The Runaways former frontwoman Cherie Currie spoke to us about everything from working with Aussie talents The Veronicas for her new album Blvds of Splendor, to how one happens to take up chainsaw art as a new hobby.
Shaking up the phallocentric rock ‘n’ roll scene in the mid-1970s as frontwoman for trailblazing rockers The Runaways, Cherie Currie has since gone on to focus on her solo career, with her latest project seeing Currie collaborate with round-up of rock’s finest, including Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Slash and Duff from Guns N’ Roses, and Brisbane duo The Veronicas.
“[Ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer] Matt Sorum opened his little black book of miracles, reached out to his friends and they wanted to be a part of it,” she said of how she joined forces with Jess and Lisa Origliasso for of The Runaways classic ‘Queens of Noise’, which also featuring Brody Dalle, Juliette Lewis and Matt Sorum paying homage to late Runaways drummer Sandy West.
Speaking of her experience working with the ‘Untouched’ hitmakers, Currie heaped praise upon the pair – and even hinted that fans could very well expect another potential collaboration in future.
“The Veronicas are just awesome girls! So talented and giving of their time. I love seeing successful people show their hearts are as big as their success.
“I hope I get to work with them again. I just love those girls!” she added.
While the album had originally been slated for a 2016 release, a near-death accident while chainsaw carving saw Cherie fall over 12 feet to the ground off of a hilltop scaffolding, which left Currie with partial facial paralysis and severe head trauma for over 10 months.
Love Classic Rock?
Get the latest Classic Rock news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
Despite this, the rocker is once again back to creating chainsaw art – a hobby she said she happened to picked up by “coincidence”.
“I was a relief carver but one day passed two guys chainsaw carving at the side of the road and I had to go back. When I did, a little voice said ‘You can do this..’ and I believed that voice.. and it was right. Almost 20 years now it’s been my life. I’m a very lucky gal,” she explained.
Asked if she had any reservations to making a return to the very activity that saw her very nearly die, Currie brushed off the terrifying experience.
“Not really,” she said, adding, “I needed to heal which took several months but I don’t remember the fall,” she continued.
“That’s what happens when you get knocked out. I think if I could remember the fear I must of felt falling with a running chainsaw I may have given up on it. Thankfully I’m fully recovered like it never happened.”
Very punk rock indeed.
Cherie Currie’s Blvds of Splendor is out now via Blackheart Records.
Check out ‘Blvds of Splendour’ by Cherie Currie feat. Billy Corgan:
