Brett Anderson

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Interview

Brett is the lead singer of The Donnas – Interview by Clint (with help from Jack & Mark)

CM: If I asked you to name your top 5 female singers would you try to sneak Claudio from Coheed & Cambria on the list because he sounds like a girl?
BA: Well my top five slots would be full, but if you’re talking top 500, then yes, absolutely.

CM: Do you think that bands like you and the Ramones have a special bond, being siblings and all?
BA: Genetics ain’t shit, it’s all about being jumped in. Rock Mafia Per La Vita!!!

CM: The song “Take It Off” is lyrically deep and metaphorical, almost Machiavellian, can you explain what it means?
BA: We wanted on the stripper charts, what can I say? So yeah, Machiavellian, exactly. Wait ’til you hear parts two and three, about the other two personality traits that make up The Dark Triad: narcissism (Take Me Off), and psychopathy (Put It On).

CM: You guys have done some awesome cover songs (Too Fast For Love, Strutter, Speeding Back to My Baby, etc.) but I am noticing a glaring omission. Why haven’t you ever covered a Vixen song?
BA: We’re saving that for when we start covering videos.

CM: You recorded “Get Skintight” with Jeff and Steven McDonald from Redd Kross. Did they try to give you hair and makeup tips?
BA: They were au naturel at the time.

brett anderson 2 CM: You guys recorded “Round and Round” with Stephen Pearcy. My buddy Jack was such a huge RATT fan in high school his nickname was Jack “RATT” Ladd. Now it’s Jack “Mother Fucking” Ladd. Which is cooler and what was your nickname in high school?
BA: Jack “Mother Fucking” Ladd is a generic “Mother Fucking” nickname, however, as with any nickname, it all depends on the details of how he earned it, and whether he earned it. Everyone in the band has 10+ nicknames, the horn nickname (I’m Saxabone) the male singer nickname (I’m Billy Joel) etc. I could go on ad infinitum.

CM: When you guys put on the KISS make up for the “Strutter” video was Torry bummed she had to be Peter Criss? Even though she was the drummer she really wanted to be Ace because he’s the coolest, right?
BA: Ace’s makeup is totally the most carcinogenic, which is cool, but she likes Peter, and I was pretty stoked to be Paul too, as a lady, embodying the Starchild was pretty magical. And the makeup artist that did my makeup that day so many moons ago is named …Alison! what are the odds?! (That’s a rhetorical question).

CM: Torry retired in July because of her shoulder injury, I’m sure you guys are bummed, but did you also look at it as a chance to get that bald guy from AC/DC?
BA: She actually personally referred John Stamos, but he stuck to the formula too much and didn’t want to bring in his own style, which was the original appeal, so it kinda defeated the purpose.

Donnas CM: Axl Rose: crazy or misunderstood?
BA: A little bit Country, a little bit Rock N’ Roll. And by Country I mean racist.

CM: Allison: She’s bad ass. (Not really a question, just saying).
BA: She got them chops! (Not really an answer, just saying ….too.)

CM: Serious question: The Donnas (or members of) have done various events that benefit different causes (Autism Speaks, Music Cares MAP, etc.) Anything you want people know about or websites they should check out to donate or help?
BA: This is a really great charity that I’ve had some involvement with to promote research for the treatment of rare cancers: TargetCancer

CM: What 5 obscure or under appreciated bands would you recommend people check out?
Brightblack Morning Light – like sonic mescaline.
Vetiver – San Francisco gives us beautiful tunes from beautiful people.
Free Energy – an audio disease, the good kind.
Warren Ellis – everybody’s got their Warren: Nate Dogg’s got G, Nick Cave’s got Ellis.
The Gregory Brothers – did you know they’re giving Antione Dodson half of the proceeds of their song “Bed Intruder” based on his TV news interview?!
Christine Balfa- We got lightning in a bottle here! Triangle Interview (if you’re all ADD and shit, just skip to 2:18, but the whole interview’s only like 4 minutes).