L7 Announces Return Of Bassist JANIS TANAKA Following JENNIFER FINCH's Death

L7 has announced the return of bassist Janis Tanaka to the group's ranks following the recent passing of Jennifer Finch.

The all-female grunge band which rose to prominence in the 1990s will hit the road one final time next month as past of "The Last Hurrah Tour 2026". The trek will kick off in San Diego, California on October 6 and conclude on November 14 in Los Angeles, California.

On Tuesday, September 8, L7 released the following statement via social media: "Although we will miss our Jennifer Finch terribly, she gave her blessing to welcome back L7's bass player Janis Tanaka to replace her.

"Janis was our bass player from 1999-2001 and we are stoked to have her back and rocking with us again. LOOK OUT, she kicks ass!

"Please give Janis a warm welcome back!"

A short time later, L7 returned to social media to thank the band's fans for their "warm and loving comments for Janis. This has been a very difficult time for the band with the loss of Jennifer and we are touched by your kindness and positive vibes," L7 added. "So grateful for you all and can't wait to see you again this fall. MUCH LOVE from Donita, Suzi, and Dee, and our entire L7 family".

Finch died less than two months ago after a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 59 years old.

Jennifer's passing was announced on July 18 by her bandmates. They wrote in a statement on social media: "With a very heavy heart we announce that our beloved bandmate, friend, and fellow troublemaker Jennifer Finch has passed away today. She had a long courageous fight with brain cancer and was loved by many wonderful friends, musical peers and fans worldwide."

They added: "We are shattered by the loss of our beloved bandmate, sister and friend, whose fierce spirit, humor and boundless creativity helped shape L7 and changed all of our lives forever.

"Jennifer was a true original who lived entirely on her own terms, and the impact she made on music, art and everyone lucky enough to know her cannot be measured. We love her beyond words and will carry her with us always.

"Rest in power, our dear friend."

After Finch revealed her cancer diagnosis and dropped out of the band's final tour on July 13, a GoFundMe campaign raised over $375,000 to pay for in-home nursing care, medical equipment, physical and speech therapy, home-care expenses and to help finish a "creative project" that was due in 2027. That project was later revealed to be the memoir "Shooting Up And Making Out: A Memoir Of My Life In LA And L7" by Finch with Jeff Alulis, due on January 19, 2027 via Da Capo, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing (GCP) and the Hachette Book Group.

Several of Finch's music industry peers donated to the GoFundMe campaign, including BAD RELIGION guitarist and Epitaph Records founder Brett Gurewitz and his wife Gina ($10,000),GARBAGE ($8,000),BIKINI KILL singer Kathleen Hanna ($5,000),Sub Pop Records ($5,000),PEARL JAM bassist Jeff Ament ($5,000),GREEN DAY singer Billie Joe Armstrong's wife Adrienne Armstrong ($5,000),TOOL singer Maynard James Keenan ($2,500),Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman ($2,500),KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch ($1,000) and FUGAZI's Guy Picciotto ($1,000).

The legendary feminist rockers have commanded fans to their feet and their ballot box for four decades with an effortless blend of punk ethos, heavy grunge, melody, socio-political anthems and humor.

Formed in 1985, L7 went on indefinite hiatus in 2001. A 2015 reunion tour was followed by the documentary "L7: Pretend We're Dead" in 2016.

L7's first album in 20 years, "Scatter The Rats", was released in May 2019 via Joan Jett's Blackheart Records.

L7's self-titled debut album arrived in 1988. The band's third studio effort, "Bricks Are Heavy", came out in 1992 and, according to Billboard, peaked at No. 160 on the Billboard 200 in September that year; 1994's "Hungry For Stink" reached No. 117; and 1997's "The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum" achieved a No. 172 high. 1992 single "Pretend We're Dead" reached the No. 8 peak on the Alternative Airplay chart, while "Andres" off "Hungry For Stink" reached No. 20.

Several of L7's songs were featured on movie soundtracks, including "Shitlist" on both "Pet Semetary 2" and "Natural Born Killers", and "Shove" on "Tank Girl".