We may never get to Stadium West, but L7 is all about the neurotic, chaotic journey not the destination. In their new video, directed by Rob Sheridan, the camera follows the mischievous grunge rockers like a security van careening through the streets of Los Angeles at night just to keep up. The band head-bangs in a parking lot, their bodies radiating iridescent as if the cameras picking up their heat. Then they plug in on a cramped balcony overlooking desert scrub. The camera teeters, zoning in on the four members. Lots of forearms. Lots of shredding.
Stadium West is the second single from the bands first album in 20 years, Scatter the Rats, which will be released on Joan Jetts Blackhearts Records on May 3rd. Following the albums lead single Burn Baby, Stadium West is propelled by winding, distorted guitars that have a certain surf-rock flair. Behind the drum kit, Dee Plakas powers it all with an unbeatable tempo that imbues this ride-along with high stakes and verve.
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The same can be said for the band as a whole. After their 2016 reunion, L7 has been on a prolific streak: touring and hitting festivals worldwide, releasing a new documentary, a Trump-bashing standalone single, and now an original album.
Two of L7s albums were recently included on Rolling Stones 50 Greatest Grunge Albums list: Smell the Magic (No. 37) and Bricks Are Heavy (No. 15). Singer-guitarist Donita Sparks added her own list as well, which was a collection of albums that drew her to the genre: It was just a time of punk meeting metal and a rejection of the slickness of New Wave, she told Rolling Stone. At the beginning, it was about destroying conventions, and then it became more and more sophisticated. Some of it wanky; some of it not.
L7 will be rolling out the new songs on tour across North America this spring with Les Butcherettes. Theyll also be part of the Bash Music & Craft Beer Festival tour with Rancid, Pennywise, Suicidal Tendencies and more.
L7 Tour Dates
May 10: Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
May 11: Phoenix, AZ @ Hance Park
May 12: Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Raceway
May 14: Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
May 16: Dallas, TX @ Trees
May 17: Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
May 19: Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity
May 21: Chicago, IL @ Metro
May 22: Columbus, OH @ Express Live
May 23: Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
May 28: Washington DC @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
May 29: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
May 31 Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
June 1: Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
June 2: Englishtown, NJ @ Old Bay Raceway
June 4: Pittsburg, PA @ Rex Theater
June 6: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
June 8: Boise, ID @ Memorial Stadium
June 9: Tacoma, WA @ Americas Car Museum
June 10: Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
June 12: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
June 14: Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
June 15: San Jose, CA @ Santa Clara Fairgrounds
June 16: Sacramento, CA @ Murphys Park
