L7’s Fast and Frightening Takeover is the eclectic punk rock festival you’ve been waiting for

Los Angeles art-punk veterans L7 have seen it all, from playing Raji’s in Hollywood in the ’80s, to the grunge circuit in the ’90s, to huge punk and metal festivals all over the world. “It’s called Fast and Frightening because that’s the kind of bands that I wanted,” Sparks said. It’s cool to have L7 take the lead and mix it up.” Once word got out about the festival, bands started contacting Sparks and offering to play, but “I really wanted that powerhouse second band,” Sparks said. “We’re from the art punk scene,” Sparks said of L7’s do-it-yourself origins. “It’s almost like a Lou Man Group reunion.” The Fast and Frightening Takeover has been in the works for a long time and draws heavily from L7’s experiences playing a wide range of fairs and festivals — both around the world and right here in L.A. “We’ve been asked to do these boutique festivals, and they’re not big, all-day things,” Sparks said.