At 50, Currie is now literally carving out a new niche as a chainsaw sculptor in Southern California. “I carved a guitar for Dakota for her 16th birthday,’’ she says with a laugh over the phone from her home in Los Angeles. That would be Dakota Fanning. The precocious actress plays Currie in the new film “The Runaways’’ alongside Kristen Stewart as band mate Jett. (Ford is essayed by Scout Taylor-Compton, late drummer Sandy West is portrayed by Stella Maeve, and a composite bassist — based on several women who held the job in the band, including Jackie Fox who did not sign off on the film — is played by Alia Shawkat.)
The film, based on Currie’s re-released memoir “Neon Angel’’ — updated to be unflinchingly honest — depicts the girls navigating the heady, often dark waters of the late ’70s rock landscape.
Q. The book deals with some tough issues: band conflicts, verbal abuse by Fowley, rape, drug abuse, abortion. I’m sure you look back proud you survived, but as you were writing was it traumatic?
A. When it really got to be too much I was able to put myself outside my body and look at it like a person watching a movie. But then of course, inevitably, I had to go back in those situations. But I gave myself breaks. (Laughs.) I had to relive every second of it. I guess it’s time now. I understand things so much better and I’m not fearful. When I let go of that fear I was able to recount things clearly and precisely and it was pretty amazing. And once the writing was over it was very healing.
Q. So you recounted things clearly and then handed it over to Hollywood. Were you consulted about the changes?
A. I wasn’t consulted at every turn. How do you possibly take 2 1/2years of someone’s life and do it in an hour and a half? You can’t. There were some liberties taken. What I’m hoping for is people who enjoy the movie and want to know more about the Runaways can always get the book.
Q. For instance there’s little reference in the book to lesbian encounters between you and Joan but it’s a major scene in the film.
A. I wrote a nice-size paragraph without getting into any detail. I say, and Joan loved this, that some of the things that happened [between us] quake me to this day. We had a really wonderful close relationship in a time and space in the ’70s when bisexuality was pretty much the norm. To me it was just healthy experimentation.
Q. It seems like you two are reconnecting through this process.
A. That’s very true. It’s funny, it’s almost like time has stood still. Now we’re adults and I look back and I see how much this band meant to Joan. It meant a lot to all of us, but [I realize] just what a rock she was for me and this band.
Q. What did you think when you heard Dakota Fanning was going to be playing you?
A. Oh my gosh, I had been a fan of hers for years. I’ll never forget sitting with my sister Marie and watching “Man on Fire’’ and we both turn to each other and say at the same time “Who is this girl?’’ This girl takes the picture away from the most seasoned actors and I said there is something special about her.
Q. “Neon Angel’’ makes clear that you and Lita Ford never meshed and that she resented you being the focal point of the group. Have you heard from her regarding the book or the film?
A. I have not. I know Joan has spoken to her to get her involved in the film. Obviously, there’s a lot of unfinished business emotionally with Lita with this band that just seems to spill over everything. And again, it’s all about letting go and starting over and that just seems to be something she hasn’t been able to do yet.
Q. It seems like the moment is primed for a reunion tour but with Sandy’s death and the tension with Lita, that’s unlikely isn’t it?
A. I can’t ever say never again. I never thought my book would be turned into a film. I never thought I’d have an opportunity to write a book over again and do it from my true voice. I never thought those things were possible.
Q. Would you be willing to get back together?
A. Absolutely.
This interview was edited and condensed. 
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xoxo
Carrie
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