Product Description L7: Pretend We're Dead takes us on an all-access journey into the 1990's grunge movement that took the world by storm, and the band that helped define it as the genre of a generation. Culled from over 100 hours of vintage home movies taken by the band, never-before-seen performance footage, and candid interviews, L7: Pretend We're Dead is an engrossing time capsule told from the perspective of L7, these true insiders who brought their signature blend of grunge punk to the masses! Chronicling the early days of the band's formation in 1985 to their height as the 'queens of grunge,' the film takes a roller coaster ride through L7's triumphs and failures, providing never-before-discussed insight into the band's eventual dissolution in 2001. Formed by Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner-guitars/vocals, the band completed their lineup with the addition of Jennifer Finch on bass/vocals and Dee Plakas on drums. To highlight the fact that L7 was an all-female group, however, was to miss the point. "Our fans couldn't give a sh*t if we're women," Sparks says. "We did not set out to be an all-girl band. It just happened that way." Yet the "gender issue" would return time and again for the band; from shock jocks refusing to play "chick rock" to academics accusing the band of "incorrectly" embracing their feminism to hard rock press implying the band was merely riding a wave of "grrl power" trendiness. Despite these obstacles, L7: Pretend We're Dead shows the thread of influence the band had not only on rock and roll but on future generations of women everywhere and is, at the end, a testament to the pioneering spirit of a band that refuses to take anything lying down. "They can't hear a word we said, when we pretend that we're dead" Also includes the infamous 1997 documentary "L7 The Beauty Process" that was directed by Krist Novoselic. Review 'L7: Pretend We're Dead Restores the Legacy of One of L.A.'s Best Bands' LA WEEKLY --Los Angeles Weekly'Feminist punk-rockers rejoice!' 'L7: Pretend We're Dead' Tells The Story Behind This Badass Feminist Punk Band --Bust'Honest and Raw!' --Yahoo
M**K
The 2nd Coming of L7
I have been a fan of these gals for a long time- I am pushing 60 y/o and am happy that that they all are in their mid 50's so I don't have to treat them as a guilty pleasure haha!- I have great respect for their what I consider unique creativity- I see their music as a decent balance of both feminine and masculine razor sharp and passionate. My heart really went out to the entire band's struggle for more exposure and recognition especially Suzi Gardner saying she felt like she wasted her life- I just want to say NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER THAN THE TRUTH MY LOVE!! - Also am enjoying listening to their tune-age esp. Slap Happy, when I'm racing around in my job as a city ED nurse I have On MY Rock'n Machine going thru my head as a mantra!
A**R
More respect than ever
Love and respect them even more now - because underneath they're exactly the people they've always appeared to be. Fierce, kick ass rockers with a punk attitude who TIG welded art and punk together into something really special. The only thing I'll say about them being women is that when I play 'Shirley' for my girls I use L7 as an example of how gender doesn't mean sh$t. The documentary is especially good because unlike most documentaries - the subjects of the documentary are completely open about the things that scare them, hurt them, and drive them. They're real people who seem wiser but unchanged by their fame.Had no idea they were touring again (at least they were in 2015) - proud to have seen them at the MusicFarm - will keep eyes/ears open for them now.
T**S
Insightful, articulate, funny and heartbreaking. A must see for any L7 or music history fans.
This well- crafted documentary tells the story of L7 from their own words. A very warts and all, honest, touching, sad, funny look into what is was to be L7. One of the most( if not the most) underrated grunge/punk/rock/metal/pop acts of all time. Very insightful , and heartbreaking at times. Truly one of the best films in its class. Documentary film buffs will love it.L7 fans, hardcore and casual fans will love it. Humor, politics, sarcasm, and great music is everything to can expect from this great band and this film breaks down each into very human stories. This tough-as-nails band , that just happens to be women, are human like the rest of us.
L**H
Love that Becky Wreck had a great moment in this
Love that Becky Wreck had a great moment in this!It aaalll seems like yesterday...sigh.Wow, just so bizarre to see all of this great footage from a time that seems not so long ago, butthen when faced with the scenes you realize that in comparison to now; it WAS a long time ago, thusI feel older than I did before watching.It made me face reality, WAH!!!!But no, it's a great document of that scene, the band and a time when people made their own lookrather than buying it in a pretty package at the mall.
A**E
Honest and raw, so be prepped for that.
I adore L7. Threw my undies at them once during a concert. Their music is an important part of my formation as a human. So, yeah, I had to buy this.For fans that want an honest veiw of the band and their up and down run, this is an important watch. If you want the usual happy ending, rah rah stuff, then this isn't a great place. They didn't end where they wanted to. Didn't end where they should have. That's sad, but I really appreciated the honesty here and that it showed them as people while also showcasing the impact they had on music and society. Buy it. Rock out. Bring klenex.
C**S
Not a bad deal!
Great group from the 90s, underappreciated, under-rated. Incredible documentary about a cool band that just might get what they deserve!
S**S
Brilliant!!!
I've been looking forward to seeing this documentary for over a year, since I first heard about it being developed. Now, I've finally watched it. Just brilliant. Absolutely incredible. Running at just under 90 minutes, I was totally engrossed from the very beginning. I got to learn more about one of my favourite bands. There were highs, lows, "interesting" moments, and humour all blended in nicely.The Blu-ray/DVD pack also comes with deleted scenes and a a pseudi-documentary on the band from the 90s, directed by Nirvana's Krist Novoselic. That's a lot of value all in this one package. I cannot recommend this enough!
P**K
Informative! Well done!
L7 was one of the most influential bands to come out of the 90's, and they never got the respect, the money or the fame that the boys did. Their time in limelight came & went before social media, so this bio provides the missing pieces to the story. Thank you so much for doing this for your fans, L7! Excellent!! And I hope the gals get some good money out of this!
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