Bricks Are Heavy
Encyclopedia
Bricks Are Heavy is the third album by the Los Angeles
band L7
, released in April 1992 through Slash Records
. Backed by the single "Pretend We're Dead", the album became a breakthrough hit and the band became the "poster girls" of grunge music
.
The album was released shortly after grunge had broken into the mainstream with the surprise success of Nirvana
's Nevermind
. In July 1992, the song "Pretend We're Dead
" gained popularity among American rock radio stations, where it received regular airplay. By late August, the album had reached #1 on Billboard's
Heatseekers
album chart, and two weeks later it peaked at #160 on the Billboard 200
.
Musically the album is heavier and dirtier than the band's previous recordings. While the band retained its punk
and hardcore punk
roots, there was more emphasis on heavy metal
than before. It was produced by Butch Vig
, who is renowned for his work with bands such as Nirvana
, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth
, and later Garbage
.
Singles
and Rock Band 2
. It was also featured on the US trailer for the movie Shaun of the Dead
.
The song "Shitlist" was featured in both the 1992 sequel Pet Sematary 2 and Oliver Stone
's 1994 film Natural Born Killers
and its soundtrack
. The song is/was used by professional wrestlers Jon Moxley
in CZW, and Brian Pillman
in ECW
.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
band L7
L7 (band)
L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
, released in April 1992 through Slash Records
Slash Records
Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album...
. Backed by the single "Pretend We're Dead", the album became a breakthrough hit and the band became the "poster girls" of grunge music
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
.
The album was released shortly after grunge had broken into the mainstream with the surprise success of Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's Nevermind
Nevermind
Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records...
. In July 1992, the song "Pretend We're Dead
Pretend We're Dead
"Pretend We're Dead" is a 1992 song by all-female grunge band L7, from the album Bricks Are Heavy. The song was written and sung by Donita Sparks. The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. The song is also featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Rock Band 2...
" gained popularity among American rock radio stations, where it received regular airplay. By late August, the album had reached #1 on Billboard's
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
album chart, and two weeks later it peaked at #160 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
Musically the album is heavier and dirtier than the band's previous recordings. While the band retained its punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
roots, there was more emphasis on heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
than before. It was produced by Butch Vig
Butch Vig
Butch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
, who is renowned for his work with bands such as Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, and later Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
.
Track listing
- "Wargasm" (SparksDonita SparksDonita Sparks is a vocalist, guitarist and song-writer in Los Angeles, California. In addition to performing with her most recent band Donita Sparks and The Stellar Moments, she is also the co-founder, along with Suzi Gardner, of grunge band L7...
) – 2:40 - "Scrap" (Sparks, GurewitzBrett GurewitzBrett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
) – 2:53 - "Pretend We're DeadPretend We're Dead"Pretend We're Dead" is a 1992 song by all-female grunge band L7, from the album Bricks Are Heavy. The song was written and sung by Donita Sparks. The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. The song is also featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Rock Band 2...
" (Sparks) – 3:53 - "Diet Pill" (Sparks) – 4:21
- "Everglade" (FinchJennifer FinchJennifer Finch , born August 5, 1966, is an American photographer and musician, notable for her involvement in the all-female punk rock group L7.-Music:...
, Ray) – 3:18 - "Slide" (GardnerSuzi GardnerSuzanne "Suzi" Gardner is an American musician most notable for being a guitarist and vocalist of L7, an all-female grunge band in the 1990s. Before playing with L7, Suzi wrote for LA Weekly. She co-founded the group together with Donita Sparks...
, Sparks) – 3:37 - "One More Thing" (Finch) – 4:07
- "Mr. Integrity" (Sparks) – 4:06
- "Monster" (Gardner) – 2:56
- "Shitlist" (Sparks) – 2:55
- "This Ain't Pleasure" (Gardner, Caivano) – 2:42
Personnel
- Donita SparksDonita SparksDonita Sparks is a vocalist, guitarist and song-writer in Los Angeles, California. In addition to performing with her most recent band Donita Sparks and The Stellar Moments, she is also the co-founder, along with Suzi Gardner, of grunge band L7...
- GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 10 - Suzi GardnerSuzi GardnerSuzanne "Suzi" Gardner is an American musician most notable for being a guitarist and vocalist of L7, an all-female grunge band in the 1990s. Before playing with L7, Suzi wrote for LA Weekly. She co-founded the group together with Donita Sparks...
- Guitar, lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
on tracks 6, 9 and 11 - Jennifer FinchJennifer FinchJennifer Finch , born August 5, 1966, is an American photographer and musician, notable for her involvement in the all-female punk rock group L7.-Music:...
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
on tracks 5 and 7 - Demetra PlakasDemetra PlakasDemetra "Dee" Plakas is an American musician, best known for being the drummer in the all-female rock band L7. She was preceded by Roy Koutsky.-Early bands:Plakas joined a punk band called as their drummer...
- DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
on "Pretend We're DeadPretend We're Dead"Pretend We're Dead" is a 1992 song by all-female grunge band L7, from the album Bricks Are Heavy. The song was written and sung by Donita Sparks. The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. The song is also featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Rock Band 2...
"
Additional personnel
- Paul Ryan - BongosBongo drumBongo or bongos are a Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of single-headed, open-ended drums attached to each other. The drums are of different size: the larger drum is called in Spanish the hembra and the smaller the macho...
- Butch VigButch VigButch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
- Producer, engineer, mixing - Howie WeinbergHowie WeinbergHowie Weinberg is a music mastering engineer who has worked with numerous bands.- Career :He has worked at Masterdisk, New York City, since 1977...
- Mastering - Steve MarkerSteve MarkerSteve Marker is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the guitarist of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage.-Early life:...
- Engineer - Mr. Colson - Engineer
- Elizabeth Hale - Art direction
- Jeff Price - Art direction
- Randall Martin - Artwork
- Vicki Berndt - Photography
- Arlan E. Helm - Photography
- Damion Romero - Photography
Chart positions
Album| Chart | Peak | |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
1 | |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
24 | |
| Australian Album Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
47 | |
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
160 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mod |
||||
| 1992 | "Pretend We're Dead Pretend We're Dead "Pretend We're Dead" is a 1992 song by all-female grunge band L7, from the album Bricks Are Heavy. The song was written and sung by Donita Sparks. The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. The song is also featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Rock Band 2... " |
8 | 50 | 21 |
| "Everglade" | — | — | 27 | |
| "Monster" | — | — | 33 | |
| "—" denotes singles that were released but did not chart. | ||||
Other success
The song "Pretend We're Dead" was featured on the video games Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
and Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
. It was also featured on the US trailer for the movie Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 British zombie comedy directed by Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and written by Pegg and Wright. Pegg plays Shaun, a man attempting to get some kind of focus in his life as he deals with his girlfriend, his mother and stepfather...
.
The song "Shitlist" was featured in both the 1992 sequel Pet Sematary 2 and Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone
William Oliver Stone is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Stone became well known in the late 1980s and the early 1990s for directing a series of films about the Vietnam War, for which he had previously participated as an infantry soldier. His work frequently focuses on...
's 1994 film Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers is a 1994 crime/black comedy film directed by Oliver Stone about two victims of traumatic childhoods who became lovers and psychopathic serial killers, and are irresponsibly glorified by the mass media...
and its soundtrack
Natural Born Killers (soundtrack)
Natural Born Killers is the soundtrack to the film Natural Born Killers, produced by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Reznor reportedly produced the soundtrack using a portable Pro Tools in his hotel room while on tour...
. The song is/was used by professional wrestlers Jon Moxley
Jon Moxley
Jonathan Good is an American professional wrestler known by his ring name Jon Moxley. He is signed to WWE, wrestling in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling , under the ring name Dean Ambrose...
in CZW, and Brian Pillman
Brian Pillman
Brian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling....
in ECW
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
.
Accolades
- Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
: "The Essential Recordings of the 1990s" - The Village VoiceThe Village VoiceThe Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
: "Pazz & JopPazz & JopThe Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics...
1992 Critics Poll: Albums" – #32 - The Village VoiceThe Village VoiceThe Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
: "Pazz & JopPazz & JopThe Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics...
1992 Critics Poll: Singles" – #11 ("Pretend We're Dead")
External links
- [ Album review on Allmusic]