L7’s legendary career has been fueled by their incredible fans for more than two decades. The American grunge-punk icons’ creative reunion was initially ignited by an outpouring of encouragement and support on social media when the band hinted at the idea of a documentary in early 2015. Thrilled to give back directly to their fans, the band set out to fund their first album in 20 years, Scatter The Rats, with the now defunct Pledge Music. Today, the band has shared their official statement about the fiasco and offer a huge thanks to their fans’ support and patience as well as to Blackheart Records for stepping in to make it all possible.
“To give a brief summary for those not familiar with the Pledge Music scam, in a nutshell, the funds that many bands and their supporters raised through the crowdfunding platform were absconded by the company with zero accountability and unreturned legal appeals. Their site is no longer live and they are filing for bankruptcy protection in the U.K.
As bad as it is, the band nonetheless has made the financial decision to honor our fans who pre-ordered the album through Pledge Music, and which they have yet to receive. Thanks to Joan Jett and Blackheart Records, L7 was able to manufacture and ship what would have been utterly impossible without their support. Pledge Music has held over twenty thousand dollars in shipping costs alone that we have no access to and will likely never see. However, L7 has made the financial commitment to honor these mailings.”
The band declares “From the Borough of Brooklyn to the shores of Peru, every Pledger who paid for the record please take note, the music is on its way!” In addition to mailing the records to backers, the band has announced a special “Willy Wonka” style giveaway! With the help from Blackheart Records and Gibson Guitars one backer will find a GOLDEN TICKET in their record/cd sleeve to receive Donita’s iconic Gibson Flying V guitar, signed and played on stage during the Scatter the Rats Tour!
The band also shares the new “Holding Pattern” video today (directed by Rob Sheridan), stating: “Although our song “Holding Pattern” is not about this lousy experience with Pledge Music, we believe that we can all relate to its inspiration of being caught in a disheartening loop of stagnation in one way or another.”
L7 have released Scatter The Rats, their blistering 1st new album in 20 years on Blackheart Records. Armed with lyrical daggers, rib-rattling chops, the record has been positively received from fans and critics alike. It has had accolades from The New York Times, NPR Weekend Edition, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, DAZED, Los Angeles Times, Alternative Press, Revolver, Forbes, Kerrang!, Flaunt, Modern Drummer and many more.
