Joan Jett And The Blackhearts Bad Reputation Nation

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The special talk of Joan Jet and Seiji
from: guitarwolf.net
by Seiji

1. The shows in Japan were just amazing. I was watching the show in the front row of the crowd and I was so excited. And I was very happy to support you, and I thought Guitar Wolf and the BLACKHEARTS was a good match. How did you think of the show with Guitar Wolf?
JOAN JETT (JJ): I thought it was great. I have rushed. I thought Guitar Wolf was a great band and a lot of fun. I was very honored that you guys have my name on all the songs. Well, actually I saw you guys recently about 2 months ago at CBGB's in NY and we went down and say hello. It was great to see you again and I thought the show was really fantastic and real high energy and I was watching in the crowd when Guitar Wolf was on and you guys were so into it singing along. So, I think everyone had a great time. That's what it's all about, we supposed to.

2. Thanks for coming to the show at CBGB's and I was really encouraged when you met me just before the show. When I saw the BLACKHEARTS 10 yeas ago, I remember you were playing Ramones before the show and I thought of call on to that and Guitar Wolf play the Ramones before the show now. Are you sort of particular about playing the Ramones before the show?
JJ: Cool!! We had a couple of different songs that we use. We sometimes play the Ramones and the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again", which we are using nearly 20 years since "Bad Reputation" era in early 80s. I think just depends on the show and what's going on. There are a few different ones.

3. It's known that you are a big fan of Suzy Quattro, you even have attended her wedding in Japan. Are you still touching with her?
JJ: I haven't spoken to her for quite a while but I think she's fantastic and she really contributed to me believing that I could play rock n' roll was OK for girls to do that. I really enjoyed listening to her record as a teenager and even since then. She's always been great and I have been very inspired by her. But I haven't touched with her for years actually.

4. Please give us some short comments on the following artists: A) Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers
JJ: I thought they were great trashy band. But see, I was really little bit personally familiar with New York Dolls just because I was laying on the time that I was getting into rock n' roll as a kid. New York Dolls was actually my first concert that I ever saw when I still lived in Washington DC, before I moved to California to start the RUNAWAYS. I was just maybe 12 or 13. I mean, for a little kid was never experiencing that kind of stuff was pretty intense. The gear that they wear, and stuff. I actually took an empty beer bottle on the stage that David Johansen's (laughs). Anyway, I thought that Johnny Thunders was a great guitar player. Nothing fancy, that?s for sure. First word that passed in my mind was trashy and I love that kind of really raw, unpolished sound and style. And I always really enjoy his music whether I was watching or listening.

B) Iggy Pop
JJ: There's gonna be similar comments, but first thing that I think of Iggy is raw and dirty. And we actually played with Iggy a couple of times years and years ago. I think it was in Florida. My way around back to "Bad Reputation" in 1981 or a little bit later. We were opening for him and we had a great time and just always great to see him sweating on stage and bear chest. He's a crazy man. I grew up listening to Stooges and some people know that I've covered Iggy's stuff like "I Wanna Be Your Dog".

C) Elvis Presley
JJ: I think Elvis is responsible for "I Love Rock n' Roll" really. You know why? Because right after we were released that record, I believe it was in November. And we were on the road, and when we were in Memphis, we decided to go to Graceland. The week after "I Love Rock n' Roll" came out. We were hanging up with his gravestone and our van broke down and we stopped there for hours. And I think it was his aunt came out and she brought me to the house. She made comments about how much I look like Elvis and so on. I always carry guitar picks on me and while I stopped there, I took out a guitar pick and laid on Elvis' grave. And right after that, like next week, we start getting the calls of "I Love Rock n' Roll" was gonna be hit and it was doing really well on radio. I thought that maybe Elvis said something to do with it, and spends what you believe in and all that stuff. But what can you say about all this, you know, he's a good guy and the body of rock n' roll for so many people. He really set pace to inspire to people. Unbelievable singer. He's the top.

D) Link Wray
JJ: I know who he is. But I don't know enough about his music.

E) MC5
JJ: Another band I know, but I don't listen to a lot. So, I cannot really comment to these guys, either.

