L7Jennifer Finch, the longtime bassist of grunge outfit L7, has passed away at the age of 59.
Finch’s L7 bandmates confirmed the news on social media on the afternoon of Sunday, July 19th (Australian time).
“With a very heavy heart we announce that our beloved bandmate, friend, and fellow troublemaker Jennifer Finch has passed away today,” the group wrote.
“She had a long courageous fight with brain cancer and was loved by many wonderful friends, musical peers and fans worldwide,” they added. “We love you Jennifer.”
Finch was born in Los Angeles in 1966 and began playing music in her late teens, notably performing with future Hole co-founder Courtney Love in the short-lived Sugar Babydoll (which took on the name Pagan Babies following Finch's exit).
She joined L7 in 1986, with the group having been formed by Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner the year prior. Finch would perform with the group for the next decade, appearing on the band's first four records, including 1992's Bricks Are Heavy, and 1994's Hungry For Stink, which impacted the Australian charts upon their release.
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In 1994, Finch also notably appeared in the video for Hole's Dole Parts, standing in for the recently-deceased Kristen Pfaff. While L7 would disband in 2001, five years after Finch’s departure from the band, she also performed in a variety of other groups, including the likes of The Shocker, Betty Blowtorch, and Sex In Progress.
L7 reunited in 2014, with Finch once more resuming her role as bassist, and the group have released one more studio album thus far, 2019's Scatter The Rats.
In June, L7 announced that Finch would be unable to tour with them this month due to “a recent health concern requiring extended treatment”, and just last week revealed that Finch had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of brain cancer.
After revealing Finch’s diagnosis, the band added that “Following multiple surgeries and serious complications, Jennifer now requires extensive medical care, rehabilitation and professional in-home support.”
To help their bandmate, Finch’s friends, family and bandmates launched a GoFundMe to fund the urgent expenses required for her treatment so she can “remain safely at home with the care, dignity and support she needs.”
Though they announced Finch would be unable to join them on their upcoming run, L7 noted that “Jennifer has asked us to continue with the tour as planned.” At the time, they added, “We will honor her request while making her care and well-being our immediate priority.”
The GoFundMe campaign for Finch is still live – having hit USD $394,000 and surpassing the original USD $350,000 goal – with funds raised ostensibly going to her family in the wake of her untimely passing.
L7 were last in Australia for the 2024 edition of Good Things Festival, following tour dates in December 2023 when the band commemorated the 30th anniversary of their seminal album, Bricks Are Heavy.
