Jennifer Finch, founding and longtime bassist of pioneering feminist rock band L7, has died at the age of 59 following a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
News of Finch’s diagnosis was made public earlier this week alongside a GoFundMe campaign raising money for in-home nursing care, physical and speech therapy, medical equipment, and other essentials. Her death was announced late Saturday, July 18th, by her bandmates in L7. At the time of publication, close to $400,000 had been raised on her behalf.
“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,” the group said in a statement. “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.”
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A native of Los Angeles, Finch got her musical start in Sugar Babydoll, which also featured future Hole frontwoman Courtney Love and Babes in Toyland founder Kat Bjelland. But it was a few years later, in 1986, upon linking up with Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner, that she found her permanent home in L7, which would become one of the pioneering feminist rock bands of the era.
At the time she joined L7, Finch’s bass playing was actually rudimentary at best, as her true passion lay in photography. But what she initially lacked in technical experience, she more than made up for with a ferocious, unmatched stage presence. “I knew I’d have to make up for my inability to play [with attitude],” Finch explained in a 2019 interview with Please Kill Me.
Beyond her live persona, Finch’s networking skills and industry savvy were instrumental in elevating L7’s status from the LA underground to national stages, ultimately helping them book bigger gigs like Lollapalooza 1994.
Finch contributed to all five of L7 albums, including their 1988 eponymous debut, Smell the Magic (1990), Bricks Are Heavy (1992), and Hungry for Stink (1994), and Smell the Rats (2019). She was also the sole songwriter on songs like “(Right On) Thru,” “Everglade,” “One More Thing,” and “Shirley.”
In 1996, following the tragic death of a close friend who worked as a roadie for the band, and facing growing concerns over her financial future, Finch departed L7. However, she later reunited with the group as part of their 2014 reunion tour and remained a member until her death.
Finch also was founder of the punk group The Shocker, and appeared in Hole’s music video for “Doll Parts” in place of bassist Kristen Pfaff had died of an overdose in June of that year. She also documented much of her career through a camera lens and saw her photography featured in several exhibits, including in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.