In a new Rolling Stone interview, Joan Jett touched on topics like sexism, and past criticisms of an association between sexism and hair metal bands, suggesting that critics need to "chill out" about its lyrical contents and reputations over the years.
The interview is timely, as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are set to head out this summer on a monster package bill with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Poison—the perfect archetypes of the hair metal genre, all with their own instances and admissions that some argue do support the sexism claim.
"[Sexism]'s very prevalent, all over rock n' roll," Jett said. "Look, all I can do as the woman I am is go out there and show an alternative view and do it my way. If I had to weed out every band you thought was problematic, I mean, there wouldn't be very many left."
When asked about if progress has been made through the years, Jett said, "That's a good question. The bands I listened to weren't necessarily at all misogynistic, but I'm talking about guys like Fugazi. I would say [it's] probably not as misogynistic [now], just because of their openness to getting criticized about it, because you get creamed online and people seem to care about that. That doesn't mean that it changes who they are, so maybe that's dangerous. It goes underground. But I think things are changing."
Recently, Jett was asked about comments made by Ted Nugent after the right-wing rocker went on a tirade about her inclusion in a list compiled by Rolling Stone of the 100 Greatest Guitarists. But Jett—not being one for drama—brushed it off, suggesting Nugent's antics were nothing she hadn't heard and had to endure throughout her entire career.
You can catch Jett on tour with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Poison next month.
6/16 – Atlanta, GA @ Suntrust Park [Tickets]
6/18 – Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium [Tickets]
6/19 – Orlando, FL @ Camping World Stadium [Tickets]
6/22 – Washington, DC @ Nationals Park [Tickets]
6/24 – Queens, NY @ Citi Field [Tickets]
6/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Citizens Bank Park [Tickets]
6/28 – Charlotte, NC @ Bank Of America Stadium [Tickets]
6/30 – Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium [Tickets]
7/2 – Jacksonville, FL @ TIAA Bank Field [Tickets]
7/5 – St. Louis, MO @ Busch Stadium [Tickets]
7/8 – Chicago, IL @ Wrigley Field [Tickets]
7/10 – Detroit, MI @ Comerica Park [Tickets]
7/12 – Hershey, PA @ Hershey Park Stadium [Tickets]
7/14 – Cleveland, OH @ First Energy Stadium [Tickets]
7/15 – Cincinnati, OH @ Great American Ballpark [Tickets]
7/17 – Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Field [Tickets]
7/19 – Kansas City, MO @ Kauffman Stadium [Tickets]
7/21 – Denver, CO @ Coors Field [Tickets]
8/5 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park [Tickets]
8/6 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Parl [Tickets]
8/10 – Buffalo, NY @ New Era Field [Tickets]
8/12 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PNC Park [Tickets]
8/14 – Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium [Tickets]
8/19 – Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park [Tickets]
8/21 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome [Tickets]
8/22 – Arlington, TX @ Globe Life Park [Tickets]
8/27 – Inglewood, CA @ Sofi Stadium [Tickets]
8/28 – San Diego, CA @ Petco Park [Tickets]
8/31 – Seattle, WA @ T-Mobile Park [Tickets]
9/7 – San Francisco, CA @ Oracle Park [Tickets]
