METAL SLUDGE EXCLUSIVE: Jetboy’s Billy Rowe and Blackboard Jungle’s Britt Pennella preview annual reunion weekend with Swingin’ Thing, The Fizzy Bangers and more
HOLLYWOOD, California — My how time flies when you’re having fun.
That’s the plan once again for the 17th annual Blackboard Jungle reunion scheduled for Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at the Viper Room back once again on the Sunset Strip.
That’s right. The event has been pushed to two nights for the first time ever.
On Friday, Jetboy headlines with Swingin’ Thing and others, and on Saturday, Blackboard Jungle plays with Fizzy Bangers and others.
Metal Sludge caught up with Blackboard’s Britt Pennella and Jetboy’s Billy Rowe.
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Swingin’ Thing classic era photo
METAL SLUDGE: Two nights of reunion rock. This is a nostalgia lover’s dream, wouldn’t you agree?
BRITT: I think this is the US Festival of the Strip Reunion Weekend.
BILLY: Sure — though it’s not a reunion for Jetboy as we’re still an active band with a new album that just came out in January on Frontiers Records.
MS: How much are you looking forward to this event?
BRITT: This is my Christmas and High School Reunion!
BILLY: It’ll be a good time for sure!
MS: What do you think of the lineup this year?
BRITT: I can’t believe all the bands coming together to play. It’s insane. We flipped when Jetboy got on!!
MS: Can you comment on some of the others?
BRITT: Old Man Crawford is Mandy from the Glamour Punks Rap thing. He’s incredible and I will be his DJ. One year he gave away weed samples like it was cheese on a cracker at Costco — and I got scared!!! Stars From Mars are pure glam danger — I once saw the singer Dazzle try and fight the drummer of Alice In Chains and the singer of Circus Of Power with his spiked belt in the 7-11 on La Brea parking lot … and he weighed 110 at the most. Fizzy Bangers are incredible — they once put out a great CD called “Look Mom No Talent’ — they were Green Day before Green Day.
My favorite Swingin Thing song “On The Run” still can make me cry like a little girl the way it did at the Roxy in 89. Leather Duchess are the future of rock and they will keep the flame alive. People need to check them out.
Alleycat Scratch members Boa and Eddie will be lighting it up during BBJ with an Alleycat Scratch song. All Is Useless has the legendary Lil Dee and Alley ready to burn down the club before it becomes a hotel.
MS: Billy, how is Jetboy doing?
BILLY: Jetboy are doing great. We just put out a new album on Frontiers Records. It’s our first full length in 29 years! So the band is super pumped right now!
MS: Eric Stacy from Faster Pussycat is playing bass now for Jetboy. Has he breathed new life into the band?
BILLY: Eric and I were always good buds back in the 80’s. Eric has a deep love for rock n roll like myself. Eric is a great bass player and he added a lot to this new Jetboy album ‘Born To Fly’
MS: In three sentences or less, explain why Jetboy didn’t break big like Guns N’’ Roses and Motley Crue and Poison.
BILLY: Hmmm? I’ve always felt it was all in the timing. Jetboy signed with Elektra records in 1986, “Feel The Shake” was set to be released in late 1987. Then Elektra had a shakedown snd the album was shelved.
After signing to MCA immediately, it took nearly a year to get the album out. By then, Jetboy went from one of the leaders of our era to a follower. Losing that whole year killed all the band’s momentum. This happened to some of my favorite bands from the 70’s, so I’d say Jetboy are in good company being in the ‘why didn’t they break big’ club. But in the end, who really knows why?
MS: By the way, Billy, no offense but Swingin’ Thing is not an easy band to follow — have you ever seen them before?
BILLY: No offense taken, I’ve never seen them before. So if we’re in for a surprise? Great!
MS: Billy, what were the three biggest highlights of Jetboy’s career, and what was the one biggest low light?
BILLY: For me personally, it was touring with one of my all time favorite bands CHEAP TRICK! Along with doing ‘He’s A Whore’ with them on the last night of the tour in Denver Colorado. That was huge!
The low point? Being dropped by Elektra right before “Feel The Shake” was set to be released. Then I’d say sitting around waiting for “Feel The Shake” to finally come out while we watched bands that formed after us blow up on MTV! Then seeing our original bass player Todd Crew pass away in late 1987 was the worst!
MS: Billy, did you happen to remember the late Kim Fowley, who was Blackboard Jungle’s manager?
BILLY: I’ve known of Kim Fowley from being a huge fan of the Runaways and the Hollywood Stars! Also his writing credit with KISS. I would see him at the clubs in LA when Jetboy started to play the LA scene starting in 1985. Kim was the rock n roll major of Hollywood in his time. He had a deep history in music that dates back to the late 50’s.
MS: Any clue who the surprise guest might be?
BRITT: It may be Alleycat Scratch Semi Reunion.
MS: Are we getting to the point where old Blackboard Jungle fans are bringing their children for the reunion weekend?
BRITT: It happens at the all ages Roxy shows but it may happen this year!! I’m sure that’s possible with the age this generation has hit. There are many children who would not be alive without BBJ.
MS: Am I the only one who still associates Chuck Fizzy with Fizzy Bangers and not being an industry big shot?
BRITT: Chuck is a huge part of this he helped us book Jetboy and his band The Fizzy Bangers are playing with BBJ!! He is Hollywood legend!!
BILLY: Maybe? I don’t know Chuck from his being in a band days. Jetboy was touring and on to another level when all these bands took over Hollywood.
MS: If fans buy a ticket for both nights, can you guarantee they’ll see some tits?
BRITT: YES!!! I will flash everyone mine!!
BILLY: If it’s a reunion of fans from the old days we may want them to keep their tops on?
MS: Talk about Stars From Mars, they are kind of a surprise addition.
BRITT: Dazzle jumped up last year and tore it up. It’s gonna be nuts. So many people never got to see them Their name alone is legendary and been ripped off a hundred times.
MS: Will these Blackboard Jungle reunions go on forever?
BRITT: Yes, the children will take over when we pass.
Click for @ Viper Room Tix – Blackboard Jungle – JetBoy – Swingin’ Thing – Fizzy Bangers
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gerryg123@hotmail.com
