Brett Anderson never planned on being a rock star.  She was in middle school when she and three girlfriends decided to form a band.  Just a few years later--while still in high school--they were touring Japan, and soon after that they signed a major record deal and became known worldwide.  The Donnas were a hit.In this episode, we learn what it was really like to be "Donna A."--from why she calls her early vocals “screamy and thrashy” to the differences between touring in a van and a tour bus.  The Donnas were often underestimated for being an all-female group, but their bond helped them get through the times they had to "laugh and cry at the same time."  Brett talks about about writing songs, taking care of her voice, performing on "Saturday Night Live," and a lot more stories from backstage. After The Donnas stopped playing music together, Brett went back to school and found new passions.  She shares the joy in discovering second, third, even fourth acts in life.In this episode:How the band came together

Obstacles faced being an all-female band

How the band’s songwriting evolved and how they created their music

How the band grew

Were they really living the rock and roll life, or did they have onstage personas?

What’s the main difference between touring in a van or a tour bus?

How Brett would protect her voice--and issues

What was it like to be on Saturday Night Live?

The importance of being in the moment during a big performance

Tips when forgetting lyrics onstage

Why the band stopped playing together

How it felt going back to school

The Donnas music in movies and videogames