Punters are lined up from the bottom of the block where The Tivoli stands for tonight's show (9 December).
L7 are in town to celebrate with us their biggest-selling record, 'Bricks Are Heavy', and more with the original members: Suzi Gardner (guitars, vocals), Donita Sparks (vocals, guitars), Jennifer Finch (bass, vocals), and Demetra 'Dee' Plakas (drums, vocals).Inside I discover it is Gold Coast's PurpleZain (PZ) supporting L7. I admit I only know one PZ song and have never caught a show, so I have no idea what to expect.
From the 'Rumble In The Jungle' intro I can tell this is going to be a bunch of fun and totally 'Fall In Love' with the effervescent vibes of PZ. The shorts and boots alone are a hoot, not to mention the dance moves, struts and poses, including some wild pelvic thrusts and hip gyrations.
The five-piece give us a short set that includes a special guest appearance from JJ Speedball. JJ has collaborated with the band on more than one occasion and he fits right in, joining the frenetic fun onstage.
PurpleZain - image © Clea-marie Thorne
We are totally entertained with antics and songs that include 'The Sad Story Of Jacqueline Nora', 'I Need U' and the only song I know, 2019 banger 'Boundaries'. Jodie Maloney (keys, vocals, percussion) may be the rose amongst the thorns onstage, but she is just as brazen in her stage demeanour and vocal force that makes it extra spicy.
Before getting to the end of their set, we are introduced to their latest single 'Triple C': champagne, cocaine and Cialis. PZ advises those not in the know should Google 'Cialis'.
The track ending their set is so much longer compared to their other songs. I ask an obvious fan if one song had morphed into another. I am told it has; 'Lamb And Beast'. Well, if that is what it is, it is indeed a lengthy beast of a piece. I would not rule out another serve of PZ in the future and head to the bar as I am a little thirsty from all my cheering.
I scan the crowd waiting for our headliners. I note L7 has hooked in younger generations to the fold of the L7 fan legion. As expected, boomers and gen-Xers are here in droves and are mixing it up with younger generations. This speaks volumes that L7's music is timeless and the show is no heyday resurgence, but a show with music that has tenacious subsistence and relevance.
From a dark stage fans give loud cheers and whistles as the ferocious quartet take their places onstage. Sparks announces: "There's always a war going on somewhere," and L7 detonate the first song of the night, blasting our ears with 'Wargasm'.
So explosive, I am blown away to relive the feelings associated with this song when it first hit my ears back in 1992! Sparks has previously stated this is a challenging song to sing and I was concerned it may be left off the set list as they have done previously. So, for smashing this one out first, the musical mutineer Sparks gets a massive high-five from me.
Love in the form of more distortion comes flowing towards us with 'Scrap' and Finch gets down dirty with the bass onstage with a high-energy vibe working the floor with her axe. Finch is aware of what makes for great visuals and is making sure fans and photographers get her best rock & roll poses.
L7 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Sparks acknowledges the next song as one of L7's most beloved rebellious anthems that will not be left for last, so she barks a warning and instruction: "You cannot leave after this one! Lock the doors!"
Frenzied jumps of joy for the infectious groove of 'Pretend We're Dead' gets immediate interactive engagement gauged by the motion of the sea of punters with fingers and drinks pointed towards the ceiling and the sound of L7's very own pub choir. It's a delicious treat to feel the live vibrations of this song and the energy exchange between fans and the band.
Lyrically bold, 'Diet Pill' also thrills us live no end and ahead of 'Everglade', the room is filled with an energy radiating a state of rebellion and empowerment that continues with the edgy grunginess of 'Slide'.
Raucous retorts of "lettin' you slide" are rebounding off the venue walls. This song literally slides perfectly into the slower groove of 'One More Thing' with a consistent heavy beat that keeps us moving. It is delivered with a lyrical intensity that has you believing you are the one who has reached the end of your tether as you sing-along.
Gardner's pipes are gutsy and growly in all the right spots and Plakas is playing impeccably tight not to mention we have been able to clearly hear her strong vocals on the harmonies at all times.
