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JOAN JETT still rocking her own way after 25 years
from: timesleader.com
by Christopher J. Hughes For Times Leader
JOAN JETT is the original "riot grrrl" credited with breaking down the gender barrier that had plagued rock ’n’ roll for decades.
After almost 30 record labels turned her down after 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 continued 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 came along to play as a headliner on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour, which rolls into the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain today, she took it and ran.
"When I was offered a spot, it was something that I was happy to accept," she said in a recent phone interview after a Warped Tour stop in Pittsburgh.
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 with "SINNER," a record offering 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.
The album opens with "Riddles," which focuses on political doublespeak that often clutters the airwaves. Jett admits that politics was a hard subject to approach because she didn’t want the lyrics to sound trite.
Through the Warped Tour and the new album, Jett has been able to connect with a younger generation of listeners.
"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."
The numbers support her.
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 today’s show 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.
Concertgoers should check the huge set list at Montage as they arrive. 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."
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