Donita Sparks: Full Life Interview
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- In this oral history, Donita Sparks discusses growing up outside of Chicago, her three older sisters, and how she was introduced to rock and roll. Sparks recalls her early ambitions to be a dancer, the draw of performing, and how hearing a Ramones record changed the course of her life. She describes moving to Los Angeles with no solid plans and the jumbled punk scene of the time. Sparks talks about how L7 formed, meeting each of the members, and how they contributed to the band as a whole. She discusses the difference between how media outlets and the punk community reacted to L7 and the members while delving into what she is remembered for. Sparks talks openly about how and why certain people are remembered and why others are forgotten. She stresses the importance of archives and remembering the past, saying that the L7 documentary was in part motivated by her desire to look out for her younger self. The interview concludes with her thoughts on aging in the public eye, the category of women in rock, and relationships in the entertainment industry.
Donita Sparks is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for her work in L7.The band released their documentary, Pretend We’re Dead in 2016, and continue to record and perform. L7 released their first album in 20 years, Scatter the Rats, in 2019.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Donita Sparks interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project on July 21, 2015 in Santa Monica, CA
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history
L7 SHOULD BE MILLIONAIRES
1000% agree
YEEEES
@@petermurdoch7540 THE RATS IN THE CORN
Some men can't handle it when women rock..I think they'd rather them down in the pit as a potential groupie 🤫 When you make observations like that you get called a feminazi and it's only your looking for your own expression too by playing aggressive hard music. We've all had tough life experiences. But it doesn't make sense how l7 aren't bigger and do they ever get on festival lineups anymore?
@@123cillitbang Doesn’t her comment at 59:57 kind of dispel that myth?
L7 were far better then most of other bands of that generation. I'm glad they didn't give up playing.
by a huge margin!
And this generation
Very underrated band these ladies kick ass🤘🤘🤘
Totally!!!
Absolutely!!!
L7 has been amongst my favourite bands since Bricks Are Heavy. That album and Beauty Process are almost “every track” good - which is rare.
I wasn’t disaffected or anything, I just love the attitude and humour that flows through the songs.
In a couple weeks I’m taking my 2 daughters and a musically talented friend of theirs to see L7 in Detroit. They’re very excited to see them live.
To ensure they were fully ready for the experience I made a Spotify playlist I called “L7 Shitlist” - I know my youngest has played the hell out of it and intends to have a blast at the show.
They had known many of the songs already as L7 has always been on various playlists over the years.
Donita, if you’re reading this, while I’m disappointed you guys never made substantial monetary rewards for your output, please understand that your music has been an ongoing gift in many peoples lives. That’s a very special thing.
I love that my girls are “getting” L7 and I’m sure your music will carry forward and be a part of many lives moving forward.
Greatly enjoyed listening to this interview. Now when I describe L7 to others I won’t just say “4 tough bitches” - now “4 funny, intelligent women that play it hard”
See you in Detroit!!
Totally!!
So i found L7 in 2004. My youngest son was 5 oldest 6 both had guitars. My mother in law watched both of them play pretend were dead.. after alot of my help.. 2 Weeks later she bought every L7 cd and we play them all.. THANK YOU L7….
Nothing but full respect Donita ... Just stay who you are
Watched them this year. Still rocking hard AF. They really do own that stage 🤘🏻🔥
they still touring?!?!? and i most likely missed a show?!?!?!😡😡😡
saw them last week in Barcelona, they are F/Amazing!!!!! better than any grunge band
Love this woman
Great Interview. What an inspirational musician she is. L7 bloody rock hard too. Still listen to them regularly.
This BAND, those songs, lyrics, the attitude, pure rock n' roll to the bone. Still listen to their music and it still hits hard! Love them forever. I named my Jeep Everglade. . if you know then you know. urghhh. . . I wish I could have seen them live. 😞
Great to hear all this from Donita! Everyone that's into rock should go see L7 perform and get their minds blown, they are incredibly powerful and authentic. Hope they keep touring and recording, and that the new generation get to know them!
