BETTER OFF INDIE

It's quite common for a band to badmouth a major label once they've parted ways.

The Donnas aren't about to bash Atlantic Records, which released two solid but overlooked albums by the California punk band. (An option for a third Atlantic album was not exercised.)

"We had a great experience being on Atlantic," guitarist Allison Robertson, a.k.a. Donna R, tells Sounding Off. "We learned how a machine other than that of indie rock operates, and we were able to find out where we fit into the music industry through our time there. We have always been true to ourselves to the point of coming off as hard-headed at times, and I think being on a major label helped us transition from being stubborn in our operations to open-minded but confident in our gut feelings."

"I think everyone (at Atlantic) was working very hard," adds drummer Torry Castellano, a.k.a. Donna C, "but there was just too much work for too few people, and so it just felt like it wasn't the right place for us anymore."

Free to do whatever they wanted, The Donnas elected to go the indie route again -- but not Lookout! Records, the band's home prior to Atlantic.

Instead, the group formed its own imprint, Purple Feather.

"The idea of starting our own label began as kind of a joke," recalls singer Brett Anderson, a.k.a. Donna A. "We'd just be in the studio recording and talking about the business side, and someone would (say), 'We should just put it out ourselves.'

"After a while, that evolved to, 'Let's just put it out ourselves!' Between the chaotic state of the music industry, the independence and control bands can get from the Internet -- and our confidence in our managers -- it went from a pipe dream to a reality."

"In the end, Purple Feather Records offered us the best deal -- freedom," adds bassist Maya Ford, a.k.a. Donna F.

Bitchin', the first Donnas album on Purple Feather, was released last month.

"(It) was a blast to make, through and through," says Robertson. "We did it in (co-producer) Jay Ruston's home studio for the most part, and we had no hard deadline set, nor did we have any visitors or distractions. We were completely immersed in rock 'n' roll."

The band's tour supporting Bitchin' rolls into New York on Wednesday (Oct. 10) for a gig at the Highline Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St. Visit www.highlineballroom.com.

The official Donnas site is www.thedonnas.com.