F) Cramps
JJ: I actually saw them many times while I was living in Los Angeles during RUNAWAYS days. I go to the show and I always thought they're really fantastic. I loved Ivy on guitar, sort of 50's styles with reverbs and I always thought that they are great. A lot of fun.

G) Sex Pistols
JJ: Some of the bands that always in my mind. I thought that their records are great. Unbelievable guitar sound, which is something that I keen on is guitar sound. I just really enjoyed that. I love that "Never Mind the Bollocks" album and played till worn out to buy another one. It was very influential and came out of the time in my life. It was very inspiring both musically and what was going on the scene.

H) Bruce Lee
JJ: He's a good fighter (laughs)! Seriously, I like Bruce Lee, beyond that I know there's a lot of people accomplish at him. I always enjoy his movies but beyond that I never got into too much.

I) Ramones: Do you have any memorable moments or funny stories from the tour when you were in RUNAWAYS?
JJ: Well, I don't really remember any sort of crazy stories, I just have some moments of a getting kick out of watching those guys. Sometimes we go on first, sometimes they go on first. Some places people loved the Ramones and they hated us and another places, they hated the Ramones and loved us (laughs)! So it was a strange tour, but I had a blast. I'd watched the Ramones after we played. I stand on the stage next to Johnny or DD's side, 'cos I knew the songs inside out just being a fun. It was a 77, I’m not sure. I just had such a blast both as a musician and just as a fan. But I remember a little stupid thing like the way Joey pronounce the name of the town, the way he talks. I remember I think it was Belleville, Illinois. But the way Joey with the mic and his hair flying, and very tall. He grabbed the mic and get down and go "Hello, beeellviiille!" (laughs) And I don't know why it sounded funny to me, but all these years later, that one introduction really sticks out my mind, the way pronounce the name of the town. Every time I'm back to that area, it always reminds me of him saying that. I just gotta a kick out of it. Anyway, I was enjoying with them as a fun. We didn't really travelling together or anything like that we really only saw each other at the shows. But beyond that, it was a fun recollection.

5. What kind of kid were you? Did you fight with boys a lot?
JJ: No, I didn't fight with boys. I was really an active kid. I've got along with most people in school and everything. At home, when I was in school, I was very active. Of course, I watched TV and stuff, but not daytime. I was out from the sun came up and the sun came down. I was living in sort of suburbia rural, so there were a lot of woody areas around and like area with creek running through it. So, I spent a lot of time in the woods by the creek, catching little animals, frogs, turtles, etc. I love animals, so I always enjoyed the nature as being a child as being out. Trees and grasses and playing kick balls and dodge balls, you know the all games that kids were used to play. Recently in America, a lot of kids don't really go outside a lot. They grow with computers and stuff. I'm glad where I grew up because I've enjoyed the all those aspects.

6. Do you like gambling?
JJ: Well, I don't really get into it, but I like gambles. My family likes to gamble. They go to Las Vegas a lot and playing gamble little bit, but not too much don't go out there for means. But yeah, my family and I sometimes go Las Vegas and do birthday stuff. I sit down blackjack tables, and that's really all when I gamble. I don't like roulette or slot machines. Sometimes I win a little, sometimes I loose a little. But I never go overboard. Just because I'm not like emotionally into it.

7. Can you tell me some of your favorite movies?
JJ: Wow, movies...that's difficult to me. You know there are so many great movies and when you think of it, we tend to think of big theater releases. Let me think about that.

8. How about your favorite actor or actress?
JJ: Well, I don't really have any favorites. You know, I,m not really good at Ranking. Like say, give me your top 10 albums, and I can't do it. Excuse me, I'm not good at listing. I don't know why. Well, there are so many good actors. However, I don't have any favorites.

9. What kind of food do you like?
JJ: Well, I'm a vegetarian. So I don't eat meat, even fish. Let's see, I eat a lot of Indian food, at least here in the States, because it's easy to get for vegetarian. I like Chinese. I like just to have side dishes like baked potato, vegetables, stuff like that. I'm not sort of an adventurist for foods. So I won't try things like pies or those mixed stuff. I like simple plain food.

10. Do you drive? Or do you own a car or a motorcycle?
JJ: Contrary what people might think, I don't ride motorcycles. I have a couple of friends having motorcycles and I've been on, but I don't really ride motorcycles. I'm a little afraid of them. Not of them as much as what could have when you are on it. So, it's a little scary for me. But I have a car. I drive black Cadillac.