I am who I am, as a Gen X riot grrrrl, because of L7, Bratmobile, 7 Year Bitch, Bikini Kill, Lunachicks, Babes In Toyland…
And proudly passed it on to my Gen Z kid.
Wow, she was my absolute icon and role model growing up, and l7 one of my first concerts at 15 years old. This is the first proper interview with her I've seen. This has made my year! Reeling....
This interview was so real and raw, I really appreciate her honesty. I also thought L7 were really successful and huge, I'm so sad to hear that Donita didn't have health insurance.
I'm in Hawaii and I got to tell you l7 is still a fucking great band in my life!
Wow Donita Sparks tells everything, anyway it was a pretty interesting interview and one of the most influential bands ever as important as the Ramones or Motorhead, awesome band , the best of the 90s
You got that right !
They are as iconic as any band and it hurts my heart to see how they were just shunned ..the movie Pretended were dead had me in absolutely tears ...what a heavy load to carry ...
The first time I saw L7 in Toronto they were on double bill with the Lunachicks. A memorable performance.
So great to hear more about Donita and her life and not just about the general stuff. She's so genuine and relatable ...L7 rocked my world as a 15 year old, I'm so happy they are still a part of my world now I'm 42! 😎 X
Huge fan of her and L7! Transmiticate was a great album while she briefly headed the Stellar Moments. So glad that L7 resumed and are still making awesome music together!
All I know is you have got me through life, the rush of a soccer game, the new relationship or breakup, being a social worker now for 18 years L7 has gotten me through it all…
One of the most important contributors to 90s thrash and rock...geez we took the 90s forgranted and let it pass to quickly
L7 to Babes in Toyland and the Gits ahh..respect to these great rockers
l7 has literaly nothing to do with thrash but i mean they do rule
L7 is still a great band. I'm 38 going on 39 and I'm remembering the first time I heard L7: Summer of 1997, 13 years old and it was my friends older sister Kim who introduced me to the greatness that is L7. It was like whoa! Kick ass women who rock hard. When the hiatus happened, a lot of people in my circle were not to happy. Also from what we read, from things Donita has said as well as what other rock musicians have said.....Rock bands get screwed by the recording industry. It seems like the recording industry wants pop bands. Can't stand the pop diva type bands or singers. Always been a fan of Rock thanks to my Mom. It was great to spend an hour and a half listening to Donita about well, her and L7.
1991 I was nearly sober and heard shove for the first time. That song described exactly how I felt about everything. I still feel that way now. I've been in L7 fan since.
ill never be to describe how i feel listening to that song lol
This was great! I've always thought of L7 as just a great band, one of the heaviest of that era\m/
When i discovered "Hungry for stink" i become L-7 addict forever ....
Their best album
I was 13 or 14 when that came out and I became hooked.. and then obsessed when the beauty process came out.
Same.
Unbelievably underrated album, I think L7's magnum opus. I don't think I really understood L7 musically until I listened to that album, I listened to it after coming out of an abusive relationship and songs like Baggage and Questioning My Sanity became anthems for me, really helped me through one of the toughest times in my life. And now L7 are my most listened to band on spotify!
I am just giving my opinion ..I really get upset at the fact that this ..these women have been literally just fucked off by the Society we live in ..even back when they or people thought they were on top of the world ..they were so disrespected ! The day they become inducted into the hall of fame would be so justified and I'd be so happy for them ..
I totally agree. It's such an injustice in the world even now. Sadly I feel like things have almost gone backwards with the presence of more female musicians in the 90s compared to now and without TH-cam vids like this and L7's documentary, they would still be barely visible online...
They took dictations from a label which took them further than they would have gotten by themselves. Just so happens the lable only cares about money and used L7 til nothing was left. It's kinda sad but they went with it so
She aged well. Doesn't look much different than she did in '92. I'm also not wearing my spectacles.
