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On the road with JOAN JETT
from: theheraldbulletin.com
by Jessica Kerman
When you ask how he's doing, KENNY LAGUNA answers, "I'm rockin'," a phrase that summarizes his decades in the music industry.
Laguna has worked with Tommy James and the Shondells, Music Explosion, Archies, Darlene Love and The Blossoms. And, of course, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.
The New York native currently plays keyboard for Jett. The Herald Bulletin had an opportunity to talk to Laguna about his rock n' roll lifestyle.
THB: What do you think of the state of punk-pop music currently?
Laguna: I think it's less sincere than it originally was, and I think they call things punk and punk-pop that really don't qualify. I think a lot of these guys are educated, and they're marketing themselves. They're not the street merchants that were part of a movement of their economic class. They studied bio-physics and got their PhDs.
THB: What recent bands would be considered true punk-pop?
Laguna: The Cute Lepers. Social Distortion's real.
THB: Have you played in Indiana previously, and what was your impression of the state?
KL:L Ive played in Indiana a zillion times. Tommy James was from South Bend. I'm friends with Mike Tyson. Indiana is just so American, and you have all the different elements and you have the Indianapolis 500, so you got that.
THB: What is it like to work with JOAN JETT? How does she compare to other artists you've worked with in the past?
KL: She's humble. She's supertalented. She's amazing looking. She's got a unique style, which gives her edge. Working with her has been the greatest experience of my career, and I've worked with some amazing people.
Joan is singularly amazing. She treats all people the same. She sits with presidents.
She's got an amazing voice, no other person can sing against guitars like she does. The songs that she has written, she writes those riffs. Her song ideas are amazing.
THB: What kind of difference was there for playing "Crimson and Clover" with Tommy James compared to JOAN JETT?
KL: Joan's is heavier, but Tommy's is amazing. Tommy's record is filled with those original tracks. Joan's is very straight. I get the same feeling every time I play it. It is the most amazing song. The last verse, I just get this amazing rush everytime I play it. Nobody knows what it means, but that's the way Tommy wrote his music. It's not about a person, it's about a state of mind.
THB: On your Web site, you say you'd like to produce the Rolling Stones. Out of any Rolling Stones song, which one would you like to re-produce and what would you change?
KL: To tell you the truth, maybe some of those disco ones. But there's nothing you can do to make the Rolling Stones better than they already are.
They are an awesome menace, but the poppiest thing you can have. They can do the macho thing, and be as good as any bubble gum. The Stones did everything.
THB: Who is your favorite classical music composer, and why?
KL: My aunt Lucy Brown, she was a classical music play in the 1930s, '40s and '50s. I was trained classical, and then I heard Elvis.
My favorite classical composer, if you count Gershwin, George Gershwin. If not, then Bach. Bach is like rock and roll. He's got the same boxsy format. The Beatles proved how Bach could be applied to rock and roll, in the Baroque style, and it fit perfectly.
THB: What do you do outside of work?
KL: I do a lot what I can for the American troops, because I'm in a constant state of guilt because of how well my life is going right now. We do a lot of children's charities. I try to get people elected who could serve this country.
THB: Who are you supporting this year for president?
KL: I'm going to have to vote these guys out. I've always liked (Republican candidate John) McCain, but he's talking crazy right now. I respect the man. He served this country. He spent six years suffering, but that proves he knows how to be a prisoner of war.
We've got to save energy and stop being pigs. We've got to save the planet.
(I'm not) going (to vote) for (Ralph) Nader because that sucker got us what we've had for eight years. So I'm stuck with (Barack) Obama.
We just can't afford another eight years with these guys.
THB: You have anything else you want to add?
KL: We're going to rock your socks off.
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It's been 26 years since "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was the top song in the spring of 1982. But JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS are rocking hard with punk pop.
The band will perform Friday night at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. Tickets are $35.
Jett and keyboardist KENNY LAGUNA formed BLACKHEART RECORDS and have signed The Dollyrots trio whose song "Because I'm Awesome" was featured on the Ugly Betty TV show among others. Other bands on Blackheart include Girl in a Coma, which opened for Morrissey, and The Cute Lepers. Even though sheÕs nearing 50, JOAN JETTÕs still a punk.
Among other tidbits:
Her latest CD is "SINNER."
Cadillac presented a feature of Internet shorts with Joan being the first featured artist in this series. Joan and KENNY LAGUNA actually sold albums out of the back of Kenny's caddy in the early days, they tell their story at www.mycadillac.com
"Bad Reputation" is being used by TV show American Chopper as their theme song.
Producers Art and John Linson will bring the RUNAWAYS coming-of-age story to the big screen in "Neon Angels." Jett, who first came to critical notice as a Runaway, is the executive producer along with Laguna. Floria Sigismondi, who directed videos for David Bowie, the White Stripes and Marilyn Manson, will write and direct the drama.
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If you go
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS
Concert at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino
Times: 7:30 and 10 p.m.
Admission: $35 or $20 with Club Centaur card
Tickets: (800) 526-7223 or Shelby's Gifts at Hoosier Park
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