May 2009 News

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) hosted a Fleet Week New York City 2009 kickoff-party at the Hard Rock CafŽ May 20 with free food and a free concert by JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, for Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.

Fleet Week has been the city's way of celebrating the sea services nearly every year since 1984. It provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.

Although the Hard Rock opens their doors for this event and the troops every year, it was an exciting experience for newcomers to Fleet Week.

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) enjoyed special guests while en route to Fleet Week New York City 2009.

Rocker JOAN JETT of JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS and the Liberty Bells from the Uniform Services Organization (USO) entertained the crew as it arrived in New York for the annual celebration of the sea services.

The Liberty Bells, a five-person group who come on board each year to perform for service members prior to arriving at Fleet Week New York, say that even though they've performed on board ships before, each time is different and exciting.

"We keep coming back because of the men and women of the armed forces," said Ali Bertash, a performer for the Liberty Bells. "They work so hard every day and act so selflessly. They really have to love their job to keep doing it, and we try our best to keep them in good spirits so they can keep fighting."

The Liberty Bells performed a live show in the hangar bay of the Iwo Jima, singing the anthems of each branch of the armed forces and dancing to favorite songs from the past. The crowd went wild as they pulled people on stage with them to dance.

"It was great that they involved us," said Cpl. Garcia Suarez. "It hyped us up more than if they had just stayed on stage."

Jett toured the ship and got the chance to get a closer look at Navy and Marine Corps equipment and warfighting capabilities. Afterward she spent time being photographed with service members and signing autographs. She saw her visit with the Sailors and Marines as a wonderful opportunity.

In this photo released by the United States Navy, entertainer JOAN JETT, fourth from left, poses with unidentified service men and women prior to boarding a Navy helicopter en route to USS Iwo Jima for a tour of the ship during Fleet Week New York, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Approximately 3,000 sailors, marines and coast guardsmen will participate in the 22nd commemoration of Fleet Week New York. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Laurie Wood)

In this photo released by the United States Navy, entertainer JOAN JETT prepares to board a Navy helicopter en route to USS Iwo Jima for a tour of the ship during Fleet Week New York, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Approximately 3,000 sailors, marines and coast guardsmen will participate in the 22nd commemoration of Fleet Week New York. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Laurie L. Wood)

In this photo released by the United States Navy, entertainer JOAN JETT prepares to board a Navy helicopter en route to USS Iwo Jima for a tour of the ship during Fleet Week New York, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Approximately 3,000 sailors, marines and coast guardsmen will participate in the 22nd commemoration of Fleet Week New York. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Laurie L. Wood)








In this photo released by the United States Navy, entertainer JOAN JETT, center, poses with Cmdr. Vicky Streeter, left, and Cmdr. Sue Cerovsky of Carrier Strike Group Twelve Staff prior to touring the USS Iwo Jima for Fleet Week New York, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Approximately 3,000 sailors, marines and coast guardsmen will participate in the 22nd commemoration of Fleet Week New York. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Laurie L. Wood)

JOAN JETT prepares to board a Navy helicopter en route to USS Iowa Jima for a tour of the ship during Fleet Week in New York.

NEW YORK -- New York City will kick off its 22nd annual Fleet Week celebration with a parade of ships along the Hudson River.

Thirteen vessels, including five Canadian ships, are slated to parade up the Hudson River at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The largest and most familiar ship is the USS Iwo Jima, a 40,500-ton assault helicopter carrier.

Fleet Week events will include a military aircraft flyover, free tours of the ships moored at docks in Manhattan and Staten Island, military band performances and tactical demonstrations by troops.

Active-duty military personnel and veterans can also ride for free on NY Waterway commuter ferries this week.

About 100,000 people are expected to visit the warships this week.

