Pennywise is an American
punk rock band from
Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band took its name from the antagonist in
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...
's horror novel ''
It'' known as
Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
Between their 1991
self-titled debut and 2005's ''
The Fuse'', Pennywise released an album every two years on
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo ba ...
, a label owned by
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. The band's lyrics cover topics related to religion, politics, society, the media and science. Musically, they are noted for their melodic sensibilitie ...
guitarist
Brett Gurewitz. To date, the band has released twelve full-length
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records c ...
s, one
live album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records c ...
, two
EPs and one DVD. Although their first two studio albums were critically acclaimed, Pennywise would not experience worldwide commercial success until the 1995 release of their third studio album, ''
About Time'', which peaked at number ninety-six on the
Billboard 200
The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine and is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of ar ...
, and number fifty-five on Australia's
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 songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...
. The band's mainstream success coincided with a growing interest in punk rock during the 1990s, along with fellow California bands
NOFX
NOFX () is an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. Vocalist/bassist Fat Mike, guitarist Eric Melvin and drummer Erik Sandin are original founding and longest-serving members of the band, who have appeared on ever ...
,
Rancid,
Blink-182
Blink-182 (stylized as blink-182) is an American rock band formed in Poway, California in 1992. Their current lineup consists of bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Though their sound has ...
,
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. The band's lyrics cover topics related to religion, politics, society, the media and science. Musically, they are noted for their melodic sensibilitie ...
,
Green Day
Green Day is an American rock band formed in the East Bay of California in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, together with bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt. For most of the band's career, they have been a ...
,
The Offspring,
Lagwagon and
Sublime. By 2007, the band had independently sold over three million records worldwide.
Pennywise's current line-up consists of
Jim Lindberg (vocals), Fletcher Dragge (guitars),
Randy Bradbury (bass) and Byron McMackin (drums). They had kept their original line-up together until bassist
Jason Thirsk
Jason Matthew Thirsk (December 25, 1967 – July 29, 1996) was the bass player of the California punk rock band Pennywise from 1988 through his death in 1996. He grew up in Hermosa Beach, California.
Pennywise was formed in 1988 by Thirsk alon ...
died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1996, due to issues with his alcoholism, after which Bradbury joined as his replacement. In August 2009, Lindberg decided to leave the band; he was replaced in February 2010 by
Ignite
To ignite is the first step of firelighting.
Ignite may also refer to:
Music
*Ignite (band), a melodic hardcore band from Orange County, California
* ''Ignite'' (Econoline Crush album), 2007
* ''Ignite'' (Shihad album), 2010
* "Ignite" (Eir Aoi s ...
singer
Zoli Téglás.
["Pennywise officially names Zoli Teglas of Ignite as new vocalist."](_blank)
Punknews.org. February 16, 2010. With Téglás, the band recorded their tenth studio album ''
All or Nothing
All or Nothing may refer to:
Film and television
* ''All or Nothing'' (film), a 2002 film by Mike Leigh
* ''All or Nothing'' (game show), a 2004–2005 Russian game show based on ''Deal or No Deal''
* ''All or Nothing'' (sports docuseries), ...
'', which was released on May 1, 2012.
Lindberg rejoined the band later that year after Téglás was sidelined by a back injury.
Band history
Early years (1988–1992)
Pennywise was formed in 1988 in
Manhattan Beach, California
Manhattan Beach is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, United States, on the Pacific coast south of El Segundo, west of Hawthorne and Redondo Beach, and north of Hermosa Beach. As of the 2010 census, the population was 3 ...
, 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, except for McMackin, who attended Redondo Union High School.
The group signed to
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo ba ...
in 1990 and released their first album ''
Pennywise'' (1991). The album quickly circulated throughout the punk community, earning the band some nationwide recognition. Lyrics in the album endorsed a positive mental attitude, helping promote progressive ideals for
Generation X
Generation X (or Gen X for short) is the Western demographic cohort following the baby boomers and preceding the millennials. Researchers and popular media use the mid-to-late 1960s as starting birth years and the late 1970s to early 1980s ...
. Lindberg left the band soon after the debut record. In 1992,
The Vandals
The Vandals are an American punk rock band, established in 1980 in Orange County, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums, two live albums, and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped ...
lead singer Dave Quackenbush took over on vocals for a brief stint to help with touring. 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
''Unknown Road'' is the second studio album by American punk rock band Pennywise, released on August 17, 1993, through Epitaph Records. After frontman Jim Lindberg briefly left the band during touring in support of its previous album, '' Pennywi ...
'', released in August 1993, an underground hit that established the band as a force in punk music. While the album did not chart on the Billboard 200, it gained Pennywise supporting slots on national and world tours with bands such as
The Offspring. It contained 13 tracks and one hidden track, "Slowdown".
