Jack White: 'I Really, Really Miss The White Stripes'

Jack White has said that he misses being a part of The White Stripes.

Set to release his debut solo album, "Blunderbuss" on April 23, White said that band's split wasn't up to him alone and that if he had the chance, he'd "make a White Stripes record right now." Speaking to the New York Times, White said:

"I'd be in The White Stripes for the rest of my life. That band is the most challenging, important, fulfilling thing ever to happen to me. I wish it was still here. It's something I really, really miss."

Jack White said that he spoke to drummer Meg White about the status of the band before they split. "There came a point where I said, 'If we’re not doing this, we need to put an end to it right now.' And that's what she wanted to do," he explained. "I don't know what her reasons are. Having a conversation with Meg, you don't really get any answers. I'm lucky that girl ever got onstage, so I’ll take what I can get."

He added: "Meg completely controlled The White Stripes. She's the most stubborn person I've ever met, and you don't even get to know the reasons."

Earlier this week Jack White premiered the strange video for his current single, "Sixteen Saltines". The video for the follow-up to White's debut solo single "Love Interruption" is directed by AG Rojas and features children being tattooed, vicious looking dogs, a kid in a coffin and White himself tied up in the back seat of a car while someone dowses the vehicle with petrol.

Speaking to NME last month, White explained that there was "absolutely no chance" he would ever reform The White Stripes, adding that he would only consider it if he "went bankrupt".

Jack White is due to play his debut UK solo gigs in June, starting with a date at London's O2 Academy Brixton on June 21. A gig at the capital's HMV Hammersmith Apollo is scheduled for the following night (22), with a slot at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend (23-24) also pencilled in.

Thanks for the report to NME.com.

Comments

[Megadethfan245]

I think this helped clear things up a bit. Before I got the message he just didn't want to do White Stripes related things at all for the simple purpose of moving on. But now it seems more Meg rooted to me.

[KBI2113]

As much as I'd love to see the White Stripes get back together, as long as Jack has his voice and ability to make simple, catchy songs, I'll be listening

[K.i.S.A.]

Sounds like a bad relationship to me. "There's no way I'll ever get back with her!" *Two days later* "I miss her SOO much!!" *Two days later* "I don't wanna get back with her..... but the sex WAS good.. Hmm.."

[stonerain7]

Shut up, Meg!

[leohimself]

"Meg completely controlled The White Stripes."

I don't belive that. She's like the worst drummer ever to have succeeded... except for Lars maybe.


Lol just kidding about Lars... or maybe not.

[ne14t]

leohimself wrote:

"Meg completely controlled The White Stripes."

I don't belive that. She's like the worst drummer ever to have succeeded... except for Lars maybe.


Lol just kidding about Lars... or maybe not.

Oooooh hard to say man, at least Meg had some big ol' titties to look at!

[fede01_8]

we all do Jack, we all do...

[iplayat11]

Meg completely controlled The White Stripes.

Wow... the thought of Meg controlling The White Stripes has never even crossed my mind. I mean, its not like she's so talented that she can't be replaced.

[Thumper!]

Jack White makes great songs but for some reason the songs he made and put on the White Stripes albums were just legendary.

["Tele" Steve]

If you read the New York Times article it seems like what Jack means by Meg controlling the band was that he felt that even though he wrote all the songs whatever the band did or didn't do was based on Meg's willingness or unwillingness to do things. Also, once again, a lot of people don't seem to understand Meg's role. She was important to the image of the band and to the band's raw, minimalist approach to music.

[HowSoonisNow]

Jack can still play white stripes songs in concert right? If he has like 8 people backing him up, the songs can take on a whole new form. Meg wasn't a good drummer at all. Jack is a million times more talented than she ever could be. It seems really dumb for him to let her control the band like that.

[TheSilverBeatle]

Leave Meg alone, obviously she was a good enough drummer for people not to be driven away from the band because of her. She was just like Ringo, she played what fit with the music, it was raw drumming that was simple and easy and allowed Jack to just go off on his own. If you respect Jack's ability you should respect Meg because he could have ditched her after he got big, but obviously he enjoyed playing with her.

That being said, having the Stripes back would obviously be great but from what I've heard of Jack's new album he'll be just fine and I really hope there is a new Raconteurs album in the future.

[MatasTeen]

The name Meg will go down in history as the most f*cked up name to give your kid in the 21st century.

