Today I want to write about one of my favourite bands that no longer exist, The Runaways. I’m sure that by now most people has seen the movie, which isn’t so much about all The Runaways as it is about Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, but I don’t think that most people understand just how kick ass these girls really were.
I hate to admit that before the movie came out I had never heard The Runaways, I had heard of Joan Jett and knew the song I Love Rock and Roll, but The Runaways had never crossed my path. When I first saw the ad for the movie I was intrigued as to how I had never heard of this band. I did some research and discovered the limited discography that includes only three albums with the original members, one being a live album, and immediately downloaded them all. I was pleasantly surprised to find gritty guitars, unpolished vocals, and great drumming. The songs are well written and pure rock and roll, I still can’t believe that they were 16 when they recorded their first album.
The Runaways movie was really well done. It does focus more on Cherie Currie and Joan Jett then the other girls, but it was based on Cherie’s memoirs. The choice of Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie was perfect; she played the part so well and even sounds a lot like Cherie. I have to say that when I heard that Kristen Stewart was going to play Joan Jett I was sceptical, not liking her in some other really bad movie, but I ended up really liking her. I’m a little disappointed that The Runaways songs that they redid for the movie don’t really sound right. The songs sound a little bit too polished, not very gritty, and sometimes a little slower than the originals. I like the way the writers focused on Cherie’s journey through fame, and how she dealt with it. I didn’t really like the way the movie makes it seem like everything happened in a year. It actually took longer than it looked, and although in the movie things weren’t all sunshine and rainbows, I was shocked to find out that things were a lot worst.
In January I read Neon Angel: The Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie. The first thing that I have to say is if you don’t want to become addicted to drugs or alcohol then read this book, because it will put any thoughts of using either out of your mind. When I was reading this memoir I couldn’t believe the things that happened to Cherie Currie, and I say happened too because not once did she ask for any of these things to happen to her. Once I got into all the horrible details of Cherie’s life all I could think was “no wonder she turned drugs, I would have too if all that had happened to me”. I won’t get into detail about what sorts of things took place, but they are the kind of things that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. The Runaways formed when they were 15 years old, and, even though they acted tough, they were pretty naive. The adult figure, Kim Fowely, they had around them at the time was someone who was trying to make money off the girls, and he did some pretty messed up stuff. It really is an amazing story, but not one for the youngsters; I found it really interesting and really heartbreaking.
I’m so glad that I have The Runaways’ music in my life, it really is awesome. I’m also glad to have watched and read the story behind the people who made that music. If you haven’t heard their music you should really check it out, you won’t be sorry. If you are already of the music and what to know more then watch the movie, they really did do a good job with it. And if you want to read a sad, and somewhat, disturbing true story about what it was really like to be in The Runaways then head out and read Cherie Currie’s memoirs. I have enjoyed all three, and they all have made my love for The Runaways grow.