''
About Time'', Pennywise's third studio album, was released on June 13, 1995. It was their first album to chart on the Billboard 200, ranking 96. It also charted 55 on the Australian Album Chart, and produced one single "Same Old Story". This was also the last album to feature Jason Thirsk playing bass throughout.
In 1996, Pennywise began recording their fourth album. Thirsk left the band in an attempt to conquer his alcoholism. While initially successful, he relapsed and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest on July 29, 1996. Their following album, ''Full Circle'', was dedicated to his memory.
New bassist and continued popularity (1996–2002)
Following Thirsk's death, Bradbury rejoined the band as bassist and recorded their next album, ''
Full Circle'' (1997). Despite the loss of the band's friend and bassist, the album came out several months after Thirsk's death and was dedicated in his honor. In tribute of Thirsk, the band re-recorded a song from their first album "
Bro-Hymn" and renamed it "Bro-Hymn (tribute)". The album artwork of ''
Full Circle'' resembles the cover art from their first album.
The band's next album ''
Straight Ahead'' was released in 1999. The album reached 62 on the Billboard 200, and 8 on the ''Australian Albums Chart''. The album produced 2 singles; "Alien", which reached 36 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks & "Victim of Reality". An 18th track was released only in Australia and New Zealand, a cover of the
Men at Work
Men at Work are an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1978 and best known for breakthrough hits such as " Down Under", "Who Can It Be Now?", " Be Good Johnny", " Overkill", and " It's a Mistake". Its founding member and frontman is C ...
song "
Down Under
The term ''Down Under'' is a colloquialism which is differently construed to refer to Australia and New Zealand, or Pacific Island countries collectively.Oxford English Dictionary (Electronic), Version 4.0, entry fordown under. The dictionary r ...
." The band ran into trouble while promoting their 1999 performance at
KROQ
KROQ-FM (106.7 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format known as "The World Famous KROQ" (pronounced "kay-rock").
The st ...
's Weenie Roast on the
Loveline
''Loveline'' is a syndicated radio call-in program in North America, offering medical and relationship advice to listeners, often with the assistance of guests, typically actors and musicians. Its host through most of its run was Dr. Drew Pin ...
radio show when an intoxicated Dragge held bandmate Bradbury and hosts
Adam Carolla and
Dr. Drew
David Drew Pinsky (born September 4, 1958), commonly known as Dr. Drew, is an American media personality, internist, and addiction medicine specialist. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio talk show ''Loveline'' from the show's incepti ...
hostage in the studio by barricading the door with his 6-foot 5-inch, 300 pound body. The guitarist then said he was going to defecate into his hand and make Carolla eat it, threatened the hosts' lives, and claimed to have a hand grenade, but didn't. Police were called, but charges were not filed.
A live album, ''
Live @ the Key Club'' was released in 2000. It contained songs from all their previous albums. ''
Land of the Free?
''Land of the Free?'' is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Pennywise. Produced by Joe Barresi, the album was released on June 19, 2001. After the commercial success of their previous album, '' Straight Ahead'', Pennywise entered ...
'' was released in 2001 and ranked 67 on the Billboard 200 and number 21 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart. The song "Who's on Your Side" was co-written by
Brett Gurewitz (also known as Mr. Brett), a guitarist and songwriter for
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. The band's lyrics cover topics related to religion, politics, society, the media and science. Musically, they are noted for their melodic sensibilitie ...
. That year the band took part in the Vans Warped 2001 tour.
''From the Ashes'' and ''The Fuse'' (2003–2006)
![Pennywise - Rock in Idro 03-09-06](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Pennywise_-_Rock_in_Idro_03-09-06.jpg)
''
From the Ashes'' was released on September 9, 2003 (United States), and reached number 54 on the Billboard 200, number 4 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and 13 Australian Albums Chart, marking the highest initial charting album in Pennywise's career. The album contained 14 tracks and retained no singles, although the song "Yesterdays" saw regular radio play on some stations.
''
Home Movies'', the band's long-out of print 1995 VHS, was released on DVD for the first time in 2004. 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 album retained 15 tracks and charted number 36 on the Australian ARIA Album Charts. The band's Australian tour was canceled leading to breakup rumors, which Lindberg denied. Also that year, digitally-remastered versions of the first four studio albums were released.
Around 2006, Pennywise recorded a cover of
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band formed in 1986 in Queens, New York City. The band's lineup consists of brothers Lou and Pete Koller on lead vocals and guitars respectively, Armand Majidi on drums, and Craig Setari on bass. Sick ...
's "My Life" for the band's 2007 tribute album ''
Our Impact Will Be Felt''. Pennywise were one of many bands to contribute to the tribute.