Got to respect L7's honesty and no bullshit attitude especially Donita. It's okay to have a sense of humor while pointing the absurdities and tragedies of life. This interview is certainly much more endearing to me as a fan than seeing some douche bags collection of cars that he can't afford.
Donita needs to link up with Gibson, and have them do an Icons piece on her and put out a signature V series.
Donita is one of my favorite musicians, thanks for uploading. You can tell I’m a big fan of Donita because I watched the whole thing and I have the attention span of a gnat lol.
This woman is so sweet, smart, respectful, talented, cultured and cool. I'm so in love with her.
I got an L7 album as a kid, think I was about 13 years, from my moms brother for like a birthday gift. I was instantly hooked on it. Have to say Im surprised that ”bricks are heavy” didnt sell more, some of the tracks there were like really polished and accesiable enough even for mainstream listeners. They defently deserved more credit than they got. Anyways, thanks Donita and L7 for some really awesome music :)
Wow, love to learn more about this amazing woman. I have always played black Gibson V's, sang and played metal. My bandmates took me to see L7 at the stock pavilion in Madison,wis in the mid 90's. I was front and center and my eyes were glued to this wondrous metal goddess with a black v. They all joked for months that I had a puppy dog look of falling in love, for hours even after the show. I had never seen or heard of L7, so my bandmates were totally setting me up, to see this girl with the black v. Glad to see Donita is alive and well.
Easily one of the most original bands ever L7 stand alone
I absolutely love L7, and I Donita's solo stuff with the Stellar Moments. If you haven't heard her solo stuff he should listen to it.
I mean, she's so pretty! I mean, a goddess.
Love some Donita.saw L7 on dallas back in the 90s.L7 and Babes In Toyland are unstoppable . 🤘🏻🎱🤘🏻
I F***** Luv you you guys!! Being a wild, rebellious and very troubled teenage girl in the 90's with music being my only steady, reliable comfort, I want to thank you for giving me a reason to get excited and feel it was okay to be different to not conform to what everyone expected me to be. I'm 42 now and I love your music and everything it stands for just as much! if not more now!! You are definitely not forgotten!! I don't think you realize the impact you have made on the planet!! You guy's are epic!!! So much love and respect from New Zealand!!
Absolutely one of my favorite bands while living in the 90's. So down to earth and so actively opposed to trying to be big, shiny rock stars. Still awesome. Kills me hearing they weren't making money, even back in the day.
This is so cool to listen to! It's great to get the biographical bits that go beyond the rock star narrative and show where the real person and the rock star intersect. Fans are never shown that and it makes it so hard for people who want to make art to imagine ever making it if they can't see the real person behind the image. Also Donita just seems like such a cool person, and it is a pleasure to hear her talk. Thanks for posting!
Complete honesty and integrity! The two instances where Donita proves she lives by those character traits were the incredibly rude festival concert when the speakers blew and the band wanted to fix the sound and the English television show where she decided to let her freak flag fly. In the festival she gave the crowd exactly what they deserved and on the television show she proved she loves freedom and hates censorship. I'd tell her I love her but...she also scares me.🤯👽🤪🥵😍🤐
One of the coolest women I've ever seen. Adore her music, her style and personality! Why so many shitty people with nothing to say make tons of money and a band like L7, so important for so many of us, risked oblivion..
Are you friends w/ Erik Marshall ? Hollywood ?
@@teriakamoto No, should I? Who is he?
@@rominaantonelli9157 Guitarist for Macy Gray a while back, played with RHCP for a minute way way back. I thought I met you a couple of times in Hollywood. Perhaps i am mistaken. Did you ever live in HW ? Becka, a former A&R Supposedly for A&M a Friend ? I really thought i had met you back around 2000. Completely innocent lol. No Cattle Calls or Couch Auditions here. I'm old and over the Scene. Big Time. I do like me some L7 though. It's a Good Stank. \m/
@@teriakamoto So funny because you described the life I would have liked to live! But unfortunately no, I have never been in USA! Just dreamed about it through music and movies, as many Europeans do.