[rhs5110]

Jack is so talented he could write a white stripes record and have just about anybody play on it and it'll be awesome can't say meg could ever do the same

[jannick]

didn't he say he'd only come back to the white stripes if he really needed money? quess the bank account is running low...

[jetfuel495]

he would only consider it if he "went bankrupt".

I don't see that happening any time soon.

[Samhuinn]

Watching 'Under great white northern lights' explains alot about Meg. The biggest reason the Stripes split was her anxiety, I think that's what Jack is referring to. She has a serious condition, which affected how the band could function and the possibility of a future. As Jack has stated time and time again, Meg was absolutely vital to the band. They were incredibly in sync, something anyone who's ever seen a live video should agree with. No Meg, no White Stripes.

[Faceplant21]

I read about Meg White and she wasn't an a**hole, she was just very very shy, and a lot of the time very afraid to play in front of people.

[COREYTAYLOR721]

He should just get the guitarist from the dead weather to join him and get a new drummer. Jack White is The White Stripes in my opinion. I suppose legal issues could arise but he may just have to incorporate Stripe material in his solo career. I heard his current projects sixteen saltines is pretty good.

[Scrubbles]

I also miss the white stripes...

[RadioMuse]

Nah. A big part of what made the White Stripes so powerful was the raw simplicity and the almost instinctive and animistic approach. Even if Jack was 'more important' as a songwriter and musician Meg still contributed way too large of a part to be replaced under that name. Similarly I think The White Stripes had a youthful buzz about them that will inevitably wear off. Maybe it's better that some bands break up before they tarnish their reputations.

For illustration: could you image how much Aerosmith would be revered if they stopped in 79' after Joe Perry left (he came back later, but still), or the late 90s before they overstayed their new-album making welcome and ventured back into being washed up? They would be seen as the American Led Zeppelin, rather than the Rolling Stones... I needn't say which is generally more loved among music snobs like us. :p

I always got the impression the split was mutual and largely due to Meg's stage fright and increasing anxiety as the band's audience, and their expectations for the music grew.

I think it's very honorable for Jack to deflect questions and defend that decision, even though it was not entirely his. I hope that if they get back together it's a mutual decision, and they're self-critical enough to walk away if the spark isn't there anymore.

[meow1992]

ne14t wrote:

leohimself wrote:

"Meg completely controlled The White Stripes."

I don't belive that. She's like the worst drummer ever to have succeeded... except for Lars maybe.


Lol just kidding about Lars... or maybe not.


Oooooh hard to say man, at least Meg had some big ol' titties to look at!

idk give lars a few more years and he may have some too

[theanarchyman]

what is meg doing right now?
just wondering if everyone knows

[Anjohl]

Moron.

1) "The White Stripes" is two people. You are one of them. She played drums.

2) You are just pining over her.

3) Who the **** is Jack White again?

[stef123]

I'm pretty sure Jack White can find a better drummer than MW.

[kumamilesbear]

leohimself wrote:

"Meg completely controlled The White Stripes."

I don't belive that. She's like the worst drummer ever to have succeeded... except for Lars maybe.


Lol just kidding about Lars... or maybe not.

Meg isn't a terrible drummer. She's a simple drummer. She couldn't do really flashy things, but she could hold down a groove, and that's what's important. What she did was an integral part of the band's sound.

[DamnBastard1224]

JUST DO IT

[qrEE]

Response - I don't.

[Nameless742]

iplayat11 wrote:

Meg completely controlled The White Stripes.

Wow... the thought of Meg controlling The White Stripes has never even crossed my mind. I mean, its not like she's so talented that she can't be replaced.

But it's the WHITE stripes.
Jack and Meg White.
Unless they found another drummer with the surname "White".... I digress.

[iommi600]

I'm kinda divided on this one... while I don't really enjoy the other White Stripes albums, their last one, Icky Thump, really gives me some fix. I wonder what would have came next...

[BassFishin]

iplayat11 wrote:

Meg completely controlled The White Stripes.

Wow... the thought of Meg controlling The White Stripes has never even crossed my mind. I mean, its not like she's so talented that she can't be replaced.

The white stripes weren't about talent. At least, drumming wise. It was about Jack's great song writing, and his connection with Meg. Sure, he could replace Meg, but would it really be the same?

