Jennifer Finch, bassist and founding member of the influential rock band L7, has died at age 59. Finch had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Finch co-founded L7 in Los Angeles in 1985, helping establish the band as a pioneering force in the grunge and alternative rock movements of the late 1980s and 1990s. The all-female group became known for their aggressive sound and confrontational stage presence, releasing seven studio albums over their career. L7's music addressed social and political issues while challenging gender norms in the male-dominated rock scene of the era.
The bassist played a central role in L7's most successful period, which included the albums "Bricks Are Heavy" in 1992 and "Hungry for Stink" in 1994. The band's single "Pretend We're Dead" became a mainstream hit and remains one of the defining songs of the grunge era. Beyond her work with L7, Finch was an active participant in the Rock for Choice benefit concert series, which raised funds and awareness for reproductive rights throughout the 1990s.
Finch's musical career extended beyond L7. She played bass for the punk band The Runaways during a brief stint in 1987 and collaborated with numerous other artists in the alternative rock community. After L7 initially disbanded in 2001, Finch continued working in music and appeared on various recording projects. The band reunited in 2014 and had been performing sporadically in recent years.
Finch's death represents the loss of a significant figure in alternative rock history. Her contributions to L7 helped pave the way for future generations of women in rock music. The band's influence continues to be felt in contemporary punk and alternative music, with many artists citing L7 as an inspiration for their own work.