Jotown Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 I saw them this weekend on SNL and man did they suck. I had heard some good things about them on the web and I have that one tune by them, which I am not that crazy about. I mean, they set the image of an all female band back about 20 years. The singer was awful, and the bass player looked and sounded like she wasn't even playing the same tune. And that was on both songs they did! The guitar player was ok, and the drummer was tolerable, but overall-Yuck........... And worst of all, to be that bad and not even look good doing it. Bring back the Runaways! At least Lita Ford could play. Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
The Studio Pet-Rock Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 I saw that, too. Pretty lame group. Stupid lyrics and the music isn't that interesting. I'm sure they'll do well because of that. I think they want to be considered hard edge, like L7, but they sound very county-fair. "Enjoy the pig contest! Ride the tilta-whirl! Check out the Donnas!"
Jotown Posted January 23, 2003 Author Posted January 23, 2003 Just hope they don't choke on a corndog or an elephant ear. On second thoght? :D Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
The Bear Jew Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 The Donnas have been around for a long time. They were originally called The Electrocutes, and they formed when they were all in junior high school just to enter a "Battle Of The Bands" competition -- they were around 14. An older. punk rock guy saw them, appreciated their moxy and hooked up with them to write some catchy songs. They got an "image" together and started playing out a lot. Eventually, they signed with smallish indie punk label Lookout! records and started touring. They'd done the entire US before they even finished high school. By the time they recorded [i]Get Skintight[/i] when they were 19, they were writing their own material and selling tons of records for Lookout! These days, they're finally on a major (Atlantic.) I think they're out of their element. Personally, they're really nice, suburban Californian ladies who are truly in love with music, even if they're nothing special when it comes to songwriting or performing talent. I'm kind of sorry to see them getting so big so fast. I think they're bound to fail. It's sad, because they really are nice girls who love music and write cute, fun, punky songs. \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 I like 'em! :) Guitars are best when they sound like dead cats are being raked across the strings. - Jeff Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon
G. Ratte Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 I saw 'em play at Coney Island last summer, they put on a really good show then. Didn't see the SNL thing. I thought it was some good riff-rock, and the guitar player had a great crunchy sound. G. Ratte' http://www.cultdeadcow.com
Tedster Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 WHAT HAS THIS TO DO WITH STARVING ETHIOPIAN KIDS? Oh...wrong thread. Never mind. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
joegerardi Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Jeff, TASCAM Guy: [b]I like 'em! :) Guitars are best when they sound like dead cats are being raked across the strings. - Jeff[/b][/quote]Jeff, I'm sorry. I don't get your meaning. I thought metaphors were supposed to invoke a *different* image from the norm... ..Joe Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4.
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by joegerardi: [b]I thought metaphors were supposed to invoke a *different* image from the norm...[/b][/quote]Was that a metaphor or a simile? Oh well. :) Guitars sound best when they're played as if an industrial meat grinder fell into a steel mill. Is that any better? :D - Jeff Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon
Gtoledo3 Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 Song-wise, I don't think they're too bad, but they're so sloppy, and not in a way that enhances. Of course, the recordings put them in a favorable light, but Leno and SNL revealed them. I get entertained by seeing skilled artists play. I mean, a kindergarden student's drawings have a certain charm, but... Want mix/tracking feedback? Checkout "The Fade"- www.grand-designs.cc/mmforum/index.php The soon-to-be home of the "12 Bar-Blues Project"
patrick_dont_fret Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 I'd rather listen to Kittie...well, maybe not. But I'd definitely rather listen to old skool Coal Chamber, now that's some heavy stuff I can get into.
S_Gould Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 My first thought when I saw the performance on the Tonight Show was: "If it weren't for the 'novelty' factor of an all-girl band that actually plays all the instruments (say, if they were 4 averge looking guys) - they'd be relegated to playing weekend gigs for free beer." Scott
Curve Dominant Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 I love the Donnas. I think they're one of the only bright spots in rock & roll right now. I don't see what all the cattiness is about. Are you guys gettin' a little old? Eric Vincent (ASCAP) www.curvedominant.com
Jotown Posted January 24, 2003 Author Posted January 24, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Curve Dominant: [b]I love the Donnas. I think they're one of the only bright spots in rock & roll right now. I don't see what all the cattiness is about. Are you guys gettin' a little old?[/b][/quote]Curve, age has nothing to do with ones abilty to know when they have stepped in doggie doo. I saw them on SNL, and Leno, and they were awful on both shows. I don't really care for the Vines, the Hives or many of the new,"the" bands. But they all sound/play better than the Donna's. I think it was Shakespeare who said; "A turd by any other name, will still stink up the house", or something like that. :D Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
Henchman Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 I agree. After all i had ehard, I see them on TV. And find out they are a mediocre barband at best. Horrible vocalist with no charisma or stage presenec whatsoever. Goes to show how low the standards have dropped. IMDB Credit list President George Washington: "The government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian Religion." President Abraham Lincoln: "The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my religion."
BNC Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 yeah, they suck, but its a rock revolution! right? If there wasn't anyone who thought that an all feamle rock band was marketable, they would be nothing, more marketing than talent.
Jotown Posted January 24, 2003 Author Posted January 24, 2003 Huh? :confused: Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
geoffk Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 Didn't seem 'em on tv; but I love their new record. First rock record I've purchased in 10 years or so.
