After playing bandmates on screen, the two teamed up for this interview to promote "Prey for Rock & Roll," a drama that's not your typical rock and roll story.
Did you have any rock star fantasies growing up?
SHELLY COLE: My first record was “I Love Rock and Roll” when I was 7 years-old. I think that's where it all began. I always wanted to be a guy rock star (laughing).
What’s the big difference between men and women rockers?
SHELLY COLE: I don’t know, there are different kinds of fans - like there are some who want to emulate who they are watching, like maybe girls who watch girl bands. Whenever I watch guy rockers I’m just like, “Wow, I want to have sex with him."
Is it true you learned the drums in a week or so?
SHELLY COLE: [In] four weeks I learned how to play nine songs.
LORI PETTY: I say constantly, but I just believe this so much, we can all fake playing the guitar and the bass and all that stuff. I mean, Drea [de Matteo] and Gina [Gershon] both do play their instruments, but they don't have to. You can’t fake the drums. She’s back there beating these drums and this is a full kit, this is serious business. You've got two legs and arms arms doing different things [and] that’s remarkable to me. When they'd say, "Lori, God you look so amazing. You're so brilliant.” I'd say, "I'm acting, [Shelly’s] brilliant."
SHELLY COLE: It was fun. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
What kind of music do you listen to?
LORI PETTY: We were talking earlier and she said her first 45 was Joan Jett. My first 45 was Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra, that's where I come from. I listen to jazz and blues. I'm a quiet ‘peace and love’ girl. I know that doesn’t seem to be my public persona, but I had nothing to do with that. That's just how people choose to make magazines sell.
Who do you think has it harder - struggling musicians or struggling actors?
LORI PETTY: Anyone who struggles has it hard. Don’t struggle, just be an actor or be a musician.
SHELLY COLE: I think it’s pretty neck to neck.
LORI PETTY: You know what I think about musicians, honestly? They can play. They can go to Venice Beach and play. If they can sing and play, they can just do that. Actors - you can’t just start acting walking down the street by yourself doing “The Three Sisters” all by yourself. If you did, they'd put you away. But you can go to Venice Beach and sing and play the guitar and make a lot of money.
There’s a fine line when you’re an actor between being self-indulgent and just releasing your creativity. That’s why I paint and write and sing and draw, and all kinds of things. As long as you’re releasing this talent and this beautiful creativity that we all have, then you’re fine.
Did you study acting and painting?
LORI PETTY: No, I didn’t. I came out doing that. I went to New York when I was probably 19. I just [bought] a one-way ticket and lived at the YMCA in Central Park - I'm from Sioux City, Iowa. I just knew that everything was fine. I was walking down Columbus Ave. and I saw ABC and said, "That's my first job, right there. It's going to be in there." That was my first job. I was an extra on "All My Children." Seriously! I swear there must have been a camera over my shoulder. I’m sleeping in Central Park and eating watermelon. And [Variety] says, "Open Call. Lynn Stalmaster." I stood in the line, did the audition, walked out, they chased me down the street and started making phone calls on my behalf. I was in "Cadillac Man" soon after that.
It’s a beautiful thing to know who you are. I don’t mean a movie star, but to know that you are a creative entity.
