May 2014 News

Video: Watch JOAN JETT and the Blackheart's Set at the Revolver Golden Gods
from: revolvermag.com
By Revolver Magazine

The 2014 Revolver Golden Gods went down a little over a month ago, and the VH1 Classic highlights special is airing and re-airing on both VH1 Classic and, starting tomorrow, Palladia. If you have yet to catch the show, or if you just want to re-watch some of the highlights, we're sharing standout moments here on RevolverMag.com. Below, you can watch JOAN JETT and the Blackheart's set, which culminated in a jam with Taylor Momsen - and unplanned guest hype man Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top - on Jett's classic "I Hate Myself for Loving You."



You can catch the Golden Gods TV special on VH1 Classic on the following datesâ€"May 30 at 6:30 PM, June 1 at 1:30 AM, June 4 at 1:30 AM and 8 PM, June 9 at 1:30 AM and 3 PM, June 13 at 9 PM, and June 21 at 9:30 PM. The show will also air on Palladia on May 31 at 9 PM and 12 AM, June 3 at 10 PM, June 5 at 4:30 PM, June 8 at 4:30:00 AM, and June 20 at 12 AM.

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JOAN JETT carries on with unvarnished material
from: kansas.com
By Bob Mehr

Over the last year or so, JOAN JETT has been collecting awards and hosannas at a regular clip.

She has been honored with her own day in West Hollywood, has been recognized as a "Golden God" by Revolver magazine, and is about to receive the first ever Icon Award from Alternative Press.

The RUNAWAYS founder and solo star has been the subject or part of all manner of high-profile tributes â€" including a much-publicized turn fronting Nirvana during the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in April.

For Jett, all the praise and plaudits sometimes leave her feeling uneasy. "It's humbling and great and lovely, but I'm not a big chest thumper, in the sense where I like to talk about myself and how great I am," said Jett, who plays the Wichita Riverfest on Sunday.

If Jett is willing to trumpet anything, it's her latest album, "Unvarnished," her first recording in seven years and first with all new material in nearly a decade. "We tend to tour our records pretty hard, and for a long time," Jett said.

"After my last one, 'SINNER,' came out in 2006, we went and did the Warped Tour, did another tour with Eagles of Death Metal and probably were on the road into 2008. Then I got involved in working on the RUNAWAYS movie. So there was a lot going on."
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MORNING BUZZ: Haley, JOAN JETT nosh in NYC, Midlands vet to receive Medal of Honor, and Condi upstages Lindsey
from: thestate.com
By JAMIE SELF



COLUMBIA, SC - - Being the governor of South Carolina has its advantages. Gov. Nikki Haley ate lunch Monday with rock-n-roll legend JOAN JETT at a restaurant in New York City's Waldorf Astoria. Haley is in the Big Apple for the Republican Governors Association Spring meetings. Jett heard the governor is a fan of hers and, it turns out, Jett likes politics, Haley's campaign said. First gentleman Michael Haley also was invited to dine with Haley and Jett.

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Gov. Nikki Haley meets her hero JOAN JETT
from: thestate.com
By ANDREW SHAIN

Of the three people Gov. Nikki Haley has said she would like sit down with, two -- former Gov. Carroll Campbell and former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher -- have passed away.

She got to meet the third on Monday -- rocker JOAN JETT.

Haley and her husband, Michael, lunched with Jett at the Peacock Alley restaurant in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York where the Republican Governors Association is meeting.

Jett heard the governor was a fan of hers and agreed to meet, Haley campaign spokesman Rob Godfrey said. Plus, it turns out the singer of "I Love Rock 'n Roll" is a political junkie.
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6 Famous Artists Who Have Self-Released Their Music: JOAN JETT, Nine Inch Nails, and more
from: musictimes.com
By Joey DeGroot

Countless underground artists choose to self-release their music not by choice, but by necessity, as interested record labels are difficult to come by. However, some huge, major label artists choose to self-release their own music as a way of circumventing the industry system. Here are six famous artists who have self-released their own music.

1. Radiohead
Radiohead's fame can be attributed to a chance meeting between bassist Colin Greenwood and a representative for EMI, who signed the band in 1991 to a six-album deal. After the release of Hail to the Thief in 2003, Radiohead was free of its contract, and nobody was quite sure what the band would do next. Fans were stunned when the band would end up releasing its next album In Rainbows through its own website, announcing the album's release with only ten days notice, and allowing fans to pay whatever they wanted. Radiohead would also self-released its follow-up, The King of Limbs, in 2011.

