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::k4:
a r t i s t :: Pennywise
t i t l e :: Pennywise
d a t e :: 1991-00-00
l a b e l :: Epitaph
g e n r e :: Punk Rock
s o u r c e :: CD
b i t r a t e :: 264 kbps avg
e n c o d e r :: LAME 3.98.4 -V0
t r a c k s :: 14
p l a y t i m e :: 31:31
s i z e :: 62.72MB
tracklist
1 Wouldn't It Be Nice 2:06
2 Rules 1:25
3 The Secret 3:33
4 Living For Today 3:07
5 Come Out Fighting 2:16
6 Homeless 2:09
7 Open Door 1:41
8 Pennywise 1:37
9 Who's To Blame 1:35
10 Fun And Games 2:32
11 Kodiak 1:46
12 Side One 2:10
13 No Reason Why 2:36
14 Bro Hymn 2:58
releasenotes
Pennywise were one of the key bands of the punk revival of the '90s. Using
California hardcore as a foundation, the group incorporated funk-metal and
skatepunk into its sound, developing a sound that functioned as edgy,
post-punk frat rock -- it was speedy and occasionally stupidly catchy, with
heavy, propulsive rhythms and positive, optimistic lyrics that stood in
pointed contrast to their grunge-addled peers. Through constant touring and
recording, as well as appearances on surfing and snowboarding concerts and
videos, Pennywise developed a dedicated following among post-hardcore punk
audiences, and were positioned to follow Bad Religion, Green Day, and the
Offspring into the modern rock mainstream, but internal problems, culminating
in the 1996 suicide of founding bassist Jason Thirsk, prevented the band from
being anything larger than a popular cult band in the vein of NOFX.
Jim Lindberg (lead vocals), Fletcher Dragge (guitar), Byron McMackin (drums),
and Jason Thirsk (bass) formed Pennywise in 1988. All of the members attended
the same high school in Hermosa Beach, CA, where they were involved with both
punk rock and surfing. Thirsk had played in a local hardcore band called PMA,
while the other members played with several other groups before the band
actually came together. In 1989, they released their debut EP, A Word from the
Wise on Theologian Records. A local college DJ passed the record to Brett
Gurewitz at Epitaph Records, and he signed the group in 1990. Pennywise's
eponymous full-length debut appeared the following year. Pennywise became a
word-of-mouth hit among the underground punk, surf, and snowboarding
community, and the group headed out on its first national tour.
Six months after the group's debut was released, Lindberg left the group due
to his frustration with the band's lack of motivation and the lack of security
in rock groups. Thirsk moved to vocals and his bass teacher, Randy Bradbury,
filled in on bass. Following his departure, Theologian released the previously
unissued Wildcard EP, backing it with A Word from the Wise on its CD release.
While he was separated from the band, Lindberg married, but decided to rejoin
the group in late 1992. At the time, Pennywise were attempting to record their
second album at the time with Thirsk on vocals, and they were glad to have him
back. During his time off, Pennywise had decided to focus on their career, and
that increased focus was apparent on their second album, 1993's Unknown Road.
Due to constant touring and appearances on snowboarding and surfing videos,
the album sold around 200,000 copies. Before they recorded their third album
in early 1995, Pennywise were courted by several major labels, who approached
the band following the unexpected multi-platinum breakthrough success of Green
Day and the Offspring. The band elected to stay with Epitaph and completed
About Time, which was released in the summer of 1995. About Time became an
indie hit, and the band's live shows became popular attractions. In
particular, Dragge became notorious for vomiting on his audience, most
notoriously on DJ Riki Rachtman at a show for the influential alternative
radio station KROQ, as a veiled protest against the station.
As the band was preparing to record its fourth album in the summer of 1996,
Jason Thirsk took a leave of absence from the group to try to control his
growing alcoholism; Randy Bradbury had again stepped into the bassist role for
Pennywise, and he was scheduled to move to rhythm guitar once Thirsk conquered
his addiction. Sadly, Thirsk was unsuccessful; on July 29, 1996, he committed
suicide after a drinking binge. Pennywise were shaken by his death, yet they
decided to continue performing, adding Bradbury as a permanent member. The
band's fourth album, Full Circle, was released in April 1997; Straight Ahead
followed two years later. In fall 2000, Pennywise trudged on to release the
live album Live at the Key Club, which was recorded at the tiny club in Los
Angeles in front of a crowd of 600 fans on the band's previous tour. New
studio albums followed in 2001 (Land of the Free?) and 2003 (From the Ashes).
Pennywise had always been political, confrontational. But Ashes amplified
those notions with its reaction to the volatile political climate in America
on the eve of the 2004 presidential elections. When Pennywise returned in
August 2005 with Fuse, they were no less conscious of politics and society.
But the album also returned to a more muscular sound, and included a few
classicist punk rock anthems for the kids to believe in. In March 2008,
Pennywise released Reason to Believe on MySpace Records in the United States
and Epitaph in the U.K. Fans also had the option of downloading the album for
free, thanks to a partnership between MySpace, Textango, and the band.
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