Rock 'n' Roll Heart

Joan Jett brings new songs and a few classics to the House of Blues

by Dave Peña

Joan Jett began her career in the mid 1970s in the all-girl rock band, the Runaways. In the 1980s she had a string of hits including “I Love Rock 'n' Roll,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Bad Reputation” with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. She is a businesswoman who started her own record label, Blackheart Records, and she is a rock 'n' roll icon who has influenced and opened the doors for countless musicians, male and female. With her new album, Sinner, Jett remains true to her original rock style. She recently spoke to AC Weekly about the album and what we can expect at her House of Blues show on Saturday, Nov. 25. There is no doubt that Joan Jett still loves rock 'n' roll.

AC Weekly: Do you still love being on the road?

Joan Jett: Well, let's just say it's interesting. It's intense and it beats you up a lot. After a while, the novelty of traveling in a bus kind of wears off. You just have to enjoy what you're doing.

ACW: You have a fantastic new album. Why did you call it Sinner?

JJ: A couple of reasons. The climate of our country … made me start thinking about sinners and morality. One person's morality and another person's might be drastically different. I started thinking about judgment and how a lot of people might judge me by the way I look and the way I act. Also, a lot of religions, the way they define the word sinner — it's a lot of human traits. To be a sinner is to embrace being human. And I just think it's a strong word. I don't mind being called a sinner.

ACW: You look amazing. How do you manage to stay so rock 'n' roll and so sexy?

JJ: I think my lifestyle is a little boring. I'm not as crazy as I was. I don't drink anymore. I never smoked. I'm a vegetarian now for probably between 15-18 years.

ACW: Do you work out?

JJ: I do a little bit when I'm not on the road. Plus, what I do for a living is pretty strenuous and it keeps me in shape.

ACW: You were born in Philadelphia, but split when you were very young. Do you still have family there?

JJ: I do have family back there. I have a lot of cousins in the area. I wish I visited more.

ACW: Do you have any South Jersey memories?

JJ: Definitely ... My family used to go to Wildwood, N.J. every summer. We spent all of our summers there. My memories are of the boardwalk, playing the arcades and the games, and doing what millions of families do on their vacations. That was us, packed up in the car playing car games in the backseat, while my parents said, “Don't make me stop this car!” The whole deal.

ACW: Blackheart Records has been around over 25 years and running. You started your own independent label to break yourself into the business. How have you seen the music industry change throughout the years?

JJ: I think it's a little easier [to be independent] because with the technology and the Internet … you can get your stuff out to a wide variety of people. But radio, the fact that they've taken all control away from the jocks, and it's all a computerized playlist that's countrywide, I think that's not a good thing. There's just no real opportunity for anyone to break in the way people did years ago … the way we did. The kids forced “I love Rock 'n' Roll” onto the radio. They'd call and request it and people had to play it. I don't know if that same thing would happen today.

ACW: Is Blackheart Records signing new acts?

JJ: Yeah, we have a couple of bands on the label and we're always looking to sign other bands. We have a band called the Eyeliners, and we have a band called the Vacancies. It's great stuff.

ACW: Your greatest rock 'n' roll memory ever?

JJ: I've had so many great rock 'n' roll moments … for me just a satisfying moment was “I Love Rock 'n' Roll” being a hit.

ACW: Your songs are constantly requested at my karaoke bar Planet Rose at the Tropicana here in Atlantic City. Do you karaoke at all?

JJ: I have never done that.

ACW: : I'll have to invite you.

JJ: I might come and watch. I can be more of a voyeur, anyway.

ACW: What can we look forward to at House of Blues?

JJ: You're gonna hear the hits. You're gonna hear a lot of the new record. It's a great show. It's gonna be high energy. Hopefully the audience will get involved and we'll have a good, loud sweaty time.

ACW: What do you like to do when you come to Atlantic City?

JJ: I just like hangin' out by the beach. I enjoy looking at the ocean and breathing the air. But also, I don't gamble a lot, but I play a little blackjack from time to time.

ACW: There would be nothing cooler than seeing Joan Jett at the blackjack table.

JJ: As long as I'm winning.