L7: Do Tell

L7 w/ TacocaT
Showbox, Seattle, WA
11.03.15

Bearing an almost mystical status fifteen years into this millennia, legend and revolutionary punk rock beast L7 is breathing again. Hiatus? For sure. 13 years to be exact. Some of the kids at this show were like five years old when L7 was last active. But let not the fans dwell on all the dead time, angrily sucking off of 1999’s Slap Happy for the last forever… L7 is back, and they proved to Seattle that they’re still just as vibrant, crass, and amazing as ever.

Pink and gray hair alike, the crowd was an epic mix. For some, L7 happened to be the latest addition to their digital library; for others, it was validation and an opportunity to redeem a lost sense of angry youth. The Showbox was near capacity as everyone filled space and air with song and dance. L7 rocked, playing off of each other while keeping the music tight. With six albums stretching back almost two decades, they head-banged, jumped, and displayed a general spunkiness that time couldn’t touch. Front lady Donita Sparks still possessed her trademark raspy voice, while her energy alongside bassist Jennifer Finch made for an enthralling, kinetic performance. Legs on monitors, instruments on heads – you name it. Chatting with the crowd, Sparks happily declared, “This is an after-midlife crisis… We sounding good? I’m sweaty, I’m hot, I’m tired, but having a fucking great time!” Calling out their time and experience, and exceptional humor, Finch poignantly added, “You know how many times we’ve been to Seattle? Enough times to fuck half of you. The only reason I haven’t is because some of you are 18 right now! Just wait, you’re time will come, you just wait.”

L7, in appropriate fashion, kicked their set old school, void of fancy monitors and ear pieces. Crowd surfers found delight in a three-song encore, as arms and legs flew over barriers. Outstretched arms begged for more. Wrapping up the night, Finch jumped down into the pit to take selfies with the crowd, officially bringing the L7 of yore into the twenty-first century.

L7 Set List:
Deathwish
Andres
Everglade
Monster
Scrap
Fuel My Fire
Diet Pill
(Right On) Thru
Freak Magnet
One More Thing
I Need
Slide
Shove
Mr. Integrity
Shitlist
Encore:
American Society
Pretend We’re Dead
Fast and Frightening