Sometimes I wish I could have been born 15 years earlier when music was actually good. When it was real. Before the days of auto-tune and doctored vocals. The Carpenters, Queen, the Runaways, Joan Jett.
Currently, I'm watching The Runaways, a biopic that was released earlier this year. It tells the story of Joan Jett's first band--an all girl band who headlined songs like "Cherry Bomb" "Queens of Noise" and "Dead End Justice"--a band that challenged just about every stereotype that existed for teenage girls in that era. In the 70's, girls did NOT play rock 'n' roll--they just didn't. The Runaways, however, pretty much said "to hell with stereotypes" and I love 'em for it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a feminist, but I'm glad they could "stick it to the man" so to speak.
'Cause we're the Queens of Noise
Come and get it boys
Queens of Noise
Not just one of your toys
Sadly, though the cause is often disputed, I tend to side with the theory that Kim Fowley, the band's manager was the cause of their dissolution in 1979. His sole angle for marketing the girls was as "jail bait"--a persona that never allowed the band to be taken seriously. To the general American public, the girls were never appreciated for their music, just for their sex appeal.
Can't stay at home, can't stay in school
Old folks say, you poor little fool
Down the street I'm the girl next door
I'm the fox you've been waiting for
Hello daddy, hello mom
I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!
Hello world I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!
Some might argue that, with lyrics like that, maybe they were asking to be "jail bait." But what most people don't know is that Kim Fowley was a major contributor to the lyrics of that song--just part of his plan? Maybe, maybe not.
Regardless of the cause, the Runaways disbanded in 1979, Currie battling with drug and alcohol addicion, Jett going on to successfully pursue a solo career. Really, their story is quite amazing and the music is excellent--check it out if you haven't before.
In the film, Dakota Fanning portrays Cherie Currie, Kristen Stewart Joan Jett. It's the edgiest role Fanning's portrayed in her career, and she's pretty damn believable as the strung-out, sexed up "cherry bomb." With scenes like her drug overdose in Japan, her visit to rehab, and the moment when she finally stands up to Fowley, Fanning truly embraced the struggle of Cherie's rise to fame and rocky plummet off of the other side.
In the role of Jett, Stewart demonstrates that she's got more depth than we see in her alter ego of Twilight's Bella Swan. I've watched a number of Joan Jett interviews over the years and I can say with confidence that Stewart portrays the goddess of rock 'n' roll flawlessly. Her mannerisms, her style, the way she carries herself--exact mirrors of Jett. The only thing that would have made the film better would have been a true Kristen Stewart cover of Jett's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," but she certainly does well enough with her rendition of "I Love Playing with Fire."
The film represents the ongoing struggle of stereotypes in the world of music and encourages those of us who weren't alive at that time period to appreciate how far women have come over the last 25 years (even if today's music is no match for the edgy strains of The Runaways)
Review grade: A (Check it out if you've got the opportunity--it's well worth your time)
As for me, I'll close my post with the usual stuff:
Favorite Runaways Song: Dead End Justice
Favorite Joan Jett Song: Bad Reputation
One thing I'm afraid of: Barges
Place I want to travel to: Sydney, Australia
See you next time. Have a good night :)
No comments:
Post a Comment