9 December 2023 – The Tivoli, Brisbane – words by Tarynne Ambrosi – pictures by Bec Harbour
In the early 1990’s L7 exploded onto the music scene with all the ferocity of a flung tampon in to an unsuspecting crowd – initially, it was impossible to label them as one particular genre of music. Happily being accepted by Metal Heads, Grunge and Riot Grrrls – however they found their home in the Punk scene, often being compared with The Ramones – for which Joey Ramone was stoked by the comparison. As quoted from an early SPIN article “They’re fun, they’re exciting, and they’re spirited,” Joey Ramone says, speaking of L7 as progeny. “That’s how I feel we played a major role in inspiring them, and we’re proud of it.” Joey is an L7 fan as well as a Rock for Choice performer. “I like their rebelliousness. They do what they feel, so I definitely see a lot of us in them,” Joey says. “It’s about being liberated and calling the shots.”
The crowd tonight was an eclectic mix of young and old, however the energy was positive with a sense of community, that we were all there to experience something amazing from the powerhouse all female act.
It’s 1992’s Bricks are Heavy that brings us to tonight to The Tivoli celebrating 30 years since the release of this killer album. Playing the album front to back with hits like ‘Pretend we’re Dead’ and ‘Shit List’ – On a personal note, Bricks Are Heavy really did play as the soundtrack to my rebellious teenage nonsense – And it was good!
Tonight’s support act Purple Zain take the stage with daisy dukes and flannel. Here we bloody go!
After a ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ style intro, they dive straight in to ‘Fall In Love’ with sass and quite frankly the shortie shorts are distractingly short, particularly on men of a certain ‘cialis taking’ age. Not to be outdone – PZ announces “‘”What do you reckon guys, you ready to fall in love?” with an enticing titty squeeze and I for one am ready to fall in love after this brazen act.
Purple Zain – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Then, Logan hip hop tribute? with very special guest, Brisbane’s third favourite son? Now we are getting stuck in to the very serious business of the Triple C – Cocaine, Champagne and Cialis. kind of (ironically) reminded me of The Hard Ons. Their last track is the 12.5 min rock opera which could easily be from the soundtrack for classic film The Room – The vocals for Jodie Maloney were a little low, but the audio clips of 90’s style ‘life on the urban streets is rough’ is a whole vibe on its own.
Absolutely cracking good band.. so much fun and energy and I rate them 3 C’s out of a total of 3 C’s. Go see them if you get a chance, its scientifically impossible to not enjoy their set!
L7 – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
L7 hit the stage, Donita Sparks announcing “Howzit going Brisbane, far the fuck out” launching in to ‘Wargasm’ with the comment of “there is always a war going on somewhere”. Through ‘Scrap’ with driving bass from Jennifer Finch. On to ‘Pretend We’re Dead’ with the proviso from Sparks “Usually bands will play their biggest hit last but this was third on the album – so you cannot leave, LOCK THE DOORS!” which was meet with laughter and cheers from the punters and of course the song was a massive crowd pleaser. (no one left after the song FYI).
L7 – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Churning through the rest of Bricks Are Heavy with easy breezy LA punk easy – the crowd was completely loving the experience to the fullest singing along to songs like ‘Everglade’ and ‘Shitlist’ at the top of their lungs. L7 then moved on to additional tracks, ‘Andres’, ‘Fuel My Fire’, ‘Stadium West’ on to ‘Non-Existent Patricia’. Then on to ‘Fighting the Crave’, ‘Human’ and ‘Bad Things’ – ‘Shove’ and ‘Mar-A-Lago’. Absolutely cracking set from L7. As concerts go, they are most certainly NOT on my shit list.
