THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409220084
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICKEY WRIGHT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
THERE'S A riot goin' on, and Joan Jett helped start it.
``Pure and Simple,'' her latest album with the Blackhearts, is fueled in large part by Jett's association with the riot grrrl movement pioneered by the punk band Bikini Kill. That group's leader, Kathleen Hanna, acknowledged her debt to Jett's trailblazing work and collaborated on four of the disc's songs. Other women rockers from L7 and Babes in Toyland contributed as well.
Her influence on a generation of girls, grrrls and guys with guitars would be hard to underestimate. Just think of how many youngsters must have picked up instruments after the mega-success of her ``I Love Rock 'n' Roll'' album and single in 1982. Jett's modest about her long-term impact, though.
``You know, that's so weird to hear, because I never read about those things,'' Jett said, in a telephone interview. ``So to hear those things, it's like, `You're kidding me.' ''
The less-than-enthusiastic media reception given the Runaways, the all-women band that brought her to prominence in the '70s, still colors her remarks.
``As important as I felt the Runaways were, we were so put down by the press that I thought that nobody would really care. To hear anyone, male or female, say we were an inspiration is great. It's very humbling to me. It's nice to think that whatever it was that turned me on to playing can be passed on to someone else.''
Jett's traditionally eclectic audiences, which include everyone from teenage girls to bikers, have seen the effect of her reborn cachet among alternative-rock musicians.
``Basically, you've got the same wide cross section that you've always had. Maybe the college crowd that respects bands like Bikini Kill or bands like L7 or Babes in Toyland who don't consider themselves riot grrrls, have read in various publications that the Runaways were an influence on what they do.''
Which isn't to say she's not frustrated by the industry-driven schism between mainstream and alternative rock.
``Once you become successful, people treat you differently. You can have the same dynamic, the same verve, but you wind up being seen as a rock star, and people think you've sold out. I mean, wait a minute, my heart never left the scene I started with.''
Blackheart Records has also released independently distributed versions of her first four albums on CD with bonus tracks, as well as a retrospective of rarities called ``Flashback.'' Her loyal fans must love 'em.
``A lot of people have mentioned them, especially something like `I Love Rock 'n' Roll.' The record company (Boardwalk) went out of business. It sold out when it was at No. 8 or something, so it's basically been out of print since 1982.''
Jett's still logging thousands of miles a year on tour, and expects to have been around the States ``a couple times'' by the time the ``Pure and Simple'' junkets are done.
The band's also seen the Far East this year.
``Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore. The only place that we hadn't played before was Jakarta.
``I think they're just as much into the rock 'n' roll thing; it's just that they don't see it as much. I think a lot of times people look at you with curiosity. You wanna put on the best face for American rock 'n' roll. You don't want people walking away saying, `That's what American rock 'n' roll is?' '' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
GEORGE HOLTZ
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts recently released ``Pure and
Simple.''
by CNB