Picture anyone else drumming to 'Dead Leaves and Dirty Ground' on stage. I don't know...it would just feel off.

[redcthulhu]

I liked Meg's simple drum beats, they grooved well with Jack's blues barrage from that sexy-ass Airline. GodDAMN I miss that band.

[andyscoot]

Honestly, I want the Stripes to stay as they were. I don't want it to be tarnished by letting it go on longer. Better to go out with a bang i suppose they say.

[scrymusic]

Cant they just make new music and not tour until she its ready

[AeroRocker]

Just because Meg plays simple drumming in her tracks doesn't mean the band collectively wasn't special. I'm sure she contributed a lot to the music that was created.

Checked.

[RoomOnFire03]

Jack had complete control of the music, and Meg just put simple drum beats into the mix, you cant take either of them out of that equation, the White Stripes are defined by their simple garage rock sound. If Jack had kicked Meg out, the chemistry between him and the new drummer wouldve been completely different, and it would have been a whole different band. The new drummer probably wouldve wanted to do something fancy, and play complicated and stuff, but that wouldve encroached on Jack's ability to write what he wanted to write, Meg, on the other hand, was happy doing simple beats, letting Jack write whatever the hell he wanted, making that classic white stripes sound that no other combination of drummers would get

[Mack56]

Meg was vital to the white stripes because as much as other drummers could play what she played, none could match the chemistry she had with jack.

[Sammy Mantis]

I always thought Jack White was an attractive woman.

[Second Rate]

ne14t wrote:

leohimself wrote:

"Meg completely controlled The White Stripes."

I don't belive that. She's like the worst drummer ever to have succeeded... except for Lars maybe.


Lol just kidding about Lars... or maybe not.


Oooooh hard to say man, at least Meg had some big ol' titties to look at!

Her time was steadier than Lars' too.

[stonedhippos]

Anjohl wrote:

Moron.

1) "The White Stripes" is two people. You are one of them. She played drums.

2) You are just pining over her.

3) Who the **** is Jack White again?

#3 makes you sound like an idiot.

[iup788]

leohimself wrote:

"Meg completely controlled The White Stripes."

I don't belive that. She's like the worst drummer ever to have succeeded... except for Lars maybe.


Lol just kidding about Lars... or maybe not.

LOL the weird thing about Lars is that he was better when he wasn't very good. He was still taking lessons when they made Master of Puppets. Now he's actually technically better, but the songs are worse.

[Miyagi84]

Wow. It's odd that not even Jack could coax answers out of someone he was in a band in, was friends with, someone who he slept with. Not that I don't believe him, but it says more about who she is (a pretty enigmatic individual)that not even he could figure her logic out.

[MattKempton]

he should get jack black to play drums

[MeanMrMustard99]

Meg changed after her sex tape came out...that was the end of the Stripes

[-xCaMRocKx-]

Everyone saying "He just get a new drummer and continue on" or "Meg isn't even that good" or anything similar simply does not get it. I'm not even that big a White Stripes fan and I get it. Meg is completely irreplaceable. The White Stripes is Meg and Jack.

MeanMrMustard99 wrote:

Meg changed after her sex tape came out...that was the end of the Stripes

Meg does not have a sex tape. It is not her.

[Scary Guy]

TheSilverBeatle wrote:

Leave Meg alone, obviously she was a good enough drummer for people not to be driven away from the band because of her. She was just like Ringo, she played what fit with the music, it was raw drumming that was simple and easy and allowed Jack to just go off on his own. If you respect Jack's ability you should respect Meg because he could have ditched her after he got big, but obviously he enjoyed playing with her.

That being said, having the Stripes back would obviously be great but from what I've heard of Jack's new album he'll be just fine and I really hope there is a new Raconteurs album in the future.

Oh so its o.k for simple/raw/'fit the song' drumming if its Meg but not Lars. Man the ppl on here are retards, u defend Meg for this shit but send Lars to the wolves. Lars does what Meg does and serves the songs.

[scott82]

He should forget Meg and team up qith Jack Black to form "The Black and White Stripes".

[scott82]

*with

[StrykVladzimsky]

It's getting back in a band with his sister, how hard can that be?

[bradd101]

StrykVladzimsky wrote:

It's getting back in a band with his sister, how hard can that be?