''Reason to Believe'' and split with Lindberg (2007–2009)
The band returned to the studio in 2007 to begin work on their ninth album, ''
Reason to Believe
"Reason to Believe" is a song written, composed, and first recorded by American folk singer Tim Hardin in 1965. It has since been recorded by artists including Bobby Darin in 1966, Karen Dalton also in 1966, Glen Campbell in 1968, the Nitty Gritty ...
'' which was released on March 25, 2008. The album did not do well on the Billboard chart, but this was largely because the album was offered as a free download on
Myspace, where over 400,000 copies were downloaded, making it one of their most successful albums. It peaked at No. 98 in the United States on the Billboard 200, and No. 46 in Australia on the
ARIA Albums Chart
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 songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...
. ''Reason to Believe'' did retain three singles, "The Western World", "Die For You", and "One reason".
In August 2009, Jim Lindberg announced he was leaving the band. By the time Lindberg left the group, Pennywise had begun writing new material for a tenth studio album. After the departure Lindberg formed the band
The Black Pacific
The Black Pacific was a punk rock music project that was started in 2010 by Jim Lindberg, the vocalist of Pennywise, and two previously unknown members, Alan Vega (drums) and Davey Latter (bass). They were signed to SideOneDummy Records and the ...
.
Zoli Téglás and ''All or Nothing'' (2009–2012)
Zoli Téglás, frontman for OC hardcore/punk band
Ignite
To ignite is the first step of firelighting.
Ignite may also refer to:
Music
*Ignite (band), a melodic hardcore band from Orange County, California
* ''Ignite'' (Econoline Crush album), 2007
* ''Ignite'' (Shihad album), 2010
* "Ignite" (Eir Aoi s ...
, previously filled in on vocals during the band's set on the 2009 Smokeout Festival, while Lindberg was filming a documentary,
The Other F Word
''The Other F Word'' is a 2011 American documentary film directed by independent filmmaker Andrea Blaugrund Nevins. The film explores the world of aging punk rock musicians, as they transition into parents and try to maintain the contrast between ...
, based on his book, ''Punk Rock Dad: No Rules, Just Real Life''.
It was announced on February 16, 2010 that Téglás would become Jim's permanent replacement.
In an interview with Zoli, he talked about his joining Pennywise and plans for a brand new Pennywise album. Ignite will continue on as a band with Zoli. However, the release of their new album was delayed, partly due to commitments with the 2010
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour was a traveling rock tour that toured the United States plus three or four stops in Canada annually each summer from 1995 until 2019. It was the largest traveling music festival in the United States and the longest-running touri ...
. Guitarist Fletcher Dragge said in a July 2010 that it would be released around the beginning of 2011. The album's release date has since been pushed back again. On October 19, 2011, Pennywise announced on their Twitter page that they had begun work on their new album. On March 7, 2012, the band released the song "All or Nothing" from the
album with the same title on
KROQ
KROQ-FM (106.7 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format known as "The World Famous KROQ" (pronounced "kay-rock").
The st ...
's website.
Pennywise did a six-date South American tour in December 2010. After that, they toured Europe in January and February 2011, followed by Australia's
Soundwave in February and March and three live dates in Japan in April.
Reunion with Lindberg, ''Yesterdays'', ''Never Gonna Die'' and next album (2012–present)
Téglás injured his back during a June 2012 concert in Germany, requiring emergency surgery.
Pennywise was forced to cancel all touring activity for the year to allow the singer to heal.
However, Téglás wanted to leave the band and had been in touch with Lindberg, asking him to rejoin.
In an appearance on
KROQ-FM that October, Dragge and Lindberg announced Lindberg's return, to be celebrated with a January 2013 show at the
Hollywood Palladium
The Hollywood Palladium is a theater located at 6215 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. It was built in a Streamline Moderne, Art Deco style and includes an dance floor including a mezzanine and a floor level with room for up to 4,000 ...
commemorating the band's 25th anniversary.
Lindberg's return was at a South American Festival Tour, that started November 4 in São Paulo, Brazil.
As early as 2013, Pennywise began work on their eleventh studio album ''
Yesterdays'', which was released on July 15, 2014, and is the band's first with Lindberg on vocals since 2008's ''
Reason to Believe
"Reason to Believe" is a song written, composed, and first recorded by American folk singer Tim Hardin in 1965. It has since been recorded by artists including Bobby Darin in 1966, Karen Dalton also in 1966, Glen Campbell in 1968, the Nitty Gritty ...
''. Although ''Yesterdays'' is considered to be a proper studio album, it is a compilation of never-before released songs written by Pennywise's original bassist
Jason Thirsk
Jason Matthew Thirsk (December 25, 1967 – July 29, 1996) was the bass player of the California punk rock band Pennywise from 1988 through his death in 1996. He grew up in Hermosa Beach, California.
