Editing L7 (band) (section)

==History==
===Formation and early years (1985–1989)===
L7 was formed by [[Donita Sparks]] and [[Suzi Gardner]] in 1985.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /> Both artists were active in the [[Art punk]] community of [[Echo Park]] and had met in 1984 through mutual contacts at the cultural hub of the ''[[LA Weekly]]''. Of their meeting and on hearing Gardner play a tape of her songs in progress, Sparks described it as "one of the happiest days of my life" with a clear synchronicity in the music they were each interested in creating.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Gaar |first=Gillian G. |title=She's A Rebel: the History of Women in Rock and Roll |publisher=Seal Press |year=2002 |isbn=9781580050784 |edition=Second |location=New York |pages=363, 365, 382, 388, 392–394, 396}}</ref> At the time, Gardner was also active as a poet.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/l7-to-hell-and-back-120783/|title=L7: To Hell and Back|last=Grant|first=Sarah|date=November 21, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 6, 2019}}</ref> A year prior, Gardner had performed backing vocals on the college radio hit "[[Slip It In]]" by [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Rock and Roll Woman: The 50 Fiercest Female Rockers|last=Ochs|first=Meredith|publisher=Sterling Publishing Co.|year=2018|isbn=9781454930624|location=New York|pages=134–137}}</ref> Gardner and Sparks began performing regularly in Los Angeles at punk and metal venues along with a revolving list of supporting musicians in the early years.

The punk rock duo brought [[Jennifer Finch]] on board as bass guitarist and Roy Koutsky on drums.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://l7theband.tumblr.com/post/130755440360/suzisafari-l7-kerrang-magazine-if-you-can-zoom|title=Kerrang Magazine|website=17theband.tumblr.com|date=October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://l7theband.tumblr.com/post/138159846332/l7theband-l7-with-their-original-drummer-anne|title=L7's Brief Drummer|date=1990|website=17theband.tumblr.com|access-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref> Finch, with the strongest Californian roots of the four, connected the band with an even wider network, including [[Brett Gurewitz]] of Epitaph Records where the band recorded their first demo.<ref name=":16">{{Cite journal|last=Halbersberg|first=Elianne|date=1990|title=L7 Ain't No Bad Place to Be|url=https://l7theband.tumblr.com/image/130755440360|journal=Kerrang!}}</ref> Their [[L7 (album)|eponymous debut album]], described as "intense, energetic" and "fast straightforward punk music" was released by Epitaph Records in 1987.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/67426/L7-L7/|title=Review L7: L7|last=Schroer|first=Brendan|date=June 16, 2015|work=Sputnik Music|access-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> L7 reported challenges in the early years with finding a suitable, stable drummer. Shortly after the release of ''L7'', Koutsky quit the band and was replaced by Anne Anderson.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Powell|first=Alison|date=April 1992|title=Fast and Frightening|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BIp60FGwMK4C&q=alison+powell+fast+and+frightening+spin&pg=PP9|journal=Spin|pages=65|via=Google Books}}</ref> Anderson's only studio appearance with L7 was on the [[SST Records]] compilation ''The Melting Pot'' in 1988 (via a cover of the [[Ohio Express]] track "Yummy Yummy").<ref>{{cite AV media notes |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1834127-Various-The-Melting-Plot/images |title=The Melting Pot Credits |publisher=[[SST Records]] |id=SST 249 |type=liner notes |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> Subsequently, Anderson left at the end of the touring cycle for the ''L7'' record, and [[Demetra Plakas|Demetra "Dee" Plakas]] was recruited by the band in late 1989 which completed the band's first stabilized lineup as an all-female band.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://thetrapset.libsyn.com/dee-plakas-l7|title=Dee Plakas L7|last=Wong|first=Joe|date=September 30, 2015|website=The Trap Set|access-date=September 7, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":16" />

