Third Man Records is excited to announce L-Seven, a collection of unreleased studio and live recordings by influential early-80’s Detroit post-punk group L-Seven, to be released July 31, 2020 digitally and on vinyl. To ring in the announcement, Third Man has shared “Flowers of Romance” — listen HERE. The limited colored vinyl exclusive LP comes with a bonus 4-song 7″ containing 3 studio tracks and one live, very raw version of L-Seven and John Brannon (Laughing Hyenas) covering Alice Cooper’s “You Drive Me Nervous.” Watch a trailer for the LP HERE, pre-save the digital version HERE, and pre-order the vinyl version HERE.
L-Seven were a short-lived but foundational post-punk band from Detroit, MI. Active between 1980-83. L-Seven only ever officially released one 7” on Touch And Go’s Special Forces, a division of Touch And Go Records designated for releases that were not just straight-ahead punk and hardcore. The L-Seven 7” was the only Special Forces release.
L-Seven was formed by members of The Blind, Retro and Algebra Mothers, and fiery singer Larissa Stolarchuk — not to be confused with the similarly named LA grunge group L7 who would form a decade afterward. Following the demise of L-Seven, Larissa (now going by Larissa Strickland), while still donning her bleached blonde hair and tattered floral sundress with combat boots, would put down the mic and pick up a guitar and form the seminal Laughing Hyenas with her partner in (life of) crime John Brannon.
During their time together, L-Seven was loved and respected by all of the Detroit punk and hardcore bands. Larissa was the surrogate den mother to the hardcore scene, and although L-Seven’s sound was far from hardcore, their DIY attitude and willingness to bring art into their music was hugely inspiring and influential to the “Freezer Theater” crew. They shared stages with Negative Approach, Necros, Meatmen and all of the midwest superstars as well as many legendary touring artists. L-Seven opened for Iggy Pop, The Birthday Party, Bush Tetras, did a small tour with Gun Club and even played U2’s first ever Detroit show (proof of this is included on this LP).
Third Man Records is beyond proud to be releasing an LP of unreleased studio and live recordings. It has been our honor to work closely with longtime fan and almost-member Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth, all surviving L-Seven members as well as a few other folks from the L-Seven scene. Sadly, Larissa passed away in 2006, but her presence is missed and this record is dedicated to her.
