L7’s three albums originally released on Slash in the 1990s.
Packed with bonus tracks, artwork and memorabilia, and including extensive liner note based on interviews with the band.
Originally formed in Los Angeles in 1985 when Suzi Gardner (guitar, vocals) and Donita Sparks (guitar, vocals) joined forces with Jennifer Finch (bass, vocals). An all-female band in a traditionally male-dominated rock arena, L7 were happy to court controversy through infamous live performances, their music was a mixture of hard rock, alternative rock and punk, but they are arguably most synonymous with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
After their self-titled debut on Epitaph Records, the classic line-up was completed by Dee Plakas on drums. Signing to Slash Records (Faith No More, Violent Femmes), they released their major label debut ‘Bricks Are Heavy’ in 1992, produced by Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage). Lead single ‘Pretend We’re Dead’ gave L7 a massive worldwide hit, especially in the States, followed by the singles 'Everglade' and 'Monster'. The expanded edition of ‘Bricks Are Heavy’ includes 'Pretend We're Dead' (Edit), 'Lopsided Head' (B-Side), 'Used To Love Him' (B-Side), a cover of the tongue-in-cheek Guns N' Roses track and 'Freak Magnet' (B-Side).
Touring with Nirvana and Hole, as well as appearing on the main stage at Lollapalooza, L7 followed up ‘Bricks Are Heavy’ with ‘Hungry For Stink’ in 1994. Featuring the single 'Andres', this expanded edition features 'Baggage' (Live), 'Punk Broke (My Heart)' (B-Side), 'Stuck Here Again' (Edit) and 'Interview' (B-Side).
During the recording of their third Slash record, Jennifer Finch left the band, eventually replaced by Belly's Gail Greenwood. Their fifth record, ‘The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum’, was released at the beginning of 1997, and although their shift in direction received plenty of critical praise, it was their last album for Slash Records. ‘Off The Wagon’ was issued as a single, with the B-Sides 'Guera' and 'Worn Out' included as bonus tracks, alongside 'Drama (Piss Off Version)'.