Summit Soundtrack
Legendary rock goddess joins punk rock festival for 2006

Joan Jett is the original "riot grrrl" credited with breaking down the gender barrier that plagued rock and roll for decades. After being turned down by almost 30 record labels following her departure from her earliest band, The Runaways, Jett became the master of her own destiny and created Blackheart Records, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Through everything, Jett continues a heartfelt connection to the music she grew up with and the music she loves to play. It's not surprising, then, that when an opportunity to play as a headliner on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour came along, she took it and ran.

"When I was offered a spot, it was something that I was happy to accept," Jett said in a recent phone interview following a Warped Tour stop in Pittsburgh. "I love the whole idea of the Warped Tour. It's like a rolling block party punk rock festival. The tour is so
much more fun than I expected it to be."

Jett began writing songs at age 15, penning "Cherry Bomb" for The Runaways' debut LP in 1976. She struck gold in 1982 when her smash hit "I Love Rock n' Roll" held the No. 1 spot for eight weeks. The single prompted the sale of 10 million records by the same name.

After not releasing a new studio album in more than a decade, Jett and her bandmates, The Blackhearts, returned to the shelves in June 2006 with "Sinner," a record that offers current political views, personal feelings, and songs drenched in sexuality.

"When I'm writing a record, I just try to represent myself - who I am and how I feel," Jett said. "Everyone who listens to an album takes it a different way. Some people dig the political stuff, others get off on the sexual stuff. I just want people to have a fun musical experience that connects with them in some way."

The album opens with "Riddles," which focuses on political doublespeak that often clutters the airwaves. Jett admits that politics was a hard subject matter to approach because she didn't want the lyrics to sound trite. Additional tracks include "A.C.D.C.,"
"Tube Talkin'," and "A 100 Feet Away."

Through the Warped Tour and the new album, Jett has been able to connect with a younger generation of listeners.

"We've had some really great audiences," she said. "Everyone in the crowd has been really enthusiastic. People are singing the new stuff, too, so it's nice to know that the record is getting out there."

Jett connects with the Warped Tour and how it brings young listeners together.
"Most kids just want to rebel against what people want them to be," she said. "The Warped Tour is geared towards younger kids who may feel some sort of
alienation, and we all feel that way sometimes. The tour provides a great day where kids can feel a sense of community through music and a safe place to go to
hear a lot of excellent bands."

She's right.

The Warped Tour, now in its 12th year overall and second at Montage Mountain, brings a cavalcade of more than 80 bands on numerous stages. Merchandise tents
engulf the lawn, the parking lots and the walkways and, if the defunct water slides were open, audience members could enjoy a dip in the pool, live music and amateur skateboarding on temporary ramps all in one shot.

Highlights for the Friday, Aug. 4, show at Montage include punk-ska favorites Less Than Jake, live hip-hop pioneers Gym Class Heroes, emo greats Motion City Soundtrack and The Early November, and special acoustic sets from Senses Fail and Saves the Day on the first-ever Vagrant Records stage. Concert-goers should check the huge set list at Montage as they arrive on August 4. The fun begins at noon, rain or
shine, and the sets change with each performance.

"I'm always excited to play in Pennsylvania," said Jett, who was born in Philadelphia and has roots in Pittsburgh and Erie. "We've been to Scranton on the road before, so we know that the area rocks."

For more information, visit www.joanjett.com or www.warpedtour.com.

Christopher J. Hughes will put another dime in the jukebox, baby. "Summit Soundtrack" appears bi-monthly in The Journal. Questions, comments, and requests can be sent to chughes@leader.net.