@@rominaantonelli9157 Hi Romina ! Thank You for your polite response ! That's interesting as I'm an American that has had aspirations to to visit Europe. I raced Speedway Motorcycles here for years and the best are in Poland Sweeden,Denamrk, and Russia, and of course the British League in U.K.My heredity is from Lithuanian, and Irish?British mostly. I have always gravitated towards European Artist in all genres and of course my love for Motorcycle Racing. Yin, & Yang. A balance of interest I have played Guitar since i was 13 years old and love it. I'm into playing and practicing more than ever now, but have absolutely no desire to really be in a Band or Tour. I grew up on Rock, Played Violin as a youngster, Sang in Choir in Jr.High lol, and could sing and mimic different voices well but do not have the confidence or personality to be a Front Man or sing in front of people. Stage Fright and the fear of rejection lol is very powerful. Being in a Band is hard work ! Very repetitive and takes dealing with 3, or 4 other personalities depending on 1, or 2 Guitarist. I always swore off Keyboards as I always adhered to th raw and stripped down Rock or Garage setting ? But i bought a nice Synthesizer for recording and experimental, production and just for intros and outros, beats and love a Psychedelic aspect to what i envision. I am also a visual Artist and have beenDrawing & Painting since I was 5. I can go laces in my mind and i guess i would say that i am creative and can and do compose in my mind a lot. What country are you in if you don't mind me asking ? I love making new friends and although not a big Social Media person, I have a facebook page under Jimmy Mclarnin (Viet Nam) lol. I live at the beach in SO. Orange County ,CA. USA. I don't know why i put Viet Nam. That's just the "Punk" side of my mind. Feel free to send me a Friend Request and i'd love to talk Music,Art, Sport, Food,Etc. Anyone reading that's not insane and considers themselves a decent person and of solid character is also welcome.I'm a bit of a recluse out of choice and don't have the time to "hang out" as I keep my life simple and devote my time to Music,Studying Music, Film, and Sleeping lol. I can never get more than 6 hours if i'm lucky. I love Dogs and have one that is my best friend. Cats are nice also. I love all Animals and prefer them over most people lol. I don't really go to Shows anymore unless an old LA/Hollywood Punk Band plays locally like the Weirdo's, Circle Jerks, OFF, and of course L7.I do love Classical Music,some Jazz, old Motown,Funk (Parliament), very early Blues (Early 20th century) and old Rock like the Doors,Pink Floyd, Sabbath Blue Cheers.Iggy Pop, Mott the Hoople for a few. I've taken way too much space on his page. Cheers- \m/
Donita and L7 are so freaking Awesome. Donita is also Beautiful, Gorgeous, Wow! 🤩
Donita Rules. Thanks for thiis.
30 years later, I still have my Smell The Magic shirt
L7 to me in the UK were always bigger than nirvana
L7 the best female band ever and Donita and Jenifer Finch are super gorgeous 😘
Apesar de eu gostar mais de SUZY cantando no L7 , DONITA é maravilhosa... e toca guitarra muito bem ! Donita é uma mulher de atitude !
L7 pra sempre !
Rio de Janeiro-🇧🇷
They need to do this with all 4 member
I hope Donita is happy with how well represented a lot of the 90’s female Rockers are these days via like TH-cam and Instagram. Seems like they are being rediscovered by vast diverse groups awesome to see .
Wish they would’ve got what they deserved monetarily but at least they never sold out rocked it out from day 1. All respect to L7
L7 were the first all-female band that I ever saw live, back in Glasgow in 1992 (touring with FNM). This was right around the time of the TV performance on The Word which is referenced during this interview. What a great band - they rocked and sixteen year-old me crowdsurfed :)
I saw them in the Garage, must have been 95?