Endless Bummer & Nitro Circus The Aggrolites contribute two songs to the upcoming National Lampoon Presents Endless Bummer movie and soundtrack, released on BLACKHEART RECORDS. The teen surf comedy, starring Matthew Lillard and executive produced by Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, will feature The Aggrolites' renditions of The Specials' "Ghost Town" and Musical Youth's "Pass the Dutchie.." Both Ô80s classics have been updated with The Aggrolites' signature style, and "Pass the Dutchie," features legendary Jamaican DJ General Smiley of Michigan & Smiley fame. The soundtrack will be released on June 23 followed by the movie this July. Visit www.endlessbummerthemovie.com and www.blackheart.com. Also, "Work To Do," "Sound of the Bombshell" and "Mr. Misery" were recently featured in MTV's new hit reality series Nitro Circus. Created by Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine of Jackass fame, Nitro Circus is centered on one of the world's premier freestyle motocross riders Travis Pastrana and his crew of top action sport athlete buddies.

THE AGGROLITES are more than a band - they are a movement unto themselves. They carry a banner - one created with their own hands. This banner reads, "Dirty Reggae," and represents their signature fusion of reggae, soul, grit and determination. For 7 magnificent years, this dirty reggae bunch has rolled from city to city, across the pond and up main street USA. They are Jesse Wagner (vocals, lead guitar), Roger Rivas (organ), Brian Dixon (rhythm guitar) and Jeff Roffredo (bass). Out of the Los Angeles school of hard knocks, The Aggrolites have earned a Ph.D in "feel good music." On the road they educate with the thunder and punch of reggae drums and bass, the ripping, soulful melodies of the organ and guitars, and Jesse's voice - a gift from the heavens, a perfectly intact gift from Otis, Sam, Ray and Wilson. Over the course of their career, they have shared the stage with Social Distortion, Madness, Rancid, Flogging Molly, 311, Dropkick Murphys, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Vandals, The Skatalites, The Aquabats, Hepcat, Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. The Aggrolites have performed at such notable events as Vans Warped Tour, Coachella, Bumbershoot, SXSW, CMJ, Sundance Film Festival, Sunset Junction, Detour Music Festival and KROQ's Weenie Roast y Fiesta. Their last album, Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat Records), was released in June 2007

"Through sheer force of will (not to mention grooves so enticing you can't help but fall into them), this quintet simply commands you to buy into their music, which they call "dirty reggae." It's rock-steady with a punk-funk edge, with frontman Jesse Wagner's white-soul vocals and Roger Rivas' crazy organ lines giving it a party-or-die feel." - Kevin Bronson, buzzbands.la

The JAM folks have announced their national/regional line-up for this year's festival -- local performers are still to come. The following is verbatim from their materials:

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS
Few artists boast a wider appeal than JOAN JETT. Beloved by punks, indie rockers, pop lovers, riot grrrls, metal heads, classic rockers, radicals and conservatives, she is 1) a genuine icon and an influential, trailblazing musician, going back to when she helped break down rock's gender barriers and helped pioneer punk music with her teenage band, The RUNAWAYS; 2) a genuine star, with no less than nine Top 40 hit singles and eight Platinum and Gold LPs; 3) a renaissance woman, actress on stage and screen, and knowledgeable and entertaining host of "JOAN JETT's Radio Revolution"; and 4) a continually challenging artist, not content to rest on past laurels.

Drowning Pool
Dallas-based heavy metal group Drowning Pool started their successful career in 2000. Their debut album, SINNER, was certified platinum within six weeks of its release while their first single, "Bodies," was one of the most frequently aired videos on MTV by a new band. They reached out to an ever-greater audience with dynamic performances at Wrestlemania XVIII and Ozzfest during the summers of 2001 and 2002. After the loss of lead singer Dave "Stage" Williams in 2002, the band announced the addition of singer Jason "Gong" Jones in January 2004.

I always have fun hearing the stories behind great rock 'n' roll songs.

So when I heard that JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS were performing at Sam Houston Race Park last Saturday night, I went early and rattled her ears with questions.

Tell me everything about I Love Rock 'n' Roll.

I Love Rock 'n' Roll spent seven weeks as No. 1 on Billboards Hot 100 chart in 1982. The 45 single (history lesson to follow) sold more than 2 million copies. The video played endlessly on a new cable TV channel called MTV. It's No. 56 on Billboards Top Songs of All Time.

...of All Time.

I Love Rock 'n' Roll got Jetts solo career rolling, and more than a quarter-century later, it's still the song her fans scream for in concert.

Todays kids love rock 'n' roll, too, because Jett's greatest hit is included in the Guitar Hero video game.