The punk rock duo brought Jennifer Finch on board as bass guitarist and Anne Anderson on drums. Finch, with the strongest Californian roots of the trio, connected the band with an even wider network, including Brett Gurewitz of Epitaph Records where the band recorded their first demo. Their eponymous album, described as "intense, energetic" and "fast straightforward punk music" was released by Epitaph Records in 1987. L7 reported challenges in the early years with finding a suitable, stable drummer. After Anderson left at the end of the tour supporting the "L7" record, Demetra "Dee" Plakas was recruited by the band in late 1987 and became the permanent drummer in 1988.