Posted on June 16, 2010 - by Editor

Joan Jett And The Blackhearts

Joan Jett And the Blackhearts © John Rahim

100 Club
London, UK
Monday 14th June 2010

When the announcement was made for Joan Jett and her accompanying Blackhearts to perform an intimate show at the iconic 100 Club in London, it was hardly unsurprising that the gig’s approximately 300 tickets sold out in a matter of minutes. For many it would be a rekindling of a fan-artist relationship and for some lucky others it would initiate the start of that journey, but whether the experience would be based on nostalgia alone or genuine current appreciation for one of rock and rolls most famous female stars is what I was most interested in.

By the time of my arrival at the Oxford Street venue, one which has seen its fair share of great bands that litter musical history; acting of course as the setting for punks first festival in 1976 which included bands such as Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Buzzcocks, The Vibrators and Subway Sect, the venue was around half filled with an utter eclectic mix of punters. Joan Jett of course in the 70’s was heavily involved in the all girl punk rock band The Runaways which was included in the west coast punk scene in the US and their attitude and musical material alone certainly lent itself to that association, before pursuing a solo career and recording a number of famous rock ballads.

The crowd was representative of the cross appeal for the American Rock ‘n Roll legend, from Mohawk punks, barroom rock and rollers, glam rockers, aged greying beards and balding spots to younger kids expressing the latest interpretation of old school fashion. There were no support bands on the night, so the crowd made itself comfortable by settling into a few drinks and finding a spot in front of the stage opposite the ground level large Black and White band backdrop;  the venue with its inconveniencing pillars (London venues!) became increasingly full, warm and sweaty.

Finally at around nine in the evening, the Blackhearts initially made their way on stage; blonde haired Thommy Price on drums, Black haired Enzo on bass, spiky blonde Dougie Needles on guitar and the elder rocker Kenny on keys and backup vocals; all dressed in black. Joan came on stage, still in incredibly good shape and attractive and took up her position on stage-centre to a loud, and warm response, acknowledging the intimate surroundings and the fact despite her numerous appearances in the UK, she had yet to play the 100 Club. The band struck up a double dose introduction to the night with ‘Bad Reputation’ and The Runaways  ‘Cherry Bomb’, the sound was terrific and Joan’s vocals enviable and instantly recognisable for all her hits over the decades.

After the double burst, Joan wiping the sweat away, announcing “we are from New York, do you like it nice tight and sweaty” to a few sheepish grins and racing into the next sing along ‘Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)’ despite their roadie demanding the drums be turned down across the stage, the band sound menacing, loud and inspired, belting out glam rock, punk rock songs that could easily ignite the forthcoming stadium arena tour supporting Green Day into a cauldron of perfect noise.

To say that Joan knows how to perform and master her guitar is an understatement, locking eyes with individual fans, prowling the stage left to right to make sure all get their moment and honestly giving it all as the band perform favourites such as The Replacements cover from the “Sinner” album ‘Androgynous’, Joans first ever song written for The Runaways ‘You Drive Me Wild’ and The Blackhearts ‘What Can I Do For You’. The fans are singing most song back in full voice and full of gusto, and for those less educated in the bands musical history, Joan politely starts to explain the meaning behind each song before performing them as the set progresses, but of course the widely recognised party setter ‘I Love Rock N’ Roll’ requires little introduction but receives a raucous sing along response.

‘Crimson and Clover’, a fast sweet danceable favourite is followed by Joan exclaiming in an understatement “that was fun” before

Joan Jett And the Blackhearts © John Rahim

ending the main set with a bit of a power rock ballad ‘I Hate Myself for Loving You’ and the band walking off stage and “thanking London” before the eventual call for an encore and the bands return.

Starting off with an extended version of the greatly demanded ACDC, built up slowly and exploding in the chorus, the crowd are by now sweaty, fist pumping and expecting the nights end approaching so gives it their all in appreciation of the band before the Blackherts starts with penultimate ‘The French Song’ after which Joan introduces each of the band, to loud cheers. With a final thank you Joan Jett and the Blackhearts end off with their previously recorded cover of Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘Everyday People’ but the song is most apt and a great ending to a memorable show. I was a generation late in missing out on some of rocks and punks iconic performers play in their heyday and many since have failed to live up to my expectations, holding painfully onto a time that has past them by; Joan Jett  is mesmerizing, a consummate performer and musician who can still rock out with the best of them.