Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

The rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and occasional actress, Joan Jett, released her first new album in seven years with The Black Hearts, entitled Unvarnished. It is their tenth studio album and it came out on October 1st 2013. Jett calls it her most introspective album she's ever done. She expanded her creative process to work with Dave Grohl and Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace, plus Blackhearts guitarist Dougie Needles and drummer Thommy Price. Jett says the LP is the most autobiographical work she's done to date, tackling subjects like the death of her parents, victims of Hurricane Sandy, and online culture. She continues to work with longtime writing partner/producer, Kenny Laguna. "Any Weather" is the lead single from this latest collection and it is built on classic Jett trademarks. There are palm-muted power-chords, backing vocal chants and a sing-along pop-punk chorus.

Joan Jett's hit record "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982. Her other popular recordings include "Crimson and Clover", "I Hate Myself for Loving You", "Do You Wanna Touch Me", "Light of Day", "Love is All Around" and "Bad Reputation". She has three albums that have been certified Platinum or Gold, and has been a feminist icon throughout her career. The press has called Jett the "Godmother of Punk" and the "Original Riot Grrrl."

The Blackhearts have been busy promoting this album playing a small run of shows this fall, including September stops at Riot Fest in Chicago and the Shindig Festival in Baltimore, Maryland.

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