Jennifer Finch, the influential L7 bassist who helped shape the LA punk scene, has died at the age of 59. The news comes days after Finch announced she was battling an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Finch’s L7 bandmates shared a statement on social media confirming the news, writing: “With a very heavy heart we announce that our beloved bandmate, friend, and fellow troublemaker Jennifer Finch has passed away today.
“She had a long courageous fight with brain cancer and was loved by many wonderful friends, musical peers and fans worldwide. We love you Jennifer.”
The band paid tribute to their bassist in a separate statement shared by their publicist, in which they say, “We are shattered by the loss of our beloved bandmate, sister and friend Jennifer Finch, whose fierce spirit, humor and boundless creativity helped shape L7 and changed all of our lives forever.
“Jennifer was a true original who lived entirely on her own terms, and the impact she made on music, art and everyone lucky enough to know her cannot be measured. We love her beyond words and will carry her with us always. Rest in power our dear friend.”
Earlier this month, Finch announced she had pulled out of L7’s Last Hurrah farewell tour as a result of her cancer battle, which had left her in need of extensive medical care and in-home support.
A GoFundMe page had been launched by family friends to cover medical costs, which arose as a result of unforeseen complications that led to “multiple surgeries and a string of difficult setbacks”.
It has raised almost $400,000 at the time of writing. Some of the proceeds will be directed towards an initiative to preserve Finch’s legacy “by creating an archive of her artistic and creative work”.
A distinct creative force that spanned the worlds of music, art, photography and bass guitar, Finch first joined L7 in 1987, shortly after the boundary-pushing band formed.
Musically, she became the backbone of the group’s classic lineup. With her iconic Ghost bass – which she loaned to Krist Novoselic and donated to the Punk Rock Museum – she propped up bandmates Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner and Dee Plakas with a heavy, response-led bass ethos that defined the hard-edged L7 sound.
“One of my biggest fears is being revealed as not that great at bass. Technically, I know what I like – I want the bass to be explosive and hold down a bottom-end, but also to have overtone and drive,” Finch once told Bass Player of her style.
Culturally, she also became a force in the genre and the industry; a flagbearer who blended music with political commentary and activism to support women and queer rights in an often hostile, male-dominated space.
Her L7 days are just part of her legacy. Over the course of her career, Finch also played alongside a pre-Hole Courtney Love in Sugar Babydoll, founded the punk rock group The Shocker, produced a Ramones tribute album, opened for Nirvana on tour, and launched her own label, Little Pusher Records.
There has been an outpouring of love for Finch from across the music world, with the likes of Tom Morello, Garbage, Violet Grohl and Courtney Love all paying tribute.
“God bless her. An important fixture of the LA scene, a super cool person, a true artist with a kind and welcoming heart,” Morello wrote. “I loved, respected and admired her greatly. She will be missed.”
“This is so devastating, she was such a force,” Grohl added. “Made so many feel so seen. Rest in peace legend.”
Visit GoFundMe to continue donating the ongoing archive project.
