Were you guys ever confronted to be on the Ramones tribute album?

No, and I am offended.


8. Favorite Donnas album?

The Donnas Spend the Night.


9. What do your parents think of your lyrics?

They think they're funny. They sing along and try to get in the front row at shows.


10. What do you think of Avril Lavigne?

She's short.


11. What's the best/worst thing about touring?

Best thing is getting to hang out with your best friends all the time and playing shows every nite. The worst thing is not getting enuff sleep and dirty laundry.


12. Plan on coming to Pittsburgh anytime soon?

No, sorry.


13. Do you guys still do the club circuit, or are you restricted to stadiums now that you're touring for a major label?

Yeah, we still play in small clubs. We just started a month-long tour of small clubs. We haven't hit the stadiums just yet.


14. Have you looked at OUTSIDER? If so, what do you think..?

I saw the movie The Outsiders. I liked it.

Thanks, OUTSIDER!
-Maya Ford