Bands Let Loose a Gust of Female Power

The next generation of girl rockers, or a charming throwback to Runaways-era bad-chick band? Whatever the case, the Donnas rocked the Roxy on Thursday, the first of two consecutive sold-out nights.

Creating a collision of girl-group eras, the bill also featured Bratmobile, a pioneer of the early-’90s female-empowering riot grrrl movement, whose confrontational songs gave voice to the frustration and trauma of living in a man’s, man’s, man’s world.

Bratmobile singer Allison Wolfe, drummer Molly Neuman and guitarist Erin Smith were joined by a keyboardist, lending a garage-rock feel to their staccato punk. Their songs had a deceptively carefree bounce, but Wolfe’s shouting vocals let loose feelings of defiance and menace. But after 40 minutes, the music became too monochromatic.

Groups such as Bratmobile may have smoothed the way for the Donnas, but the Palo Alto-based headliners’ 45 minutes of crunching punk-metal subscribed more to traditional headbangers’ party-time attitude than to any feminist stance. The band’s name--with members distinguished by their initials, e.g. Donna C., Donna A., et al--evokes punk legends the Ramones, but the influence of KISS and Judas Priest was stronger in their songs and stage manner.

Fueled by suburban boredom, the cherry-bomb twists in such taunts as “Are You Gonna Move It for Me,” from their current album “Turn 21,” were hardly revolutionary. If the Donnas didn’t break down any barriers, it was still a thrill to see them rock for the sheer exhilaration of it.