2. Nine Inch Nails
Similar to Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails was signed to a major label for much of its career until 2007, when the band's contract with Interscope Records expired. Instead of renewing the contract or signing to another label, frontman Trent Reznor decided to release the band's next album Ghosts I-IV through the Nine Inch Nails website, under his own label The Null Corporation.

3. JOAN JETT
The origins of JOAN JETT's solo career are well known by anyone who's seen the video for "Bad Reputation." Twenty-three record labels rejected Jett's self-titled debut album before she finally decided to found her own label and release it herself. When the album sold well, it was re-released by Boardwalk Records the following year under a new name: Bad Reputation.



4. My Bloody Valentine
My Bloody Valentine's follow-up to its classic album Loveless took so long to make, it essentially became the Chinese Democracy of indie rock, with many fans (myself included) believing it would never be released. However, in February 2013, twenty-two years after Loveless, My Bloody Valentine's third album m b v was released through the band's website, but for a surprisingly steep $16. Frontman Kevin Shields has said the band is going "to try to make it cheaper by working with various record companies in the future."

5. Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Will Oldham has been releasing his music through Chicago label Drag City for most of his career. However, his most recent release under the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy name, an eponymous LP from 2013, can only be bought at his shows or on eBay by people who bought it at one of his shows.
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JOAN JETT, Pat Benatar and Macy Gray give strong female presence to 2014 California State Fair concerts
from: sacbee.com
By Tim Swanson | Photo by Brian Nguyen

If the near 100-degree temperatures are making you think of July, here’s something else to remind you of those hot summer nights.

Organizers of the 2014 California State Fair (July 11-27) have announced the lineup for its Toyota Concert series, which offers a “multitude of genres including rhythm & blues, country, classic rock, Top 40 pop, and tribute bands.”

Last year’s lineup had more than a few decade-spanning surprises â€" Disney star Zendaya, aughts flashers Hoobastank, ’90s divas EnVogue, ’80s rockers Night Ranger, just to name a few. Country big-timers Lonestar and LeAnn Rimes where also in the mix, as well as parody master Weird Al Yankovich.

This year follows that spinning-the-radio-dial tradition while also featuring a strong female presence, with Macy Gray, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS and Pat Benatar set to perform. And the bandana-cowboy-hat set will likely queue up early for former Poison front man/reality show star Bret Michaels. Classic and folk rock are also in the house with Steppenwolf and America.

Also classic this year? Soul stalwarts The Spinners. Country is represented by the likes of Phil Vassar as well as Trick Pony. And Queen Nation (a Queen tribute band) returns for a second straight summer.

In addition, the series will host auditions for TV game show “Wheel of Fortune,” a new element this year.

All 15 concerts and two nights of auditions are free with fair admission. Concert begin at 8 p.m. and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. VIP seating is available in advance for an additional fee ($14-$22 per seat).
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JOAN JETT, SoMo, Michael McDonald among Summerfest's Uline Warehouse headliners
from: jsonline.com
By Piet Levy



Groundbreaking rocker JOAN JETT, smooth-talking R&B newcomer SoMo and blue-eyed soul man Michael McDonald are among the headliners set for the Uline Warehouse at Summerfest this year.

Also playing the north end stage will be prog rockers Kansas, New Wave band Berlin, enduring pop-rock heartthrob Rick Springfield, bluesy singer-songwriter ZZ Ward and country newcomer Cole Swindell.

The headliners by day and time are:
. June 25: Rick Springfield (10 p.m.)
. June 26: Kansas (10 p.m.)
. June 27: ZZ Ward (10 p.m.), Saints of Valory (8 p.m.)
. June 28: Michael McDonald (10 p.m.), John Hiatt and the Combo (3 p.m.)
. June 29: David Nail (10 p.m.)
. July 1: Yonder Mountain String Band (9:45 p.m.), Railroad Earth (7 p.m.)
. July 2: JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS (10 p.m.), Berlin featuring Terri Nunn (3 p.m.)
. July 3: SoMo (10 p.m.)
. July 4: The Chainsmokers (10 p.m.)
. July 5: George Thorogood & the Destroyers (10 p.m.)
. July 6: Cole Swindell (9:30 p.m.); Jacob Martin Band (8 p.m.)
Summerfest is wrapping up a series of daily schedule announcements for its ground stage headliners this week. Last week, it revealed the acts and showtimes for the Miller Lite Oasis,BMO Harris Pavilion,Harley-Davidson Roadhouse, the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard and the U.S. Cellular Connection Stage.

So far, 114 acts have been confirmed for the ground stages.

