L7 carved their name into rock history with snarling riffs, feminist fury, and a DIY ethos that defined the Riot Grrrl movement.
Published September 30, 2025 by Brady Goodman-Williams
Formed right here in LA in the mid-’80s, they’re the punk band that inspired generations of women to grab guitars. Now, they’re bringing that fire back home for an explosive 40th Anniversary Bash at The Belasco on Saturday, October 3 with a stacked lineup featuring Lunachicks, CSS, and more!
Robert Fagan
Ahead of the madness, we caught up with frontwoman Donita Sparks to talk about their LA roots, surviving misogynist rock dinosaurs, and how every L7 show feels like a family reunion.
You’ve played everywhere — what makes playing in LA special to you?
Donita Sparks (DS): Well first off L7 started in LA and we consider ourselves an LA band and LA is my lady, of course, but I would say that it is a bit strange to play LA because we always end up hosting a big sort of party for our family and many friends. But it is always warm and fuzzy and crazy to us.
Babak Mansouri
Is punk still alive in LA? How does the scene today compare to the '90s heyday?
(DS): I was at the Circle Jerks show at the Palladium the other night as I sang a song with the band Ceremony, and the punk crowd there was very much alive and well and youthful. I know our shows are that way too – a lot of young kids in the front, and our older fans in the back.
The 90’s were great for shows, but there are a lot of cool new bands out there. Just take a look at our L7 Belasco Takeover last year. We had over a dozen young bands bringing it hard.
Cynthia Elliot
Which dive bar, hidden gem, or local venue deserves a historical plaque for something iconic L7 did there? Give us the deets.
DS: We played four sold-out shows at the Whiskey in the 90’s, which was very cool, but I believe we would have heavy competition to get a plaque at that place. A lot of L7 plaque-worthy places are gone now, but if Raji’s were still around, we could probably get a plaque there. We used to have band meetings at El Coyote frequently, so a plaque there would be awesome.
Babak Mansouri
You've mentioned surviving “misogynist rock dinosaurs” — how extinct are they in 2025?
DS: They still walk amongst us, I’m sure, but rarely do they reveal their scales and tales to us. That’s the good thing about being in a band – there are four of us to contend with. Also many of the dinosaurs have had daughters, who they all want in bands, so we’re the dinosaurs that the daughters of dinosaurs look up to. The ultimate revenge!
What's one spoiler for "The Fast and Frightening Takeover" round 2 at The Belasco that fans might not be expecting?
I’m not a spoiler of spoilers – that’s for amateurs and philistines.
Robert Fagan
You’re reuniting with Lunachicks for the first time since CBGBs in 1990. Why now?
DS: We did actually perform with Lunachicks at a Rock For Choice benefit show we put on at the Palladium in 1992, which I was recently reminded of. But I would say that Lunachicks just recently started playing shows again. A couple of them have raised beautiful children, and all have started their own businesses and solo bands, but are now reigniting the superpowers of Lunachicks. This will be their first show in LA in many moons.
And this will be the first time we're playing with the party powerhouse that is CSS. They have also returned from various art projects and sordid, time-consuming love affairs and are ready to rock.
Besides earplugs, what’s one thing the crowd should bring with them to The Belasco?
DS: Well, drugs are never a bad bet, har har, but also a good fun party attitude. I know we all have a lot of steam to blow off in today’s cultural/political climate, but a smile on your face with a middle finger in the air is the way to go at this show. Maybe a handheld fan if it gets hot.
Cynthia Elliot
What local up-and-coming band today should we have our eyes on?
DS: I really love Escape Artist Lovers. They have great songs and a very cool video-enhanced presentation. I also love Surfbort, who were one of the artists on last year’s bill at the Belasco, and Bonavega who happen to open our show at the Belasco this year on October 3rd.
If LA were a friend you've known for 40 years, what would you say to them?
DS: LA is a very good friend that I’ve known for 40 years, but I would warn my friend to ease up on their facelifts and other “improvements” like tearing down old cool buildings and replacing them with ugly stuff with no soul. Revere the colorful boardwalks (Venice Beach) and boulevards (Hollywood) as I will tell you there is nowhere like them in the world. Don’t try to clean them up too much or add franchise takeover nerdness.
Also, keep the old theaters active, whether restored or threadbare. These performance spaces are essential to LA’s soul and hipness.
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