L7 “Bricks Are Heavy” 1992. Slash Records. Massive poster included. Today, November 9th, is L7 drummer Demetra Plakas’ birthday (b. 1960). Bricks Are Heavy, produced by Butch Vig (and recorded in Madison, WI – hey, I was living there in ‘91 and ‘92 during its recording! – and Sound City in CA), was L7′s most successful record, charting at #160 on Billboard. The single “Pretend We’re Dead” became one of many grunge anthems.

Bricks are Heavy is, true to its name, heavy, infusing feminist grrrl power into its punk and metal influences. “Everglade” is a scathing commentaries on being women in the testosterone-infused music scene:

Glade told her ma, “Home scene’s lame”
“I gotta go in into town, blow some steam at the rock show”
Sneak through the back door and head for the pit
And then some drunk stupid bruiser started giving her shit

Rednecks on parade
“Don’t cross my line!” says Everglade
Everglade

He was whipping through the pit
Knocked her onto the stage
She said, “Have your fun
But stop being so lame”

The guy was drunk stupid
And he must have weighed a ton
Said, “Get outta here, girlie
I’m just trying to have some fun”

Domestic violence gets a fuck you in “Diet Pill.” And then of course there is the blatant flip of the middle finger to pretty much everyone: “Shitlist.”

When I get mad and I get pissed
I grab my pen and I write out a list
Of all the people that won’t be missed
You’ve made my shitlist
For all the ones who bum me out
(Shitlist)
For all the ones who fill my head with doubt
(Shitlist)
For all the squares who get me pissed
(Shitlist)
You’ve made my shitlist
Shitlist, shitlist
When I get mad and I get pissed
(Shitlist)
I grab my pen and write out a list
(Shitlist)
Of all you assholes who won’t be missed
(Shitlist)
You’ve made my shitlist