Sad News
Runaways Drummer Sandy West Dies at 47
I first heard "Cherry Bomb" as a cover by Bratmobile, and i've been a big Joan Jett fan ever since i first saw the video for "I Love Rock n'Roll." I guess what i'm trying to say is that i always felt the Runaways' influence indirectly--through Jett's solo success, yes, but more importantly through the music of bands like Bratmobile, Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Team Dresch and the Gossip (see also: riot grrl). These are the bands that got me through the transition from high school to college, that helped me be confident in striking out on my own and, to paraphrase a t-shirt from that time, being comfortable being myself.
If the Runaways aren't the prime reason for the existance of pretty much every band listed above--and i don't know that i believe that--then they definitely paved the way for the girls + guitars movement. I know that if it hadn't been for Sandy West's rumbling, insistent drums in "Cherry Bomb," there's a good chance i never would have thought that there was a place for me in the punk band forming in the basement of my dorm. There's a good chance i wouldn't have had the courage to go "um...i could play that, and i could do it better."
Here's to you, Sandy. Cheers, and thanks for everything.
(Cross-posted from my blog.)
I first heard "Cherry Bomb" as a cover by Bratmobile, and i've been a big Joan Jett fan ever since i first saw the video for "I Love Rock n'Roll." I guess what i'm trying to say is that i always felt the Runaways' influence indirectly--through Jett's solo success, yes, but more importantly through the music of bands like Bratmobile, Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Team Dresch and the Gossip (see also: riot grrl). These are the bands that got me through the transition from high school to college, that helped me be confident in striking out on my own and, to paraphrase a t-shirt from that time, being comfortable being myself.
If the Runaways aren't the prime reason for the existance of pretty much every band listed above--and i don't know that i believe that--then they definitely paved the way for the girls + guitars movement. I know that if it hadn't been for Sandy West's rumbling, insistent drums in "Cherry Bomb," there's a good chance i never would have thought that there was a place for me in the punk band forming in the basement of my dorm. There's a good chance i wouldn't have had the courage to go "um...i could play that, and i could do it better."
Here's to you, Sandy. Cheers, and thanks for everything.
(Cross-posted from my blog.)