Although often associated with the grunge movement, the American band L7 was formed in 1985 in Los Angeles by Suzi Gardner and Donita Sparks as a punk rock band. Their music also draws on genres such as alternative metal, riot grrrl, and heavy metal.
With Donita Sparks (vocals, guitar), Suzi Gardner (guitar, vocals), Jennifer Finch (bass, vocals), and Roy Koutsky (drums), the band released its debut album, L7, in 1988 on the Epitaph label. Following that release, Roy Koutsky left the group and was replaced by Demetra “Dee” Plakas.
Originally released in 1990 as an EP, the album Smell the Magic was re-released in 1991 as the band’s second album, including three additional tracks.
Produced by Butch Vig, Bricks Are Heavy, released in April 1992 on Slash Records, brought the band widespread popularity, mainly due to the success of the singles “Pretend We’re Dead,” “Everglade,” and “Monster.”
Subsequently, the band released the albums Hungry for Stink (1994), The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum (1997), and Slap-Happy (1999), but none achieved the same commercial success as Bricks Are Heavy. During the recording of The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum, Jennifer Finch left the band and was later replaced by Gail Greenwood (of the band Belly).
In 2001, L7 went on an indefinite hiatus. However, in December 2014, the band announced via its official Facebook page a reunion with its classic lineup (Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner, Jennifer Finch, and Demetra Plakas). The long-awaited reunion took place in 2015 with an international tour. In 2016, the band’s career was celebrated with the release of the documentary L7: Pretend We’re Dead. Solidifying their comeback once and for all, the band released the album Scatter the Rats in 2019, their first album of new material in 20 years.
In 2026, the band’s history was marked by the death of bassist Jennifer Finch on July 18, at the age of 59, from brain cancer.
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