11. We were really impressed with your new album, "Naked". I especially thought that "Science Fiction (Punk Version)" was a very cool. And my overall impression was that there were a lot of punkish songs and your heavy side has increased.
JJ: I don't know. Maybe. It's hard for me to judge in that respect. 'Cos it's been such a long process on this one. But I do hear that it's hard and it's got some punky elements.

12. Are you going on a world tour soon with this album?
JJ: Well, we always play, you know. We'll be on the road in the States. But I'm absolutely planning to come to Japan, just figuring out when and when we can work out as a tour is the next thing. But I know that we were in Japan late last year, we are talking about getting a new CD out and going back to Japan. Now, we have a record coming out and I think it's gonna be important to get back over there and to play some songs from the new album for all people. I'm totally planning to come back to Japan this year, but I just can't tell you when.

13. How was Japan last time?
JJ: I thought it was great. It was too short, you know. 'Cos we were there only a couple of shows with others. I thought that the audience was just awesome and they are really respected and responsible. When we did the club gig with the Guitar Wolf was crazy. Crowds were crazy and it was great to see Guitar Wolf stands and you know, whole experience was so special and it was unique experience and I really enjoyed it. I tried to get outside and walk around a little bit, but maybe next time I hope I can do more.

14. Do you go out for shopping while you are in Japan?
JJ: I'd like to, but I didn't really have an opportunity. When I did a couple of hours of the show 3times, and I get so tired. I still have to do interviews and shows, those of the things that come first, so I have to make sure I'm ready to do that. But maybe next time, 'cos I hear that it's just great shopping in Japan to get out there and several things that I'd like to do. I hope next time I can get some free time in Japan.

15. Do you have any plan to reissue the merchandises?
JJ: Actually, I had thought about it. There's always a possibility, right?

16. Can we drop by your office again sometime?
JJ: Anytime! Doors are always opening for you guys!

17. Can we have a message for us?
JJ: You know what? My hair starts looks like you! (laughs) You know my hair is getting longer and darker now. Seiji, cut my hair for me (laughs)! I think you are a wonderful man and talented musician, and you are very gentle from my experience. You have been very friendly and humble. I just look forward to get to know you better. And I enjoyed seeing you guys in New York late last year, it was a lot of fun. I felt like meeting up a family again. I cannot wait to see you again whether it's in United States or in Japan. Just give you a big kiss!

18. Is there anything you want to comment about a new album?
JJ: Actually, some people asked us that there's a theme of this album, the word "Naked", if there's a particular theme. I don't think we have started out that way. I think initially the title "Naked" certainly ears catching or eye catching. And the songs certainly are about the relationships and things we go through everyday. But I think it's sort of a deeper level from me. I've been always been writing songs about falling in love, falling out of love, having sex, not having sex. It's all complication of love and life. But you know, for me, I've done to a point that start asking questions in life, like, why we are here, why do people suffer, why am I here, what is my purpose, who am I, the name of JOAN JETT, who's behind that...who am I? It's an internal quest, so I think it's an another level. "Naked" is about self-examination. On that sort of spiritual level whatever that people mean for each person, but for me, it's just about go inside and try to find out who am I beyond of the things that everyone including myself knows about me. Who am I besides this JOAN JETT, rock n' roll musician? What are the other aspects? It's not that you are gonna find the necessarily any answers in this album but I'm asking my own questions to myself. So, it is about relationship. It's about falling in love, falling out of love, having sex, not having sex, all those things that I've written about before, but it also has an other elements of self inspection, introspection. I'm just inquiring about the nature of life and universe and what we are doing here. So, it's not back to basic kind thing, I mean, I think it's just more expansive version 'cos it's not just the elements of physicals. Physically, we are having relationships it's not just about the thing that we go through every day about what goes on inside, not just happening outside, you know what I mean? It's not just about talking your heart is getting broken or you know. It's bigger than that and it's hard to put finger on. But it's about introspection of spiritual level. "Naked" also means baring your soul, you are looking under a big spotlight, and what is this? You know what I'm saying? So, "Naked" is in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense.

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