Ex-wife actually

[jordo246]

Scary Guy wrote:

TheSilverBeatle wrote:

Leave Meg alone, obviously she was a good enough drummer for people not to be driven away from the band because of her. She was just like Ringo, she played what fit with the music, it was raw drumming that was simple and easy and allowed Jack to just go off on his own. If you respect Jack's ability you should respect Meg because he could have ditched her after he got big, but obviously he enjoyed playing with her.

That being said, having the Stripes back would obviously be great but from what I've heard of Jack's new album he'll be just fine and I really hope there is a new Raconteurs album in the future.

Oh so its o.k for simple/raw/'fit the song' drumming if its Meg but not Lars. Man the ppl on here are retards, u defend Meg for this shit but send Lars to the wolves. Lars does what Meg does and serves the songs.

I was thinking the exact same thing, everyone says Lars is a shitty drummer yet he plays exactly what he needs to not to mention he's a lot better than Meg, yet people say Meg is okay cause she serves the song

[powachord]

jordo246 wrote:

Scary Guy wrote:

TheSilverBeatle wrote:

Leave Meg alone, obviously she was a good enough drummer for people not to be driven away from the band because of her. She was just like Ringo, she played what fit with the music, it was raw drumming that was simple and easy and allowed Jack to just go off on his own. If you respect Jack's ability you should respect Meg because he could have ditched her after he got big, but obviously he enjoyed playing with her.

That being said, having the Stripes back would obviously be great but from what I've heard of Jack's new album he'll be just fine and I really hope there is a new Raconteurs album in the future.

Oh so its o.k for simple/raw/'fit the song' drumming if its Meg but not Lars. Man the ppl on here are retards, u defend Meg for this shit but send Lars to the wolves. Lars does what Meg does and serves the songs.

I was thinking the exact same thing, everyone says Lars is a shitty drummer yet he plays exactly what he needs to not to mention he's a lot better than Meg, yet people say Meg is okay cause she serves the song

I totally agree with u guys. Im so tired of the anti-Lars bandwagon.

[f-cusson]

The Silver Beatle wrote:

Leave Meg alone, obviously she was a good enough drummer for people not to be driven away from the band because of her. She was just like Ringo, she played what fit with the music, it was raw drumming that was simple and easy and allowed Jack to just go off on his own.

The difference between Meg White and Ringo was that Ringo was able to follow a beat, what a drummer (even the dummest) should be able to do. Listen carefully to Meg's drum and you'll ear how much she can keep it up.

[DamnBastard1224]

I'm kinda split on this one. While I love Elephant and all the previous albums, hell even Icky Thump was great. With all of these othe bands Jack has been in...it might alter that White Stripes sound too much and we'd regret anticipating a new White Stripes album. Just an idea.

[whiplash944]

theanarchyman wrote:

what is meg doing right now?
just wondering if everyone knows

Starring in sex tapes.

[Showiddlydiddly]

Some people don't get the fact that the Stripes played sloppy music, because for them it was about the feelings and not the technical perfection. Which is why Meg isn't the most technically gifted drummer, and Jack (despite actually being an excellent guitarist) plays out of tune and misses notes etc. Because that's how the music is supposed to sound.

[DickHardwood]

Nobody can ever know how good Meg White is.She played exactly what was needed for their songs and that's not much to begin with.Jack's guitar playing is also as minimalistic as it can be..I've never seen her bullshitting in their concerts,their playing is tight and in sync..the point is that,for all we know, she can cover Dragonforce.

[SpaceJunkie]

Well I guess I see why Meg is his ex. Maybe he needs to find another hot overly complicated simple female drummer that he can't figure out

[stratomaiden]

im never naming my kid Meg...ever...

[stratomaiden]

Plus the WHITE STRIPES HAVE ALWAYS SUCKED

[char504]

I'll always have a place in my heart for The White Stripes, and I think Jack White's solo music is amazing too. Love his new song and video "Sixteen Saltines" www.jackwhiteiii.com

[Bonscott4ever]

Nameless742 wrote:

iplayat11 wrote:

Meg completely controlled The White Stripes.

Wow... the thought of Meg controlling The White Stripes has never even crossed my mind. I mean, its not like she's so talented that she can't be replaced.
But it's the WHITE stripes.
Jack and Meg White.
Unless they found another drummer with the surname "White".... I digress.

Alan White...Either the Yes drummer of the Oasis one.

[Bonscott4ever]

or*