===Time with Sub Pop (1989–1991)===
The band released (“Shove”/“Packin’ a Rod”) in 1989 as the Sub Pop Single of the Month.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/09/22/25429331/l7-pretend-were-dead-captures-the-female-grunge-pioneers-in-all-their-raunchy-glory|title=L7: Pretend We're Dead Captures the Female Grunge Pioneers in All Their Raunchy Glory|last=Segal|first=Dave|date=September 22, 2017|work=The Stranger|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> L7 reportedly spent a short time in Seattle in the early 1990s.<ref name=":14" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bedfordandbowery.com/2017/08/hungry-for-stink-sorry-l7-documentary-is-not-a-stinker/|title=Hungry For Stink? Sorry, L7: Pretend We're Dead Is No Stinker|last=Maurer|first=Daniel|date=August 15, 2017|work=Bedford + Bowery|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> L7's next album, ''[[Smell the Magic]]'', was released in 1990 on Sub Pop and earned a four star review by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' who stated "With Donita Sparks' and Suzi Gardner's twin lockstep guitars racing down the highway to hell, ''Smell the Magic'' was one of Sub Pop's finest hours."<ref>{{Cite book|title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide|last1=Brackett|first1=Nathan|last2=Hoard|first2=Christian David|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2004|isbn=9780743201698|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/500 500]|url=https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/500}}</ref> L7 traveled to England and opened for Nirvana on several dates in 1990.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/509420/you-say-its-your-birthday-l7s-donita-sparks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007230151/http://www.mtv.com/news/509420/you-say-its-your-birthday-l7s-donita-sparks/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2019|title=You Say It's Your Birthday: L7's Donita Sparks|last=Winegarner|first=Beth|date=April 8, 1997|work=MTV News|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref>

In August 1991, L7 performed at the [[International Pop Underground Convention]] (IPU) held in Olympia, Washington.<ref name=":3" /> The IPU was organized around a fiercely independent DIY ethic, with L7 the only band with major label representation, having recently signed with [[Slash Records]] (a subsidiary of [[London Records]]).<ref name=":3" />

===Major label releases with Slash (1991–1997)===
Their 1992 third album, ''[[Bricks Are Heavy]]'', produced by [[Butch Vig]], was featured in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'s}} May 1999 list of 'Essential recordings of the 1990s', and was their most critically and commercially successful release.<ref>Rivadavia, Eduardo. "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r53919/review|pure_url=yes}} Bricks Are Heavy: Review]". ''[[AllMusic]]''. Retrieved July 11, 2005.</ref> When Donita Sparks reached out to [[Yoko Ono]] to request permission to sample her scream in the opening track "Wargasm," Ono reportedly replied that she had her fingers crossed for the group as it was time for their music to get popular.<ref name=":3" /> Their 1992 single "[[Pretend We're Dead]]" spent 13 weeks on the US Alternative Songs chart while peaking at the No. 8 position,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/l7/chart-history/mrt/|title=L7 Andres Chart History|website=Billboard.com|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> and it had also peaked at No. 21 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. The singles "Everglade" and "Monster" also made appearances on the UK Singles chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/pretend-we%27re-dead/|title=pretend-we're-dead - full Official Chart History |publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> In their listing of the top 50 grunge songs, ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' magazine included "Pretend We're Dead" as number 21.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/08/the-50-best-grunge-songs.html|title=The 50 Best Grunge Songs|last=Danaher|first=Michael|date=August 4, 2014|website=Paste Magazine|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506055804/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/08/the-50-best-grunge-songs.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> L7 went on a year long tour to promote ''Bricks Are Heavy.''<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1992/music/reviews/l7-ethyl-meatplow-1200429580/|title=Music Reviews L7; Ethyl Meatplow|last=Carmen|first=Jon|date=May 29, 1992|work=Variety|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> ''Variety'' reported in 1992 that L7 had built a huge underground following all over the world due to repeatedly touring.<ref name=":8" /> The popularity of ''Bricks Are Heavy'' was also boosted by frequent video play on [[MTV]]. By June 2000, ''Bricks Are Heavy'' had sold 327,000 copies in the US.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rg8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=drain+sth+soundscan&pg=PA38 |title=Billboard |date=June 24, 2000 |publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]] |language=en}}</ref>

In a July 1993 article for [[Spin (magazine)|''Spin'']] which featured L7 on the magazine's cover, [[Renee Crist|Renée Crist]] described L7 as "four of the funniest, meanest, strongest, coolest, most pissed-off women I know" and as "wild, rambunctious, spontaneous" with a stage show that "is a wash of buddy love, crowd working, and acrobatics".<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last=Crist|first=Renée|date=July 1993|title=The Magnificent 7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YIwHlb1zNyoC|journal=Spin|volume=9|pages=32–35, 90|access-date=September 6, 2019|via=Google Books}}</ref>