Officials also have confirmed 10 of the 11 Marcus Amphitheater headliners: Bruno Mars, June 25; Lady Gaga, June 26; Brad Paisley, June 27; Luke Bryan, June 28; Outkast, June 29; Dave Matthews Band, July 2; Zac Brown Band, July 3; Motley Crue, July 4; Fall Out Boy and Paramore, July 5; and Usher, July 6.
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JOAN JETT becomes first female performer to headline balloon festival with July 27 performance
from: mycentraljersey.com
By Staff Report

READINGTON â€" She helped turn the rock world upside down and now JOAN JETT will be taking it to new heights as she becomes the first female performer to headline the 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning on July 27.

The New Jersey Lottery presents JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS in association with NJ101.5 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27. Lawn seating, which includes general admission into the Festival, are on sale now at www.balloonfestival.com.

As the leader of the hard-rocking BLACKHEARTS, Jett has had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics "Bad Reputation," "I Love Rock 'N' Roll," "I Hate Myself for Loving You," and "Crimson and Clover."

Jett's music has become a permanent force in mainstream culture. A version of "I Hate Myself for Loving You" has been the theme for NBC's Sunday Night Football telecasts, performed this past season by Carrie Underwood ("Waiting All Day for Sunday Night"). Her music is heard in countless films and TV shows including "Easy A," "Kick Ass," "The RUNAWAYS," "Shrek," "Baby Mama" and many more.

Since co-founding the RUNAWAYS, the pioneering all-girl punk quartet, at age 15, Jett's determination and drive have kept her in the public eye. She was able to see her story told in "The RUNAWAYS," the film based on Cherie Currie's book "Neon Angel," starring Kristen Stewart as Jett and fellow Dakota Fanning as Currie. Jett served as an executive producer.

A sports fan, Jett's "Bad Reputation" was used by UFC's women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey as her walkout song at the pay-per-view event UFC 157. Her cover of "Love is All Around" from The Mary Tyler Moore Show was used to promote the NCAA's Women's Final Four basketball tournament. She has also supplied theme songs for the ESPN X-Games premiere and has performed the national anthem at numerous sporting events.

"We're thrilled to have the dynamic JOAN JETT as our first female headliner," said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. "Her music connects with our attendees, from the parents who grew up listening to her in the late '70s to their children who enjoy her music today across so many platforms."

The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in association with PNC Bank is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The three-day Festival, July 25-26-27 at Solberg Airport, features twice-a-day mass ascensions of more than 100 balloons from around the world and a concert series. The announced concert lineup to date features America on Friday, July 25; 3 Doors Down on Saturday, July 26; and JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS on Sunday, July 27.

General admission tickets, which include admission into the festival, the hot air balloon ascensions and lawn seating for concerts, are available at www.balloonfestival.

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Rocker JOAN JETT carries on with unvarnished material
from: gomemphis.com
By Bob Mehr

Over the last year or so, JOAN JETT has been collecting awards and hosannas at a regular clip. She has been honored with her own day in West Hollywood, been recognized as a "Golden God" by Revolver magazine, and is about to receive the first ever Icon Award from Alternative Press. The RUNAWAYS founder and solo star has been the subject or part of all manner of high-profile tributes â€" including a much-publicized turn fronting Nirvana during the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony last month.

For Jett, all the praise and plaudits sometimes leave her feeling uneasy. "It's humbling and great and lovely, but I'm not a big chest thumper, in the sense where I like to talk about myself and how great I am," says Jett, who plays the Beale Street Music Festival on Saturday.

If Jett is willing to trumpet anything, it's her latest album, Unvarnished â€" her first record in seven years and first with all new material in nearly a decade. "We tend to tour our records pretty hard, and for a long time," says Jett. "After my last one, SINNER, came out in 2006, we went and did the Warped Tour, did another tour with Eagles of Death Metal and probably were on the road into 2008. Then I got involved in working on the RUNAWAYS movie. So there was a lot going on."

Jett also took time to deal with the deaths of both her parents and with a case of what she assumed was writer's block.

"I figured out the writer's block. You know what the secret is? It's work! I thought things would just flop out like they did sometimes when I was a kid. Because sometimes words and music would just fly out of you, and you forget that that's not the norm," says Jett. "The norm is you get an idea, you sit down, put some work in on it, and then you come back to it the next day. And keep coming back and chipping away at it. Once I remembered that, I realized I didn't have writer's block, I just needed to work harder at it."

A tireless touring act, Jett began road-testing a batch of new songs in 2011. "It's one thing for you to love a song, but you never know what it is until you get out there in front of people," she says. "Not just to see how the audience responds, but how the band feels about it. It hones the song in ways that you couldn't really do in a rehearsal room or a studio."
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