Personnel: Brett Anderson (vocals); Allison Robertson (guitar, background vocals); Maya Ford (bass guitar, background vocals); Torry Castellano (drums, percussion, background vocals). Audio Mixer: Jay Ruston. Recording information: Clear Lake Audio, North Hollywood, CA; TRS West, Sherman Oaks, CA; Unison Music Studios, Hollywood, CA. Putting aside entirely their early roots in the post-Green Day pop-punk scene alongside fellow Lookout! Records alumni like the Mr. T Experience, BITCHIN' completes the mainstream makeover of the Donnas as a sort of post-modern cross between Pat Benatar and HYSTERIA-era Def Leppard. BITCHIN' is a glossy-sounding hard rock album that features only the barest trace of the band's earlier sound. However, this is no bad thing: the Donnas' clear antecedents, the Runaways, were never interested in staying in the punk rock ghetto: witness the far more commercially successful careers of Lita Ford, Joan Jett, and even bassist Michael Steele in the Bangles. The candy-coated pop rock of BITCHIN' is entirely in keeping with the sound and spirit of the Donnas' pioneering forebears. Highlights include the snarky title track and "Wasted."