L7 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Mr. Integrity' resonates with the unapologetic ethos of L7 and is reflecting a similar intensity as the following track, 'Monster'. This piece gloriously unifies the robust guitar work and compelling, forceful vocals, which is wielded like a meticulously crafted studded leather belt, whipping our auditory senses.
Here we go – the confrontational cracker that you could put on and crank whenever you were feeling angsty at someone who dissed you. 'Sh.tlist' has the whole room getting nuts. Collectively punters are shouting out loudly: "When I get mad and I get pissed. . . You've made my sh.tlist!" even louder than the vocals coming through the house speaker stacks.
Well, I guess the set could end here on this high note, but I know more is to come. What I am unsure of is whether we will get the last 'Bricks Are Heavy' song, which has been previously left off set lists in the past. No disappointment tonight. 'This Ain't Pleasure' with all its unadulterated attitude is concluding ALL the tracks from the seminal album 'Bricks Are Heavy'.
Punters are right into it in a way you could consider to be a celebratory groove of appreciation. However, there is no way in hell fans are moving from their places and at the end of the song roar with thanks and expectantly look to the band for the additional songs promised on the tour promotion.
Ensuring they do not make their fans sh.tlist, L7 are once again going hard and captivating us. Our hips and arms immediately get to swaying to their classic banger 'Andres'. Sing-along? Of course, we do from the very first line – "Down in North Hollywood, there's a guy with long hair" – and punters who do not know or cannot recall the verses are at a minimum, wholeheartedly join in, belting out the chorus: "Ahhh Andres. III'm sorry."
L7 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Fuel My Fire' is definitely combusting our senses with its annihilating power chords and driving drums. Fans get all nuts for the rocking twang of 'Stadium West' and chime in singing not only the lead vocals and backing vocal parts, but vocalising the guitar riff as well. Love, love, love!
Slower 'Non-Existent Patricia' sustains our attention while giving us a moment of reprieve to catch our breath, which is until we are compelled to yell out the chorus. Maybe we knew we had to warm up to meet the increase in momentum with the heavy, chugging crunch of 'Fighting The Crave'.
Fuzzy reverberations fill the room during 'Human' and subsequent song 'Bad Things' is played before 'Shove', which receives a roaring reception from the minute fans recognise its intro. Again, from the first line fans are singing along loudly and many faces about me are reflecting a strong sense of nostalgia.
I am reminded of a time in my life when women in bands like L7 and Bikini Kill and fictional characters like Tank Girl and Jackie Brown were my armoury of female influences to draw from. I haven't thought about that B-grade movie 'Tank Girl' for decades but I loved that L7 were on the soundtrack!
'Dispatch From Mar-a-Lago' has all the veracious punk essence of L7 in the '90s like Sparks announcing to disrespectful and unworthy punters back in '92 her intention to fling her used tampon at them in retaliation – and she did! This song, with its dark political humour, similarly announces the sh.t she is directly flinging at the face of Donald Trump. Yeah, sister!
Calling for an encore and getting it almost instantly after Sparks gives thanks to PZ, the close out ritual commences with 'American Society' that segues perfectly from where they left us. Fans are rocking out and singing: "I don't want to watch television. I don't want to listen to the radio. I don't want to drown in American society." Air guitars here and there are mimicking the solo and the anthemic tune keeps the energy high ending in beautiful raw screams.
L7 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Smell The Magic' (1990) is an intense album and at its core is one song that is the most fitting song left that L7 could choose to end tonight's show. Sparks dedicates 'Fast And Frightening' to all the ladies in the house.
We relish this glorious, final explosion of raw energy as L7 sonically assault us one last time with their hard, ferocious passion and the vibrations are sure to be ripping a hole in the Tiv's roof tonight.
Hot damn, L7! The eclectic mix of classic hits and post-reunion material has captivated and energised long-time fans and those new to the L7 live experience. Tonight, L7 attacked their set list like roiling livewires proving beyond all reasonable doubt they remain an impressive sonic force to be experienced. That is unless you're a total square!
More photos from the show.
