Bad reputation: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts bring it to The Orange Peel
by Laura Blackley | CITIZEN-TIMES CORRESPONDENT
published November 17, 2006 12:15 am

Joan Jett has earned her hard-won reputation as a trailblazing pioneer in the world of rock ‘n’ roll. She penned her first song, “Cherry Bomb,” at the tender age of 15. She was the first woman to start her own record label, Blackheart Records. Her unapologetic sneer, throaty roar and tough-as-nails presence have inspired legions of punk-rock girls to take up the guitar and play it loud. She’s also one of the few women in rock who have enjoyed career longevity in a music industry that emphasizes youth over experience.

 

Laura Blackley: What’s the inspiration behind the material on your newest recording, “Sinner?”

Joan Jett: I just wanted to get my songs out there — that’s what I do, I make music. I’m really proud of the material on “Sinner.” It’s representative of what I do, what the fans expect. It’s straight-up rock ‘n’ roll that touches on a lot of relationship stuff — love, sex, politics, spirituality ... those are difficult subjects.

LB: Is it possible to be both a feminist and a punk rocker

and if so, how?

JJ: Of course it’s possible. Both of those things, feminism and punk rock, are so subjective. I’m finding in my own life that as I get older that people are gonna see things the way they are gonna see them — my feminism might be totally different from someone else’s. But to me both punk rock and feminism mean independence, following your own path — not just being a sheep.

LB: How is the climate for women in rock today different compared to when you started making music?

JJ: It’s definitely different — it’s changed because nowadays there’s this illusion that we’ve attained equality for women — not just in rock ‘n’ roll but in every walk of life. I’m just sitting here wondering, ‘Where are all the girls?’ I know there are girls out there rockin’ out because I meet them in every city, and they all tell me they have a band, but for some reason they’re not allowed to get above a level of playing clubs. I’m not talking about pop-rock, which gets thrown in there, I’m talking about loud, screaming rock ‘n’ roll, which is a different thing. I’m not sure why women playing rock ‘n’ roll is such a threat, but I do know that rock ‘n’ roll is all about owning your own sexuality, and somehow if women are owning their own sexuality, it’s some kind of threat.

LB: Any advice to up-and-coming rockers?

JJ: Don’t give up. Make a genuine attempt to do it if you have a dream about doing something. If you give it a shot and don’t make it, at least you will know that you tried, and you’ll have a bunch of good stories later in life. It’s a mean business, it’s bad to your self-esteem, people cut you down, but I’d still say go for it and work on your songs — don’t worry about the press and all that — it’ll come if you’re good.