Live like a Rock Star!

Ohmystars - I am beside myself with crazy kinds of rockin’ and rollin’ excitement.

Why?

Because I’m about to hook you up with quite possibly the most kick-ass rock chick you’ll ever meet - the fur-reakin’ awesome Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna.

Carrie is the author of my new favourite book: Cherry Bomb: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Better Flirt, a Tougher Chick, a Hotter Girlfriend, and to Living Life Like a Rock Star - she might be married to a rock star-type, but personally, I think she’s the real rockstar - Carrie, you rule. Fact.

Describe Carrie in five words…
I say: Vivacious. Restless. Unpredictable. Fun. Savvy.
My husband says: Smart. Talkative. Funny. Moral. Sexy.

You’re author girl of the kick-ass, totally fabulous new book Cherry Bomb - tell us all about it - what inspired you write it? Why a how-to format? What’s with the title?
Younger rock chicks ask me for advice often and I figured it was time to put all of the life, love, relationship advice that I’ve lived by in a book for others. And, there aren’t any girl guides out there that are for edgier girls – Girls who shop at Hot Topic instead of the Gap or girls who think Karen O is cooler than Hilary Duff.

You’d be the best big sister ever, Carrie and I love how this is for the edgier, rock girls - so, so cool - what’s the best bit of advice in here?
I always wanted to be a big sister so I’m loving it when girls like you say that to me! That rocks that you wrote a guide for tweens – they need a big sister like you too! My best piece of advice in Cherry Bomb is the overall message of ‘dare to be different’ and just go for it – whatever ‘it’ is for you – with confidence and attitude and don’t care what others think.

You have some hella-cool-as contributors in this book - Kat Von D is my total girl-crush - how did you choose them and how did you get them to take part?
I had my wish list of who I wanted in the book and just went for it. Certain people were obvious choices, like Kat Von D. I couldn’t have done a Tattoo chapter if she had said no because she is THE queen of ink. I just wrote her a letter and asked nicely and stayed on her rep to make it happen and it did. I wrote everyone a sincere letter explaining what the book was all about and why I think they are a cool rock chick and I just got lucky that I got my favorites to say yes.

So Carrie, we’d like to test your rock-girl qualifications…
Do you play an instrument?
No. The running joke around here is that I’m married to a drummer, but I can barely clap in time! I can write lyrics and I have good ideas musically, but I can’t technically put them to song. I have a good ear, though, for what has hit-potential. For instance, when I asked singer Katy Perry to be in my book it was looonggg before she had a hit with “I Kissed a Girl.” I was proud of calling that one early on.

Have you dated a rock-star?
Yes. And, I’ve been married to Chris Vrenna, formerly of Nine Inch Nails and currently in Marilyn Manson, for eight years now! We celebrate our eighth wedding anniversary on Sept. 30 and 10 years together total on the same day.

What was the first concert you ever went to?
Don’t laugh, and remember, I am the OLDER sis here – Twisted Sister and Ronnie James Dio at the New Haven Coliseum in Connecticut, where I’m from. It felt like one big massive rock and roll cult and I loved it!

Have you ever said the phrase ‘I’m with the band’?
I let my All Access laminated pass ‘say’ that for me.

Who’s the most famous rockstar you’ve met?
I’ve been a music journalist since age 17 so I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lot of them. The biggest? Madonna!

Who’s your fave rock girls?
I’ve always been drawn to rock chicks, so I started early loving rock girls like Stevie Nicks and the Runaways (Joan Jett, Cherie Currie) and the I moved onto the Go-Go’s and Berlin’s Terri Nunn in the ‘80s and then onto lots of ‘90s alt-rock girls like Shirley Manson of Garbage or PJ Harvey and singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb. Today, I love Karen O, Gwen Stefani, Bjork, Jenny Lewis, and, oh god, so many others!

You’re way too cool for school Miss Carrie, how do we rock a ‘tude like yours?
By the time one is doing reading the book, the ‘tude will be in you! I promise. Sometimes you have to fake confidence before you really feel it and when I was younger I think I acted a lot tougher on the outside than I really was. But, in time, with age, confidence just comes to you and it really makes a difference in everything you do.

What was life as teen girl like for you, Carrie - were you always this cool? Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the small town of Wallingford, CT, but I also consider the even smaller town of Marlboro, VT my home away from home. That’s where my grandparents lived. I was always a tough little rock chick – there are photos of me at age 10 wearing old rock tees. But, I was also a rural girl and spent time horseback riding, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, and gardening. As a teen, I was really into the local music scene and would go to lots of “Battle of the Bands” competitions. Instead of dating the captain of the football teen, I dated boys in town who were in local bands.

What do you wish you could go back and tell your teen self?
“Put down that can of hairspray now!” (It was the ‘80s and my hair was high!) hahaa

The Pink Ladies LOVE to travel, could you intro us to your city and flag up any must-see sights please…
The city I live in is Los Angeles, but the neighborhood in Los Angeles I live in is called Eagle Rock so I’ll tell you about that area instead. Eagle Rock is similar to other LA ‘hoods like Silver Lake and Los Feliz, in that it’s a little more East Side and a bit more artistic and edgy. (Go figure). But, one reason I love it is because it reminds me of my New England roots – we have a view of the mountains and the local shopkeepers and restaurants all have a mom and pop feel. It’s the best of both worlds – a small town feeling in a bigass city. My favorite Eagle Rock restaurants are Larkin’s, Mia Sushi, Blue Hen, and Auntie Ems. There is only one real bar here, the Chalet; and tons of cute boutiques on Eagle Rock Blvd. and Colorado Blvd., such as Lady and Lily Simone.

What tunes would be on a Cherry Bomb soundtrack?
Actually, I have set lists throughout the book. And, I made one main Cherry Bomb soundtrack that I play at my book signings and parties. Here is the track listing:

1. The Runaways, “Cherry Bomb”
2. Gwen Stefani, “What You Waiting For?”
3. Peaches, “Boys Wanna Be Her”
4. Pat Benatar, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”
5. Joan Jett, “I Love Rock ‘N Roll”
6. Blondie, “Call Me”
7. Berlin, “Sex (I’m A…)”
8. Goldfrapp, “Ooh La La”
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Maps”
10. Joan Jett, “Cherry Bomb”

Quick Hits: What’s your favourite:
Book: Cherry Bomb!
Hangout: My living room couch with my husband, or his tour bus bunk.
City: Every city I travel to when I go on the road with my husband ends up being my favorite city. It’s hard to choose, but I loved Moscow, Dublin, and Amsterdam. Of course, Wallingford, Marlboro and Eagle Rock are up there too.
Movie: Grease is still my all-time favorite. I like TV more than movies. Favorite TV show? “The Soup” on E! or “The Daily Show.”
Food: I love food too much to pick one, but if I had to I’d say oysters. Every birthday, I eat as many as I’m old. Pickles would be a close second. (Never eat the two together, though!)

What’s next in the world of Carrie?
I’m writing a new book proposal right now, but I can’t talk about it yet. I’m going to try to write a book a year and to take the Cherry Bomb way to other outlets. Look for updates at www.myspace.com/carrieborzillovrenna.

The colour pink. Discuss.
I was never a ‘pink’ type of girl. I’m more black or purple. And I used to think that girls who liked pink were too mainstream for me. But, hot pink, fuchsia, or even baby pink with black is total rocker chick and I love it now. I had my hair bright pink and black for a short period of time. And, my nails are shocking pink magenta right now as I type!

You can buy Cherry Bomb at: www.amazon.com

You can find out more about the fabulous Carrie at her Myspace - check out her pix - she’s a total rock-girl-goddess!