Against Me! is one of my favorite bands, thanks to Joan Jett. In 2006, when Joan had her Sirius satellite radio show, she would talk about them and play their music often. But I really got into them the first time I heard “I Was A Teenage Anarchist,” and then I had to run out and find all of their CDs. Sorry, Against Me!, you’re stuck with me now. 🙂

Laura Jane Grace, Against Me!’s singer, wrote an inspiring story for this month’s issue of Cosmopolitan about her first year as a woman. I’m not surprised that our Joanie is one of her biggest supporters.

My Ally, Joan Jett

One of the first people I received a letter of support from after coming out was Joan Jett, who I knew a little from doing the Warped Tour together in 2006. Joan is a hero of mine and a rock-and-roll pioneer. When she started out, the rock scene was predominantly male. She defied gender stereotypes all on her own. My daughter, Evelyn, is also a huge Joan Jett fan. She asks for Joan’s records to be played and adores her Joan Jett Barbie doll. Against Me! went through New York City on tour with The Cult in June, and I asked Joan if she’d sing a song with us. She and her band had covered The Replacements’ “Androgynous” onstage, and The Replacements are one of my all-time favorite bands. Joan was into the idea! Singing together onstage, I felt so confident and grateful for her support. Back on the tour bus after the show, I watched, astonished, as Joan Jett leaned down and tucked an excited Evelyn, who was supposed to be asleep, into bed.

Please read the rest here: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/exclusive/laura-jane-grace-first-year-as-a-woman

I wish there were pics of Joan with Evelyn — Joan is awesome with kids! Exhibit A:

Joan serenades Logan

Here’s the video of Joan singing “Androgynous” with Against Me! last year. Loved it!

Laura Jane is a phenomenal songwriter — check out “Soulmates to Strangers” live with The Blackhearts! Cannot WAIT to hear a recorded version of this!

♥ ♥ ♥ LOVE ♥ ♥ ♥