Interview by Erin Eddy
You can’t make a list of influential bands of 90s grunge without including L7.
Formed in the late 80s, L7 were a crucial cog in the machine that was the grunge movement, pushing hair and glam metal aside to create a new branch on the tree of alternative music.
The fact that they were an all-female band was only one of the things that made L7 stand out and be noticed. The energy and feistiness of their live shows was another. Their outspoken and unapologetic punk rock attitude, laced with sarcastic humour and wit, also caught people’s attention. And of course, some of their memorable incidents on stage will be cemented in rock and roll history forever.
Probably the most notable of the L7 stunts was a tampon-throwing incident at Reading Festival in 1992.
“I needed to make lemonade out of lemons,” frontwoman Donita explains, of the time she retaliated to being pelted with mud by punters during L7’s set. “That involved a live ammo tampon straight out of my body. That’s what I did.”
HEAVY was conscious of the fact that this incident, which happened 30-odd years ago now, may be one Donita is sick of discussing, but in fact, it was quite the opposite. The musician conveyed the story freely with a laugh and said, “Those incidents remain pretty funny and shocking and rad, and people check us out because of that stuff.”
L7’s relationship with the music industry was relatively turbulent, and labels lost interest with them when grunge ran its course. But L7 left a mark, and a devoted fan base was well and truly established, seeing the band remaining relevant throughout the years and continuing to produce music.
Bricks Are Heavy was L7’s third album, and the one that exposed them to audiences outside the US.
Heading to Australia and New Zealand this December, L7 will be performing this landmark album front to back, as well as diving into their catalogue of other fan favourites.
“Aussie fans really love rock and roll, they’re really into good rock,” Donita states enthusiastically, “That (is what) we’re looking forward to.”
To gauge what to expect when L7 return to Australia, listen to the interview in its en