Pennywise was formed in 1988 by Thirsk alon ...
, and includes re-recordings of two songs "No Way Out" and "Slowdown". To support ''Yesterdays'', Pennywise embarked on the Summer Nationals 2014 from July to September, with support from
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. The band's lyrics cover topics related to religion, politics, society, the media and science. Musically, they are noted for their melodic sensibilitie ...
,
The Offspring,
The Vandals
The Vandals are an American punk rock band, established in 1980 in Orange County, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums, two live albums, and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped ...
,
Stiff Little Fingers
Stiff Little Fingers are a punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They formed in 1977 at the height of the Troubles, which informed much of their songwriting. They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star (named after the De ...
and
Naked Raygun
Naked Raygun was one of the first, one of the longest running, and one of the most recognized Chicago punk bands. They are considered by many to be the most important band in the history of Chicago punk rock and credited with creating “the Chi ...
. The band also plans to release a box set.
As early as 2016, Pennywise began working on their twelfth studio album. In an October 2017 interview, Lindberg confirmed that Pennywise had finished recording their twelfth studio album, which was expected to be released in early 2018. On March 6, 2018, the band announced that the album, titled ''Never Gonna Die'', would be released on April 20.
As of June 2020, Pennywise has been working on a new album.
Musical style and lyrics
Pennywise has been described as
punk rock,
skate punk
Skate punk (also known as skatecore and skate rock) is a skater subculture and punk rock subgenre that developed in the 1980s. Originally a form of hardcore punk that had been closely associated with skate culture, skate punk evolved into a mo ...
and
melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a broadly defined subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on melody in its guitar work. It generally incorporates fast rhythms, melodic and often distorted guitar riffs, and vocal styles tending towards shouting and ...
.
Pennywise's songs and lyrics tend to focus on themes such as positive mental attitude, as well as political and social events that the band finds wrong or disagreeable.
Top Skater
Pennywise's music was featured in the 1997
SEGA arcade game ''
Top Skater''.
Discography
Studio albums
* ''
Pennywise'' (1991)
* ''
Unknown Road
''Unknown Road'' is the second studio album by American punk rock band Pennywise, released on August 17, 1993, through Epitaph Records. After frontman Jim Lindberg briefly left the band during touring in support of its previous album, '' Pennywi ...
'' (1993)
* ''
About Time'' (1995)
* ''
Full Circle'' (1997)
* ''
Straight Ahead'' (1999)
* ''
Land of the Free?
''Land of the Free?'' is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Pennywise. Produced by Joe Barresi, the album was released on June 19, 2001. After the commercial success of their previous album, '' Straight Ahead'', Pennywise entered ...
'' (2001)
* ''
From the Ashes'' (2003)
* ''
The Fuse'' (2005)
* ''
Reason to Believe
"Reason to Believe" is a song written, composed, and first recorded by American folk singer Tim Hardin in 1965. It has since been recorded by artists including Bobby Darin in 1966, Karen Dalton also in 1966, Glen Campbell in 1968, the Nitty Gritty ...
'' (2008)
* ''
All or Nothing
All or Nothing may refer to:
Film and television
* ''All or Nothing'' (film), a 2002 film by Mike Leigh
* ''All or Nothing'' (game show), a 2004–2005 Russian game show based on ''Deal or No Deal''
* ''All or Nothing'' (sports docuseries), ...
'' (2012)
* ''
Yesterdays'' (2014)
* ''
Never Gonna Die
''Never Gonna Die'' is the twelfth studio album by the American punk rock band Pennywise, which was released on April 20, 2018.
Track listing
Personnel
Pennywise
* Jim Lindberg – vocals
* Fletcher Dragge – guitar
* Randy Bradbury – bas ...
'' (2018)
Band members
;Current members
*
Jim Lindberg – lead vocals
(1988–2009, 2012–present)
*Fletcher Dragge – guitar, backing vocals
(1988–present)
*
Randy Bradbury – bass, backing vocals
(1996–present)
*Byron McMackin – drums, backing vocals
(1988–present)
;Former members
*
Jason Thirsk
Jason Matthew Thirsk (December 25, 1967 – July 29, 1996) was the bass player of the California punk rock band Pennywise from 1988 through his death in 1996. He grew up in Hermosa Beach, California.
Pennywise was formed in 1988 by Thirsk alon ...
– bass, backing vocals
(1988–1996; his death)
*
Zoli Téglás – lead vocals
(2010–2012)
Timeline
References
External links
Official website*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pennywise
Epitaph Records artists
Musical groups established in 1988
1988 establishments in California
Musical groups from Los Angeles
Punk rock groups from California
Skate punk groups
Melodic hardcore musical groups from California
American punk rock groups