G. Ratte Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 So you guys that are dissing The Donnas... I bet you're stoked that Yes has a new album out, huh? How 'bout that Dream Theater, eh? All the hip kidz love Dream Theater!!! psssh... G. Ratte' http://www.cultdeadcow.com
S_Gould Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 gratte - In case you missed the point here - it has nothing to do with their musical style (which I rather like). The dissapointment is that as live players, they don't appear to cut it. Scott
G. Ratte Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 [quote] gratte - In case you missed the point here - it has nothing to do with their musical style (which I rather like). The dissapointment is that as live players, they don't appear to cut it. [/quote]Ok, gotcha. All I can say is, they played well when I saw 'em last summer. Maybe they were having off nights. Or maybe I was hyp-no-tized and tricked. DECEIVED! Or maybe that's the essential duality of The Donnas. Let's explore. G. Ratte' http://www.cultdeadcow.com
Jotown Posted January 25, 2003 Author Posted January 25, 2003 And one option you did not mention is they just may not be any good. :) Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
Cowbell Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 Yes, the bass player was.....not too good. The drummer could have been less crazy, and the guitarist was ok, buy they would play better if they weren't so focused on exciting the crowd.
Valkyrie Sound Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 I dunno.... I think I'd like to hear them again before I judge them.... I never watch SNL... but I did catch this show... I thought the live broadcast mix was horrible and could have abnormally accented even moderatly "sloppy" playing. I was listening in mono on a typical TV.... it should have translated better. I couldn't hear the lead vocals much at all... a typical problem when you typically pan the lead center and either don't check your mix in mono or one station has a wiring problem.... The rest of the band just sounded like a huge wash of "stuff"... kinda like too much effects in the mix without, again, checking in mono... Anyone heard the album? Valky Valkyrie Sound: http://www.vsoundinc.com Now at TSUTAYA USA: http://www.tsutayausa.com
fantasticsound Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Valkyrie Sound: [b]I dunno.... I think I'd like to hear them again before I judge them.... I never watch SNL... but I did catch this show... I thought the live broadcast mix was horrible and could have abnormally accented even moderatly "sloppy" playing. I was listening in mono on a typical TV.... it should have translated better. I couldn't hear the lead vocals much at all... a typical problem when you typically pan the lead center and either don't check your mix in mono or one station has a wiring problem.... The rest of the band just sounded like a huge wash of "stuff"... kinda like too much effects in the mix without, again, checking in mono... Anyone heard the album? Valky[/b][/quote]Ditto on your comments about the SNL performance, Valky. Unfortunately, the buried vocals had nothing to do with mono-compatibility. I was listening on a stereo tv and heard (Or rather didn't hear! ;) ) the same thing. The broadcast mix was horrible. Does anyone know who mixes what on SNL? I wonder if The Donnas FOH mixer had anything to do with the broadcast mix. That could either be the problem or could have been the solution (if he/she was not involved). I have to say the songs didn't jump out at me as being particularly good. I mirror most of the comments made about their performance. I was impressed with the guitarist's riffs. I'll audition their recorded music, but if it's anything like the SNL performance, ... minute 13, minute 14, minute 15... [i]times up, girls![/i] :D It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd
Jotown Posted January 25, 2003 Author Posted January 25, 2003 [quote]Anyone heard the album? [/quote]I havent heard the album, but I have the single 40 boys in 40 nights. It sounds ok, but as you should know, the odds are that your not realy hearing "the Donna's" on their album. The singer maybe, possibly the guitar player, but I would say it's probably 10 to 1 that a real band did the music. As it is with most new bands that are due to be marketed by the man. I concur with fantasticsound; (anouncers voice) "THE SUCKING SOUND COMING OUT OF YOUR TV SPEAKERS IS NO FAULT OF THE TV SET, THE BAND JUST SUCKS" :D I am telling you, the bass player sounded like she was playing a different tune, both shows I heard them on. If you watch her hands, her technique and timing are just awful. I am used to hearing bad mixes on tv, the Mcartney special comes to mind. But when it is that bad, there is more to the story than the mix. Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
CarmenC Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 Loved them on SNL, so bought the CD. It rocks. Make me drive my car faster in the same way Back in Black does... They moved me... YMMV Peace, Carmen :wave: An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. Sir Winston Churchill
Jotown Posted January 26, 2003 Author Posted January 26, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by CarmenC: [b]Loved them on SNL, so bought the CD. It rocks. Make me drive my car faster in the same way Back in Black does... They moved me... YMMV Peace, Carmen :wave: [/b][/quote]Be careful, I hope you don't get a speeding ticket. The cops won't believe you when you tell them; "The Donna's made me do it". :eek: Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
Jotown Posted January 26, 2003 Author Posted January 26, 2003 I saw a tape of Springstien on SNL, and Pat Metheny on Austin City Limits tonight. I was watching on the same tv set/speakers. The above mentioned acts sounded great, so I repeat: The crappy audio was not the fault of your tv set. :D Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
The Bear Jew Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 Yo... The Donnas definitely play on their records. Always have. Back in the day, their records had a lot of spunk but very little musicality -- the drummer was out of time, the singer out of tune and they were just kinda messy. But they played on, and somewhere around [i]Get Skintight[/i], they started to become a bit more adept on their instruments. I've seen them live (and hung with them). I've seen them develop from younguns. They can definitely play. I've seen them on TV lately, however, and they don't translate well at all. Go figure. \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu
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