Grunge queens, L7 have put their distortion-buzzed spin on Joan Jett’s 1983 single, “Fake Friends” and decided to invite her to the party. Their snarling take on the song features Jett on backing vocals and guitar, while L7 frontwoman Donita Sparks takes on the lead vocals. Watch the official lyric video below: 

L7 | “Fake Friends” [feat. Joan Jett]

“To have Joan’s vocals on this track along with mine is super surreal and cool,” Sparks said in a statement. “Our band has experienced many fake friends, especially when you’re down. Some of these people you thought were your friends are nowhere to be found. Your phone calls aren’t returned, etc. It’s painful and it sucks. Then you find out who your true friends are.”

L7 paired the release with an updated version of their own track, “Burn Baby,” from last year’s Scatter the Rats album, which they have  dubbed “Witchy Burn.” Listen below:

The two tracks were originally intended to celebrate the start of L7’s Australia and New Zealand that was planned for May. However, the band decided to drop the tracks earlier for fan’s entertainment, after the tours were cancelled amidst the global pandemic.

“When the tour got canceled due to this horrible virus, we decided to release the tracks as a way to keep our fans’ spirits up a bit, as well as our own,” Sparks added. “New material gets everyone excited and happy and maybe gets them dancing around their cribs. That’s something positive the band can do for our fans in these uncertain times. When rock and roll duty calls, L7 answers.”

Joan Jett recently joined the current socially-distanced covers movement with a version of the Bruce Springsteen penned "Light of Day" which she performed remotely with her band the Blackhearts. Check it out here. 

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