L7's fourth album, ''[[Hungry for Stink]]'', was released in July 1994. The album peaked at No. 117 on the [[Billboard 200]] chart, their highest position to date. "Andres" was the lead single off the album, which peaked at No. 20 on the US Alternative Songs and No. 34 on the UK Singles charts. The band continued to be regarded as a strong live act<ref name=":3" /> and performed on the main stage of the [[Lollapalooza]] tour in 1994, which also included [[The Smashing Pumpkins]], the [[Beastie Boys]], [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], [[Nick Cave]], [[A Tribe Called Quest]], and [[The Breeders]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/09/arts/pop-review-lollapalooza-94-opens-in-las-vegas.html|title=Pop Review: Lollapalooza '94 Opens in Las Vegas|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=July 9, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 15, 2019}}</ref> In January 1995, L7 played a set of benefit concerts for [[Voters for Choice]] at [[Constitution Hall]] along with Neil Young, Lisa Germano, and Pearl Jam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-16-ca-20579-story.html|title=Pearl Jam's Contract With America|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|date=January 16, 1995|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/voters-for-choice-benefit-pearl-jam-neil-young-l7-and-lisa-germano-179703/|title=Voters For Choice Benefit: Pearl Jam, Neil Young, L7 and Lisa Germano|last=Considine|first=J.D.|date=March 9, 1995|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Strauss|first=Neil|date=April 1995|title=Live Music: Pearl Jam / Neil Young & Crazy Horse / L7 Constitution Hall, Washington DC, January 15, 1995|journal=Spin|pages=204}}</ref> Finch created a "slight fuss"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/09/15/facing-the-music/b45e4fe1-7ea2-4658-ab53-13489e5f7aa5/|title=Facing the Music|last=Harrington|first=Richard|date=September 15, 2000|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 9, 2019}}</ref> after reportedly playing the final song of one show after removing her shirt.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/16/arts/pop-review-angst-with-purpose-from-pearl-jam.html|title=Pop Review: Angst With Purpose From Pearl Jam|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=January 16, 1995|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 9, 2019}}</ref>

In 1995, L7 was one of four bands featured<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-chicago-international-film-festival-week-2-simon-says/Content?oid=888748|title=The Chicago International Film Festival Week 2: Simon Says|date=October 15, 1995|work=Chicago Reader|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> in the documentary film ''[[Not Bad for a Girl|Not Bad For a Girl]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/22/movies/they-love-to-rock-as-hard-as-men-do.html|title=They Love to Rock as Hard as Men Do|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=November 22, 1996|work=New York Times|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/movies/movies/not-bad-for-a-girl/6156543/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810165449/http://www.film.com/movies/not-bad-for-a-girl/6156543|url-status=dead|title=News - Entertainment, Music, Movies, Celebrity|archive-date=August 10, 2009|website=Mtv.com}}</ref> The film, which focused on several all female bands, was awarded Best Documentary at the [[New York Underground Film Festival]] in 1996.

Finch left the band in 1996,<ref name=":2" /> during the recording of their fifth album,''[[The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum]]''. Sparks and Greta Brinkman played bass on the album, after which [[Gail Greenwood]] – formerly of the band [[Belly (band)|Belly]] – became the band's full-time bassist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyrock.com/l7_story.htm |title=L7 Are Sum Tuff Bitches |website=Nyrock.com |date=May 22, 1997 |access-date=May 30, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190825/http://www.nyrock.com/l7_story.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref> L7 performed at the [[Bumbershoot]] festival in Seattle, Washington in 1997.<ref name=":3" />

===Independent output and initial disbandment (1997–2001)===
In 1998, the pseudo-documentary film ''L7: The Beauty Process'' was released, directed by [[Krist Novoselic]].<ref name="IMDB">{{cite web|title=L7: The Beauty Process (1998)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213788/|website=IMDb.com|access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> The film contains actual concert footage of L7's trials and travails of being a “punk-like band in a pop-like marketplace.”<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfstation.com/2015/08/26/l7-brings-the-stink-back-to-san-francisco/|title=L7 Brings the Stink Back to San Francisco|last=Presti|first=Anthony|date=August 25, 2018|work=SF Station|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>

