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Jett Fighter
by Jaime Lees
Published: October 25, 2006

Who gives a crap about Lita Ford? Everybody knows Joan Jett was always the coolest member of the Runaways. She wrote the band’s signature song, “Cherry Bomb,” when she was just a teenager — now that’s talent. Jett also happened to be hottest member of the group, defining the ’70s rocker-chick look with her leather jacket, black mullet and perpetual snarl.

While her contributions to the history of rock & roll fashion are notable, Jett should be most praised for her involvement in changing perceptions of women in rock. She helped elevate the status of females in the simplest of ways: She wasn’t preaching, she wasn’t bitching — she was simply rocking. Joan Jett led by example.

Jett still seems to inspire, if not mentor, the younger ladies. She’s worked with other female rockers and riot grrrl bands including Peaches, L7, Bikini Kill, the Gits and Bratmobile. Jett also gets cred for collaborating with men who are notoriously difficult to work with, such as members of the Sex Pistols and genius perfectionist Ian MacKaye of Fugazi.

Jett’s new music (and specifically her latest album, Sinner) sounds a lot like the music the Distillers have been trying to pull off for years. As an album, Sinner‘s topics revolve around politics, love, gender and sex — heck, it even contains a dirty little ditty called “Fetish,” with porn-style lyrics that seems to be a response to the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog.” Jett also included recordings of a number of cover songs that seem to be unlikely selections, such as an impressive and sincere version of the Replacements’ “Androgynous.”

Though some might say that her glory days have passed, Jett still hasn’t given up the rock or the roll. Not only is she still putting out albums, she’s been involved in a number of other ventures in the entertainment field, including work in quite a few independent movies.

Jett is touring this fall with dirty swagger-rock kings the Eagles of Death Metal, who are most recognizable for their cocky attitude, power-drummer Josh Homme (of Queens of the Stone Age fame) and their mustache-mouth shout-outs to the “ladies” of the audience. They open for Jett this Friday at Mississippi Nights. And don’t worry — Lita Ford won’t be there. — Jamie Lees

8 p.m. Friday, October 27. Mississippi Nights, 914 North First Street. $25. 314-421-3853.

• article link
• Joan Jett – website

Twilight Singers
8 p.m. Tuesday, October 31. Mississippi Nights (914 North First Street).
By Jaime Lees
Published: October 25, 2006

It’s just a fact that Mark Lanegan makes every song sound better. A few years ago, the former Screaming Trees frontman was a surprise hit when he lent his signature sandpaper croon to Queens of the Stone Age; now he has the same kind of guest-vocalist gig with the Greg Dulli-led Twilight Singers, a band that specializes in gorgeous layers of dark, melodic pop strung together with dense and creative song structures. Although ex-Afghan Whig Dulli’s talents have long been overshadowed by his reputation as a weird genius who’s just a little too obsessed with the dark side of life and love, his skills — combined with Lanegan’s presence — make the Twilight Singers an unstoppable force.

• article link
• Twilight Singers – website

Two Gallants
9 p.m. Thursday, October 12. Off Broadway (3509 Lemp Avenue).
By Jaime Lees
Published: October 11, 2006

San Francisco’s latest indie-blues phenomenon, Two Gallants, is a study in contrasts. Bandmates Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel, both only in their early twenties, perform with the passion of a full orchestra. Ballads might begin weighed down with heavy beats, only to suddenly lift and shift into the sparse skeleton of a folk song. And while melodic, bittersweet compositions are the hallmark of Two Gallants’ record company, Saddle Creek, the band’s sound is considerably closer to the Pogues than Bright Eyes. The lyrics on their newest album, What the Toll Tells, weave dark, whiskey-laced tales of heartbreak, jail and life on the road; the songs often draw comparisons to the early works of Johnny Cash. Live, Two Gallants play an emotionally dense set that is guaranteed to impress any listener with a little hurt in his heart or a little booze in his belly.

• article link
• Two Gallants – website

Shiny Toy Guns
7 p.m. Sunday, October 8. Creepy Crawl (3524 Washington Boulevard).
By Jaime Lees
Published: October 4, 2006

Don’t be put off by their tragic asymmetrical haircuts — Shiny Toy Guns are one of the most promising electronic dance bands to transcend the played-out electroclash scene. The so-called “Shinys” are receiving attention for creating complex dance music with a lush indie-rock core, although ’80s goth tunes seem to be their greatest influence: Their mix of powerful female-centered vocals and big beats results in an electro-paradise that sounds a little like Peaches singing New Order. But wherever they go, the dance party follows; just check the Tommie Sunshine remix of their catchiest song, “Le Disko.” Oh, and as an added bonus, they do the best live cover of Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” — ever.

• article link
• Shiny Toy Guns – website