Formed back in 1985 by Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner, Californian rock hags L7 would release their debut album on Epitaph records in 1988. The band, now completed by bassist Jennifer Finch and drummer Dee Plakas would release the follow up album ‘Smell The Magic’ on the Sub Pop label and toured supporting Nirvana, sealing their Grunge status. But the band only gained widespread attention when their 3rd album ‘Bricks Are Heavy’ was released in 1992 on Slash Records.
Blasting on to our tv screens with the breakthrough single ‘Pretend We’re Dead’, L7 were the girl band we always wanted. Not only did they resemble 4 miscreants returning from a week at Glastonbury, live they were a ferocious, fully-charged rock n’ roll machine to be reckoned with. And they had the songs to back it up.
Produced by the legendary Butch Vig, ‘Bricks Are Heavy’ is choc-a-bloc with grunge anthems full of teenage angst and more hooks than you could pilfer from a salmon fisher’s bag. The aforementioned single was preceded by the anthemic ‘Everglade’ and the killer ‘Monster’ followed.
It’s an album you can truly call all killer, no filler. From album opener ‘Wargasm’ to closer ‘This Ain’t Pleasure’, L7 fire grunge-tinged, anthemic power punk on all cylinders. You can’t deny the pure rock power of a song like ‘Shitlist’ and it joins ‘Shove’ as possibly their finest and most memorable recordings.
Their spontaneous live performances gained as much press as the album (who can forget Donita pulling her pants down and exposing herself on The Word and throwing a used tampon into the audience at the Reading festival?) and these antics sealed the band’s legendary status. Included with this first disc are the b sides ‘Lopsided Head, ‘Freak Magnet’ and their gloriously ramshackle take on Guns n’ Roses ‘Used To Love Her’ (Re-titled here as ‘Used To Love Him’).
1994 follow-up album ‘Hungry For Stink’ saw the band riding a wave of commercial success, and while the album sold well, it didn’t really live up to expectations. But what it lacks in consistency it makes up for in sheer, punk rock rage.
Recorded in LA by Gggarth Richardson, ‘Hungry For Stink’ is a darker album lyrically and it lacks the tongue in cheek humour of its predecessor. Bask in the glory of lead track/single ‘Andre’, and ‘The Bomb’ is classic L7 for sure, but there’s nothing as immediate as ‘Shitlist’ or as powerful as ‘Shove’ going on here.
‘Baggage’ is all second-hand grunge riffs and shouting, with no discernable melody or actual chorus to write home about. But ‘Hungry For Stink’ has its moments for sure. ‘Stuck Here Again’ with its underwatery guitar riff and floaty, indified verse is a highlight that hints at the direction the next album would take and elsewhere ‘She Has Eyes’ sounds like Hole on a good day.
There was a lot of great albums released in 1994. Alternative music was edgy and dark. But ‘Hungry For Stink’ wasn’t quite the dangerous beast I wanted it to be.
Included with this 2nd disc we have a live version of ‘Baggage’, a great b side in ‘Punk Broke My Heart’ and an entertaining, if not weird 15 minute radio interview, which I can’t quite decide is real or a spoof. Either way, lets face it, you will only listen to it once.
1997 saw the band at a crossroads in their career. Bassist Jennifer Finch left the band during the recording of their 5th album ‘The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum’, so the album was recorded predominantly as a 3 piece and with 2 producers in Rob Cavallo and Joe Baressi. Friend and bassist Greta Brinkman was roped in to add bass parts in the studio and then Belly’s Gail Greenwood also joined them as a full time touring member.
The crisp, clean production and change in tone works well and the band sound fresh here. The grunge is toned down and the songwriting is amped up. There’s a new found confidence and a fresh approach.
First song proper ‘Drama’ is classic L7 with grungy riffs and sneering vocals. With a stripped back sound and cool gang vocals, ‘Off The Wagon’ is the obvious single. Indie vibes are prevalent throughout the album with the band coming on like contemporaries such as Belly and Veruca Salt on the likes of ‘Non-Existent Patricia’ and ‘Moonshine’ with its stripped back bass and drums verse, occasional surf guitar and a sweet chorus refrain.
While the band experimented and developed their sound, Donita had lost none of her knack for a screaming diatribe or two. Frustration and angst are continuing themes on the likes of ‘The Masses Are Asses’. Included on this 3rd disc are the b sides ‘Guera’ and ‘Worn Out’.
L7 would go on to release one more album before disbanding in 2001. Reuniting with bassist Jennifer Finch the band reformed in 2014 and following extensive touring released their 7th album ‘Scatter The Rats’ to critical acclaim.
This 3-album collection is lovingly presented with bonus tracks and extensive liner notes by Malcolm Dome and the band. It shows a band at the height of their career and remains a testament to what a tour de force L7 really were in the mid 90’s.
Buy ‘Wargazm’ Here
Author: Ben Hughes
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