JETT CITY is a Seattle-based tribute to the godmother of riot grrls, Joan Jett. Combining punk and pop in a feisty brew of big hits and obscure B-sides, JETT CITY covers songs from Joan's entire 30-year recording career. From her earliest days with the Runaways through her latest CD release (2006's Sinner), JETT CITY honors the creativity, integrity and longevity of this amazing rock pioneer.
JETT CITY is not an impersonation act, nor is the band peddling 80's nostalgia -- rather, this is a loud, punk-influenced rock band playing all Joan all the time. The band turns gender-roles upside down, with women propelling the rhythm on drums and bass and two guys on guitars. Jess' role as lead singer, in particular, creates ironic shifts in meaning.
Jess founded the band in the summer of 2004, and Suzi was the first to enlist in the project. Both of them were big fans of Joan's -- Jess had been lucky enough to see her play with the Runaways, and Suzi knew her work from 80's MTV. Jess had also seen Joan play in the mid-90's with Evil Stig, a collaboration with the surviving members of the Seattle punk band The Gits (a project that raised money for the investigation of their singer Mia Zapata's then-unsolved murder).
In the Spring of 2004, Jess talked with Joan about the conviction of Mia's killer (made possible through new advances in DNA science), and the interview was published on the cover of Seattle's Real Change News. The interview experience inspired him to think about starting a tribute band. If the ladies in Hell's Belles could play AC/DC, why shouldn't he pay tribute to his favorite Rock Goddess?
An accomplished singer/songwriter in his own right, Jess had the skills and connections to make it happen. With Julie Jett (also of Cathouse) on drums and the recent addition of Markie Jett on lead guitar, the band is now ready to rock Joan Jett's music to the Seattle scene and beyond.
Band accomplishments include: opening for Super Diamond at the Showbox; headlining a Home Alive benefit at the Crocodile; a nomination by the Seattle Weekly for the title of Best Tribute Band in their Readers' Poll; and a booking at Seattle's Pride Festival.
Jett City is no longer actively seeking club gigs. We remain available for private parties, corporate affairs and other special events. Contact us!
