POP MUSIC REVIEW : L7 Lets Impact of Its Music Prove Its Power

L7 has many titles: Leaders of the hyped, angry-girl rock revolution; founders of the abortion-rights organization Rock for Choice, and the scrungy MTV band behind such hits as “Pretend That We’re Dead.”

Before the mainstream success of its third album in 1992, the L.A. band--which plays heavy-duty rock with a seething edge--was also renowned for its riotous live shows. But larger audiences meant larger venues (and even huge amphitheaters on the Lollapalooza ’94 tour) where L7’s jagged tumult came off more like adrenalized arena-rock.

Thursday, the band’s first of four sold-out shows in the modest setting of the Whisky, marked a resurgence of its initial force and bite. The main reason: L7 dropped its annoyingly faux bad attitude and instead showed its writhing sound to be its ultimate power.

Singer-guitarist Donita Sparks unleashed coarse roars from under Alice Cooper-ish eye makeup and matted black locks, while the band pumped out fat rock melodies with a gruff, churning edge. Bassist Jennifer Finch and guitarist Suzi Gardner also took turns as lead singer, letting loose shrill screams, then dropping into menacing monotones.

Fast tunes found the room exploding into a huge slam-a-topia, where as many women as men stage dove and crowd surfed (a rarity in the punk world). L7 is best in a small explosive space, where the impact of its music proves far more dynamic than its image.