L7's sixth studio album, ''[[Slap-Happy]]'', was released on the band's own label Wax Tadpole Records in 1999.<ref name=":0" /> To promote the record, on July 17, 1999, L7 had a plane fly over the crowd at the [[Lilith Fair]] at the Rose Bowl in [[Pasadena, California]], with a banner that read, "Bored? Tired? Try L7." The following day, an airplane towed a banner over the crowd at the [[Warped Tour]] at the Stone Pony lot in [[Asbury Park, New Jersey]]. The banner read "Warped needs more beaver...love, L7."<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/l7/news/l7-raises-a-stink-at-lilith-and-warped--12032344|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714064851/http://music.yahoo.com/l7/news/l7-raises-a-stink-at-lilith-and-warped--12032344|url-status=dead|title=L7 News - Yahoo! Music|date=July 14, 2012|archive-date=July 14, 2012|website=Archive.is}}</ref> Greenwood later left the band and was replaced by [[Janis Tanaka]], formerly of the San Francisco band, Stone Fox.<ref name=":11" />

[[File:L7 at the Emerson Theatre in Indianapolis, IN circa 1997 - 4738815963.jpg|alt=L7 onstage, Donita Sparks (left), Demetra Plakas (center), and Gail Greenwood (right)|thumb|L7 performing at the [[The Emerson Theater|Emerson Theater]] in Indianapolis in 1997]]

Record sales continued to wane during the late 1990s, and the band grew increasingly low on funds. However, the band's live performances consistently garnered praise, including a September 1999 review by rock critic [[Greg Kot]] in the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' that stated "Gardner and Sparks favor low-end guitar chug, a sound that suggests the idling engine of a Harley-Davidson more than the high-end squeal of most lead guitarists. They intersect with bassist Janis Tanaka to create a thick, sludgy bottom that rumbles the floorboards and shoots right through the sternums of innocent passersby. Their secret weapon remains drummer Dee Plakas."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/169247870/?terms=Donita%2BSparks|title=L7 Raises the Heat|last=Kot|first=Greg|date=September 6, 1999|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=October 7, 2019|page=44}}</ref>

By 2001, L7 was no longer touring. The band listed the following statement on their website: ''"L7 is on an indefinite hiatus. We know that's vague, but that's just the way it is. The future of the band is a bit up in the air at the moment."''  L7 appeared to be defunct for all practical purposes. From 2007 to 2012, Sparks pursued another project, along with Plakas on drums, in their band [[Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments|Donita Sparks and The Stellar Moments]]. Finch formed several projects including OtherStarPeople and her punk rock group [[The Shocker (band)|The Shocker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/65h09.html |title=INTERVIEW: The Shocker: Ex. L7/OtherStarPeople bassist Jennifer Finch's new band |website=Inmusicwetrust.com |access-date=May 30, 2015}}</ref> Tanaka played bass for [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] and Greenwood played with [[Bif Naked]] and later, the reformed [[Belly (band)|Belly]].

In 2012, Sparks started a Facebook page for the band, posting videos and archival images of L7, where their fan base quickly began to regroup.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-l7-ott-0805-20160802-story.html|title=L7 is, better late than never, getting respect|last=Dickinson|first=Christie|date=August 3, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 7, 2019}}</ref>

===Reunion (2014–present)===
On December 10, 2014, L7 announced, on their official [[Facebook]] page, that they were reuniting, featuring Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner, Jennifer Finch and Demetra Plakas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=769378529783014&id=190276091026597 |title=L7 Official - ATTENTION! A personal message from the band:... |website=Facebook.com |access-date=May 30, 2015}}</ref> As part of the reunion, the band revamped their website and included a [[mailing list]] for fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://l7theband.com/ |title=L7 Official Website |website=L7theband.com |access-date=May 30, 2015}}</ref>

