Dead Weather's Alison Mosshart Relates to the Runaways

As Spinner previously reported , the Dead Weather released the edgy, dark single 'Die by the Drop' and its eerie accompanying music video, which was helmed by 'The Runaways' director Flora Sigismondi.

"I've always wanted to work with her," singer Alison Mosshart tells Spinner. "Jack is a friend of hers," she adds of bandmate Jack White, "and I have so many mutual friends of hers. I've always loved her videos. It seemed like the perfect thing to do, I was really excited."

Like most things with the Dead Weather, the video came together effortlessly when all concerned had simultaneous schedule holes. "It was one of those moments," Mosshart says. "She had just finished the Runaways thing and she had five minutes of time. I'm really glad. I love the video."

As the Dead Weather are just back from an Asian and Australian tour, Mosshart hasn't found time to see 'The Runaways' yet. "I really want to," she moans, but adds that the '70s glam-garage girl group wasn't highly influential on her musical path. "I liked the Runaways, not like it was my favorite band or anything. I have a lot of respect for them. They were four girls that were really young. I can appreciate that entirely. They were tough and really great."

"A long time ago I did a piece for the Kills with Interview magazine and they put us, Jamie [Hince, Mosshart's Kills bandmate] and I together with Joan Jett," Mosshart continues. "I think they thought that it was going to make sense. It was really wonderful talking with her, but the bands I grew up listening to were guys, like Captain Beefheart and Fugazi -- lots of punk bands, art rock bands. I really like Sonic Youth, so Kim Gordon is someone I admire. And Mo Tucker too. The people I looked up to were usually guys with guitars who were writing the lyrics. I didn't have any female icons growing up, but I did like the Runaways."

And if Mosshart had been cast in the movie, which Runaway would she have been? "Probably Joan Jett," she says. "We have the same hair."

The Dead Weather's second album, 'Sea of Cowards,' is out May 11.