Pennywise is an American
punk rock band from Hermosa Beach,
California
, formed in 1988. Their band name is derived
from the monster,
It from the
Stephen King novel,
of
the same title.
Between their 1991
self-titled
debut and 2005's
The Fuse,
Pennywise had released an album every two years on
Epitaph Records, a label owned by
Bad Religion guitarist
Brett Gurewitz. To date, Pennywise has
released nine full-length
studio
albums, one
live album, two
EPs and one
DVD. Their most
recent studio album is 2008's
Reason to Believe,
which was released for free through a partnership between
MySpace and
Textango, a
mobile music distributor. The album was also sold in stores through
MySpace Records in the United States and Epitaph in Europe.
Pennywise's line-up, which remained constant from 1996 to 2009,
consisted of
Jim Lindberg (vocals),
Fletcher Dragge (guitars),
Randy Bradbury (bass) and
Byron McMackin (drums). They kept their
original line-up until original bassist
Jason Thirsk committed suicide in 1996, due to
issues with his alcoholism, after which Bradbury joined as his
replacement. In August 2009, Lindberg decided to leave the band,
and there have been no announcements yet who will be the new
singer.
Biography
Early career (1988-1992)
Pennywise
was formed in 1988 in Hermosa Beach, California
, by singer Jim
Lindberg, guitarist Fletcher
Dragge, drummer Byron McMackin
and bassist Jason Thirsk. They
released two EPs
A Word from
the Wise and
Wildcard (both 1989). Each of
the band members had played in other bands in the Hermosa Beach
area and attended
Mira Costa High
School.
The group signed to
Epitaph Records
in 1990 and released their first album
Pennywise (1991). The album quickly
spread throughout the punk community, earning the band some
nation-wide recognition. Lyrics in the album endorsed a positive
mental attitude, helping promote progressive ideals for
Generation X. Lindberg left the band soon after
the debut record. Bass player
Randy
Bradbury joined the lineup as Thirsk took over lead vocal
duties. In 1992,
The Vandals lead singer
Dave Quackenbush took over on vocals for a brief stint. Bradbury
left the band and Thirsk returned to bass.
Increasing popularity and Thirsk's death (1993-1996)
Lindberg got married and returned to the group in 1992 in time for
their second album
Unknown
Road (1993), an underground hit that established the band
as a force in punk music. By 1995, punk bands
Green Day,
The
Offspring and
Rancid hit the
mainstream and Pennywise refused invitations to join several major
labels.
About
Time (1995) was another indie hit.
In 1996, Pennywise began recording their fourth album. Thirsk left
the band in an attempt to conquer alcoholism. He was successful but
relapsed and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest
on
July 29,
1996.
Aftermath of Thirsk's death (1996-2008)
Following Thirsk's death, Bradbury rejoined the band and recorded
their next two albums,
Full Circle (1997) and
Straight
Ahead (1999). This was followed by a live album,
Live at the Key Club
(2000), as well as
Land of the
Free? (2001) and
From the
Ashes (2003).
Home Movies, the band's
only video, was re-released on
DVD for the first
time in 2004. The video was originally released in 1995 and had
been out of print since 1997. More footage of Pennywise can be seen
on the Steve Martin film 45 Revolutions: A Slice of XVI St. Life,
XVI St. being the place where Jason and Fletcher hung out in
Hermosa Beach.
The band's eighth album,
The Fuse,
was released in
Europe on
June 27 and in
North
America on
August 9,
2005. The band's Australian tour was cancelled leading
to breakup rumors, which Lindberg denied. Also that year,
digitally-remastered versions of the first four studio albums were
released.
Around 2006, Pennywise recently recorded a cover of
Sick of It All's "My Life" for the band's
2007 tribute album
Our
Impact Will Be Felt.
The band returned to the studio in 2007 to begin work on their
ninth album,
Reason to Believe,
which was released on
March 25,
2008. In addition the album would be for sale in stores
through MySpace Records in the United States and Epitaph in
Europe.
In 2007, while on the
Vans Warped
Tour, the band autographed a
Gibson
Guitar for the non-profit
Music
Saves Lives and assisted in their goal of raising the nation's
blood supply.
The Spring 2009 line-up of the
Jägermeister Music Tour will
feature Pennywise, with reggae rockers
Pepper.
Split with Lindberg (2009-present)
In August 2009, Jim Lindberg announced he was leaving the band.
Lindberg released the following statement:
The band has not yet found a permanent replacement for their lead
singer, but Zoli Teglas, front man for OC hardcore/punk band
Ignite will be filling in on vocals
during the band’s set on the 2009 Smokeout Festival. Lindberg is
currently filming a documentary based on his book,
Punk Rock
Dad: No Rules, Just Real Life and is planning on recording an
album soon.
By the time Lindberg left the group, Pennywise had begun writing
new material for a tenth studio album, but according to bassist
Randy Bradbury, they have no plans to
return to the studio any time soon.
In September 2009, BYO Records will release a compilation entitled
"Let Them Know - The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records". This
compilation will include Pennywise's cover of "We're Gonna Fight",
by 7 Seconds. This was the final song Jim recorded with
Pennywise.
Discography
Members
Pennywise have had numerous line-up changes,
Fletcher Dragge and
Byron McMackin are the only two constant
members.
| Dates & releases |
Members & prominent
instruments |
Notes |
(1988-1991)
A Word from the
Wise,
Wildcard, and
Pennywise |
|
- First line-up of Pennywise.
- The classic Pennywise line-up.
|
| (1991-1992) |
|
|
| (1992) |
|
- Quackenbush filled in for Lindberg while he was on hiatus from
touring.
|
(1992-1995)
Unknown Road and
About
Time |
|
- The classic Pennywise line-up.
- Although not yet credited as a member of the band, Bradbury
contributed some tracks on the Unknown Road album.
|
(1995-2009)
Full
Circle,
Straight
Ahead,
Live @ the Key
Club,
Land of the Free?,
From the Ashes,
The Fuse, and
Reason to
Believe |
|
- Randy joined the group in October 1995 when Jason was on hiatus
to visit rehab.
- Prior to Jason's suicide, Randy was supposed to switch to
rhythm guitar when Jason returned, but this never happened. Thus,
Randy became the band's permanent bass player.
|
(2009-present)
|
|
- Singer Jim Lindberg announced his departure from the band in
August 2009. September 2nd, 2009 the remaining 3 members announced
they will be temporarily replacing Jim with Zoli Téglás of the band
Ignite while they continue their search for a permanent
replacement. No news of who will be his permanent replacement has
been announced.
|
In popular culture
"Bro Hymn"
"Bro Hymn" is the theme for many sports teams around the
world:
Video game appearances
Pennywise's music has also been featured in numerous video
games.
In other media
- "No Reason Why", "Fun And Games", and "Living for Today" in
Pennywise were featured in skate film Plan B Skateboards
- "Get a Life" is featured in the BMX video
Chaingang
- Gabba artist DJ Paul Elstak with Teenage Warning used the
chant from "Bro Hymn" in a song called "Brohymn (This One's For
You)"
References
- Home
Movies hosted on Vimeo
- Punknews.org | Pennywise: "Something to Live For"
- [1]
- "Vocalist Jim Lindberg leaves Pennywise."
Punknews.org.
August 21, 2009.
- "Pennywise frontman leaves group." Altpress.com.
August 21, 2009.
- "Pennywise writing next album." Punknews.org. June 2,
2009.
- "Let Them Know - The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO
Records." Let Them Know The Movie September 7, 2009.
External links
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