The reunited band kicked off a European tour at [[Rock am Ring and Rock im Park|Rock am Ring]] in Germany on June 6, 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://l7theband.com/attention-you-did-it-2/|title=ATTENTION: YOU DID IT!!! - L7 Official Website -|website=L7 Official Website|access-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829161840/http://l7theband.com/attention-you-did-it-2/|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> with shows in the Czech Republic, Austria, UK, France, and Spain.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/l7-expand-reuni/|title=L7 expand reunion tour, playing NYC|date=May 5, 2015|work=Brooklyn Vegan|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> This was followed by North American dates in New York,<ref name=":1" /> Toronto,<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/l7-danforth_music_hall_toronto_on_september_6|title=L7|last=Lindsay|first=Cam|date=September 7, 2015|work=Exclaim!|access-date=October 6, 2019}}</ref> and at [[Riot Fest]] in both Denver <ref>{{cite web|url=http://l7theband.com/l7-at-riot-fest-denver/|title=L7 at RIOT FEST DENVER! 2015 - L7 Official Website -|website=L7 Official Website|access-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829162051/http://l7theband.com/l7-at-riot-fest-denver/|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Chicago,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://l7theband.com/l7-at-riot-fest-chicago-2015/|title=L7 at RIOT FEST CHICAGO! 2015 - L7 Official Website -|website=L7 Official Website|access-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829162815/http://l7theband.com/l7-at-riot-fest-chicago-2015/|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Fun, Fun, Fun Festival in Austin, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://l7theband.com/l7-at-fun-fun-fun-festival-austin-2015/|title=L7 at FUN FUN FUN FESTIVAL AUSTIN! 2015 - L7 Official Website -|website=L7 Official Website|access-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829164346/http://l7theband.com/l7-at-fun-fun-fun-festival-austin-2015/|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Exclaim!]]'' reviewed their Toronto show and stated that "Their subversive sense of humour and brash confidence provides feminism with some much-needed comic relief and audacity, and on this night, as 50-somethings in a 30-year-old band, they looked, acted and sounded every bit as brazen as they did 25 years back."<ref name=":6" />

On February 15, 2016, L7's original drummer Koutsky passed away at the age of 53.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/roy-koutsky-obituary?id=2714622|title=Roy Koutsky Obituary|date=February 15, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 15, 2021}}</ref> Later in 2016, the documentary film ''[[L7: Pretend We're Dead]]'', directed by [[Sarah Price (filmmaker)|Sarah Price]], premiered in Los Angeles. The film, largely funded through [[Kickstarter]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/975436123/l7-pretend-were-dead|title=L7: Pretend We're Dead by Blue Hats Creative, Inc|website=Kickstarter.com|access-date=May 30, 2015}}</ref> features original footage and interviews with the band members and eyewitness accounts of their development from [[Lydia Lunch]], [[Shirley Manson]], Krist Novoselic and [[Butch Vig]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6288290/|title=L7: Pretend We're Dead (2016)|website=IMDb|date=December 15, 2018|access-date=September 7, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.laweekly.com/new-documentary-l7-pretend-were-dead-restores-the-legacy-of-one-of-l-a-s-best-bands/|title=New Documentary L7: Pretend We're Dead Restores the Legacy of One of L.A.'s Best Bands|last=Barlow|first=Eve|date=November 15, 2016|work=LA Weekly|access-date=September 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=November 2017|first=Briony Edwards 08|title=6 things we learned from new documentary L7: Pretend We're Dead|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/6-things-we-learned-from-new-documentary-l7-pretend-were-dead|access-date=July 11, 2020|website=loudersound|date=November 8, 2017|language=en}}</ref> The film was nominated for a VO5 NME Award for Best Music Film.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/l7-reveal-tour-slam-capitalist-motherf--kers-on-new-song-w516529|title=L7 Announce Tour, Slam 'Capitalist Motherf--kers' on 'I Came Back To Bitch'|last=Grant|first=Sarah|date=February 9, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:L7 performing in 2018.jpg|alt=Donita Sparks playing to the crowd|thumb|left|L7 performing in 2018]]

In 2016, L7 played a series of shows in the US, South Africa, the UK, and Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/l7|title=L7's Concert History|website=Concert Archives|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> Chris Lane of ''[[Houston Press]]'' described the synergy of Sparks and Gardner's guitar playing and the strength of the band's live show stating "Their percussive styles seemed to be locked together, producing a glorious, unified wall of sound. Bass player Jennifer Finch bounced about the stage while propelling each song forward, and drummer Dee Plakas proved that she should be a lot more famous as a rock drummer with every fill."<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/l7-proves-theyre-far-more-than-just-a-nostagia-act-8577504|title=L7 Proves They're Far More Than Just a Nostagia Act|last=Lane|first=Chris|date=July 18, 2016|work=Houston Press|access-date=October 6, 2019}}</ref>