Very Beautiful & Jennifer too! I was the Stylist of PRETEND WERE DEAD!!!
Saw them last Night
Here in Barcelona
When They were going
I WAS screeming
I LOVE YOU DONNITA LIKE VE YOU JENNIFER!!
Ihope if They read these
To forgive me😢😢😢
Donita = Little Donut (in Spanish)
This is really great. I definitely heard Donita talk about things she doesn’t usually mention, but I am thankful for her honesty here. ❤️
thats such a cool interview! L7 fucking rocks man, best band ive ever seen live, saw them for the 5th time in toronto a few weeks ago for the bricks are heavy 30th tour, i had to haul my ass from montreal to go there, with both my knees fucking hurting cuz of ostheoarthritis (id be pissing blood out of my eyes and i still would have gone), and it was an amazing show, bricks are heavy front to back and then another hour of ass kickin songs, including a bowie cover at the end...been a die hard fan since 1995, they changed my life, gave me a purpose, cuz i played in bands for 20 years and going back to it just now. cheers to all four of them!
She is a fantastic song writer and guitarist.Always liked her style and music.Would like to meet her one day.She could actually meet fans at horror movie conventions because of her music on Natural Born Killers movie,would like to see her perform in Las Vegas at House of Blues one day as well.Only seen L7 once and they rocked🤘🏻
i saw L7 in davis, CA 90? with green day opening, and Mr. T experience. i met Suzie's grand parents that night...
How the hell do 2 people dislike this? Great interview of a legend. Sucks you didn’t make enough money: I bought all your cds and saw y’all live a dozen times. Twice since you started playing again. Thanks for the great memories, the awesome shows and taking a few minutes to talk to me while y’all were in Houston once. Respect.
One of the most important people in rock music from my lifetime. A true fucking blue badass.
AMAZING L7 🎉Donita Sparks ✨
LEGEND,,THE REAL DEAL
When she talks about that night on lake Michigan is like hearing about the moment when someones destiny reveals itself
I really love this interview and the way it was conducted. Seems like a great concept. Keep all this going it’s so important for music history.
Yes but almost no volume for the interviewer is a huge mistake. 🤷🤦. Hard to follow
4 years later and i still come back to this interview! I feel it's the closest ill get to sit in a bar and chat with Donita for hours!
Great frontwoman. Great band.
Que bien que habla, se le entiende todo perfecto
Rest assured ladies of L7. You have made a unique & indelible mark that history will bear out. Absolute mavericks like Patti Smith. It’s a crime that you did not get the mega $$ you so deserve!
Nice interview. Love Donita, she's beautiful, strong, powerful, and speaks from the gut and the heart. Excited to take my grandson and daughter to see them live in Joshua Tree in a couple of weeks.
Donita seems to be cool and very honest, we know now a bit more of L7, bad the pandemic situation cancels the show in France for me anyway ! hope to see them soon i'm a fan since "Bricks are heavy"they played in Charleville Mézières(the town i was born)incredible... Le Cabaret Vert for me it's like watching Motörhead in Paris but i missed them , i live in Lille but their show won't be available until...time will tell
Yeah it surprises me that I have never heard of L7 And I think their music is great I am 62 years old and I've seen John Jett about 5 times during the eighties early eighties And I stumbled across L7 on spotify A few days ago And have wondered why I have never heard of them They play kick ass rock and I would have love to seen them When they were hot in the early nineties
She understood the whole female thing.
A don't give a shit if you are man, women, dinosorour, can you rock n roll? Or not?
Funny when she said "famous" food critict there is not such thing as a "famous" food critict.
Watch Mark Weins!
So cool!! She looks amazing. L7 has the best style. Wish I was them.
L7 were a massive influence on me as a teenager in the early 90ies. Very good interview, thank you!
