Pennywise is an American punk rock band that was formed in 1988, and is named after the monster It from the Stephen King novel, It.
Since Pennywise's 1991 self-titled debut, the band had released an album every two years on Epitaph Records, a label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. To date, Pennywise have released eight full-length studio albums, one live album, two EPs and one DVD. A new album, Reason To Believe, will be released on March 25, 2008 free through MySpace, and in stores through Epitaph.
Pennywise have had their current line-up, consisting of Jim Lindberg (vocals), Fletcher Dragge (guitars), Randy Bradbury (bass) and Byron McMackin (drums), since 1996. The band kept their original line-up until former bassist Jason Thirsk committed suicide in 1996, after which Bradbury joined as his replacement.
Biography
Early career (1988-1992)
Pennywise were formed in 1988 in Hermosa Beach, California by singer Jim Lindberg, guitarist Fletcher Dragge, drummer Byron McMackin and bassist Jason Thirsk. To date, this line-up is considered a classic. 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 the same 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. Thirsk took his place on vocals and Randy Bradbury stepped in on bass. The Vandals lead singer Dave Quackenbush took over on vocals for a brief stint in 1992 when Thirsk returned to bass.
Increasing popularity and aftermath of Thirsk's death (1993-2003)
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 The Offspring, Green Day 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.
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).
Recent history (2004-present)
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 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.
Pennywise recently recorded a cover of Sick of It All's "My Life" for the band's tribute album Our Impact Will Be Felt.
The band has been in the studio recording their ninth album, Reason to Believe, which is due for release on March 25, 2008. In a interview with Fletcher, the band had written nearly 60 songs and are currently trying to decide which ones to record for their new album.
In November 2007, it was revealed that the band would release their next album for free through a partnership between MySpace, and Textango, a mobile music distributor . In addition the album would be for sale in stores through MySpace Records in the United States and Epitaph in Europe.
Members
Pennywise has had numerous line-up changes, Fletcher Dragge and Byron McMackin are the only two constant members.{| class="toccolours" border=2 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2;"
! bgcolor="gainsboro" | Dates & releases
! bgcolor="gainsboro" | Members & prominent instruments
! bgcolor="gainsboro" | Notes
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | (1988-1991)
A Word from the Wise,
Wildcard and
Pennywise
- Jim Lindberg - vocals
- Fletcher Dragge - guitars
- Jason Thirsk - bass
- Byron McMackin - drums
- First line-up of Pennywise.
- The classic Pennywise line-up.
- Jason Thirsk - vocals
- Fletcher Dragge - guitars
- Randy Bradbury - bass
- Byron McMackin - drums
- Dave Quackenbush - vocals
- Fletcher Dragge - guitars
- Jason Thirsk - bass
- Byron McMackin - drums
Unknown Road and
About Time
- Jim Lindberg - vocals
- Fletcher Dragge - guitars
- Jason Thirsk - bass
- Byron McMackin - drums
- The classic Pennywise line-up.
- Although not yet credited as a member of the band, Bradbury contributed some tracks on the Unknown Road album.
Full Circle,
Straight Ahead,
Live @ the Key Club,
Land of the Free,
From the Ashes,
The Fuse and
Reason To Believe
- Jim Lindberg - vocals
- Fletcher Dragge - guitars
- Randy Bradbury - bass
- Byron McMackin - drums
- 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.
Trivia
- The band rerecorded the song "Bro Hymn" from their self titled LP as a tribute to fallen friends Carlos Canton, Tim Colvin, and Tom Nichols. It was released on the Full Circle LP as "Bro Hymn Tribute" to serve as a tribute to band mate Jason Thirsk who took his own life. The new version features Thirsk's little brother Justin, drummer for 98 Mute, singing one of the verses, in which he says "Jason, my brother, this one's for you!" At 3:25 of the track he takes over and finishes the drumming. The band plays this song at the end of each show, and encourage everybody in the crowd to come on stage.
- "Bro Hymn" is the official goal song of the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks, and is played after each home goal. When the Ducks won the Stanley Cup, the band played at the celebration as the Ducks took the stage.
- The National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers followed suit in the use of "Bro Hymn" for the 2007/08 season.
- "Bro Hymn" is also the official goal song of the famous German soccer club VfB Stuttgart since the 06/07 season and is played after each home goal.
- "Bro Hymn" is also the official goal song of the Holland soccer club Vitesse
- "Bro Hymn" is also the official goal song of the United Hockey League's Bloomington Prairie Thunder since their inaugural season (06/07), and is played after every home goal.
- A fan of the band, German Cervantes, asked his now wife to marry him on stage in San Diego on November 17, 2001