On January 13, 2017, L7 released ''Detroit (Live)'' on record label Easy Action. The live album was originally recorded at a concert in the [[Detroit|Motor city]] on September 1, 1990, and coincided with the group's initial release of ''[[Smell the Magic]]'' on Sub Pop records. Their performance at the established punk venue Clutch Cargo's in Detroit expressed the raw, kinetic energy of the era. L7 released ''Fast and Frightening (''a collections of rarities, covers, and live performances) as a double album in 2016 with music critic [[Robert Christgau]] granting it an A minus in a 2018 review.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/robert-christgau-reviews-l7-fast-and-frightening-joan-jett-bad-reputation-soundtrack/|title=Robert Christgau on L7's Feedback-Drenched, Feminist Aggro|last=Christgau|first=Robert|date=November 23, 2018|work=Vice|access-date=September 15, 2019}}</ref>

On September 29, 2017, L7 released its first new song in 18 years, "Dispatch from Mar-a-Lago" on [[Don Giovanni Records]]. The title is a reference to the [[Mar-a-Lago]] resort owned by [[Donald Trump|Donald J. Trump]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/09/l7-dispatch-from-mar-a-lago-stream/|title=L7-"Dispatch From Mar-a-Lago"|author=Liz Cantrell|website=Spin.com|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> A follow-up single, "I Came Back to Bitch", was released in February 2018.<ref>{{cite web| url        = https://www.njarts.net/pop-rock/l7-at-white-eagle-hall-jersey-city-photo-gallery-setlist-and-videos/| title      = L7 at White Eagle Hall, Jersey City | work       = [[Institute for Nonprofit News]]| last1      = Lustig| first1     = Jay| date       = April 16, 2018| access-date = May 16, 2018}}</ref>

L7 continued to tour heavily in the US, Canada, and Europe in 2018.<ref name=":5" /> April 2018 saw the band announce their plans to record a seventh studio album via [[PledgeMusic]], scheduled for release in 2019.<ref name=":5">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/l7-announce-first-album-in-20-years-world-tour-dates-630309/|title=L7 Announce First Album in 20 Years, World Tour Dates|first1=Sarah|last1=Grant|date=April 9, 2018|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref>
The band went on tour shortly afterward. Including dates with [[Le Butcherettes]] as openers.

L7 released the first single from their first album in 20 years, "Burn Baby", on February 28, 2019. The full album, ''[[Scatter the Rats]]'', was released on May 3, 2019, through [[Joan Jett]]'s record label [[Blackheart Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/l7-detail-first-new-album-in-20-years-share-video-for-new-song-burn-baby-watch/|title=L7 Detail First New Album in 20 Years, Share Video for New Song "Burn Baby": Watch|website=Pitchfork|date=February 28, 2019|language=en|access-date=March 1, 2019}}</ref> The album received generally favorable reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/scatter-the-rats/l7|title=SCATTER THE RATS by L7|date=May 3, 2019|website=Metacritic|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> ''[[Hyperallergic]]'' referred to the band's legacy as "feminist punks, metal snarlers, (and) grunge comedians" and stated of their return album that Sparks and Gardner "pound out one solid, catchy, immediately identifiable power riff after another, more punk-minimalist than in their molten grunge period".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fagan|first=Lucas|date=May 26, 2019|title=Rock Without the Posturing|url=https://hyperallergic.com/501621/rock-without-the-posturing/|access-date=June 22, 2020|website=Hyperallergic|language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2022, L7 announced a tour commemorating the 30th anniversary release of their third album, ''Bricks Are Heavy''. The band played the entire album, along with several other songs. The tour consisted of eighteen scheduled shows through the month of October. L7 also announced a deluxe reissue of ''Bricks Are Heavy''. Remastered by Howie Weinberg, the limited-edition release comes pressed on gold and black vinyl via Licorice Pizza, and pre-orders begun on September 30.<ref>{{cite news|last=Young|first=Alex|date=April 14, 2022|title= L7 Announce Tour Celebrating 30th Anniversary of Bricks Are Heavy|url=https://consequence.net/2022/04/l7-bricks-are-heavy-tour|newspaper=Consequence}}</ref>