Are you a Musician ?
Thank you, so much, for getting this interview and sharing it with us.
Thank you Donita for being so truthfull!! You lighted up my mind! THANK YOU
Loved them since 1990, great interview! Always loved watching the band destroy interviews, amazing ladies, still regularly played LAF as I drive around TOWN.
She looks well. Aged (dis) gracefully 😊😊
One of the most important people on the planet !! :).
She does not not want to be there. This interviewer needs to do her homework. Good Grief!
L7 one of my fav bands ever
Such an honest interview \m/
I love Donita Sparks! Thanks for the interview; great job
Donita is the best. Fucking love that band
Pretty cool lady.
I never realized until this interview that she has a Chicago accent. Not only is Donita a great musician but she was also a great supporter of other people's bands in the 90's - I saw her out in small clubs all the time back then, supporting friends bands in the audience.
Wait, Kathleen rarely talks about her husband, and it's VERY rarely talked about in the press. Her activism continued past bikini kill and le tigre had hits, Julie Ruin had an impact in the underground from the day it came out until now. I can understand why Donita could perceive it that way, for sure, but that's not the case in the same way Courtney road the fame of Kurt. Yes she had pre Kurt visibility and live through this is an iconic album but Kathleen kept her visibility through her work on feminism and that can't be discounted. Also hearing more about post band life is really interesting. You shouldn't feel the need to apologies for it. We as viewers want to know the timeline of their lives and art from inception until now. Exploring the culture climate of the time would also be interesting, it's touched upon depending on the artist but it's just as important as the work.
I would love to hear from uk bands like huggy bear, the slits etc. Thanks for archiving these artist lives and contributions.
Thank you for this comment. I did interview Paloma McClardy (Slits/ Raincoats)--she's in the US now. I have my UK list...need to raise some funds first. Project is still entirely publicly funded--and by my credit cards! We accept donations year round.
Rock legend. Much love, Ms Sparks
This was a great interview! Thank you!! And rock the fuck on Donita and L7!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
L7 is awesome! First time I've ever saw an interview with Donita Sparks to see how she actually felt in her own words rather than what some journalist said happened. Thanks Tanya Pearson.
I know, I'm a loser replying to my own comment, when I made the first one hadn't watched the whole thing yet. We all know why there wasn't anything came up on them when you googled L7 a decade ago, they were female and rather than act like bimbos and dress like strippers they were real people. Real people are boring, look at the role models of today (what a joke, "role models of today"). If only they'd worn pointy bras and corsets.
Donita is like Gen X's version of Grace Slick
Fantastic Donita Sparks, Great Attitude, ... in my Top 10 Bands ... You Rule !
Her singing voice is as unique as they come. No one sounds like her. At least I've never heard them.
L7 are my idea of the band the ROCKS
God I love this woman... *sigh*
I love L7. It is so cool she is still rocking'. It is cool to hear people that made it tell their story.
I know a couple people who met L7, they knew Babes In Toyland better. That’s cool about the artistic things.
My son does art stuff, paintings. He has stuff in galleries.
My daughter was very artistic.
She made stuff out of clay and painted and drawing and wall hangings and making her own clothes and cooking. She sold a lot of what she made.
She died in 2018, she was using dirty needles and got septic shock.
I like Wargasm and Shove and Fast and Frightening.
I love her honesty. She hasn’t changed personality wise and it’s fucking awesome
amazing woman, amazing band that fucking rule.
excellent interview! much respect to L7. love their music. i was so happy they played in mckinlleyville once and i got to see them.
What a fucking legend! Love Donita
This whole Women In Rock is great. As of this posting I've only heard this and Tanya Donnelly so far in the series. I'm going to listen to all of them. Impressive
I find the majority of the musicians from that scene fascinating. I grew up in bristol UK listening to a lot of the bands from that era and when I put a record on that I haven't listened to for a while it makes my spine tingle. In a good way...