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EspañolPENNYWISE (BAND)
:''For the Stephen King creature, see It (monster).''
'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 has released an album every two years on Epitaph Records, a label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. So far, Pennywise have released eight full-length studio albums, one live album, two EPs and one DVD. Their last album, ''The Fuse'', was released in 2005. The band is also currently working on its next album, which is due for release in early 2008.
Pennywise has 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 (1988-1989)
Pennywise was 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.
Increasing popularity (1990-1995)
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.
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.
Aftermath of Thirsk's death (1996-2003)
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.
The band released ''Full Circle'' (1997) with Bradbury on bass 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.
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 is currently working on their their ninth studio album, which is said to be released as early as 2008. In a recent interview at the Warped Tour, Fletcher stated that the band has written nearly 60 songs and are currently trying to decide which ones to record for their new album, hinting at whether it would be a double release.
Pennywise recently recorded a cover of Sick of It All's "My Life" for the band's tribute album ''Our Impact Will Be Felt''.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Billboard Peak[1] | Format | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | ''Pennywise'' | Epitaph | Uncharted | CD/LP | ★ Debut release. ★ Remastered on March 8, 2005. ★ The 2005 remastered version features a bonus track "Psycho 89". |
| 1993 | ''Unknown Road'' | Epitaph | Uncharted | CD/LP | ★ Remastered on March 8, 2005. ★ Though not yet credited as a member of the band, current bassist Randy Bradbury contributed songs on this album. |
| 1995 | ''About Time'' | Epitaph | #96 | CD/LP | ★ Remastered on March 8, 2005. ★ Last album recorded with original bassist Jason Thirsk before his suicide in 1996. |
| 1997 | ''Full Circle'' | Epitaph | #79 | CD/LP | ★ Remastered on March 8, 2005. ★ First release with current bassist Randy Bradbury. ★ Contains "Bro Hymn Tribute", a re-recording of "Bro Hymn", which is dedicated to the late Jason Thirsk. |
| 1999 | ''Straight Ahead'' | Epitaph | #62 | CD/LP | |
| 2001 | ''Land of the Free?'' | Epitaph | #67 | CD/LP | |
| 2003 | ''From the Ashes'' | Epitaph | #54 | CD/LP | |
| 2005 | ''The Fuse'' | Epitaph | #78 | CD/LP |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | ''A Word from the Wise'' | Theologian | EP | ★ First EP. ★ Re-released in 1992 on the ''Wildcard/A Word from the 'Wise'', along with the second EP. |
| 1989 | ''Wildcard'' | Theologian | EP | ★ Second EP. ★ Re-released in 1992 on the ''Wildcard/A Word from the 'Wise'', along with the first EP. |
Compilation / Live albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Billboard Peak[1] | Format | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | ''Wildcard/A Word from the 'Wise'' | Theologian | Uncharted | CD | ★ Repackaging of the band's first two EPs. ★ The first five tracks are ''A Word from the Wise''. ★ The rest of the tracks are ''Wildcard''. |
| 2000 | ''Live @ the Key Club'' | Epitaph | #198 | CD/LP | ★ The band's only live album to date. ★ Contains a cover of "Minor Threat", originally written by the band with the same title. |
DVDs
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | ''Home Movies'' | Epitaph | VHS/DVD | ★ Originally released on VHS in 1995. ★ Released on DVD on November 9, 2004. |
Singles
| 'Year' | 'Title' | 'Chart positions' | 'Album' | |||
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK | |||
| 1993 | "Homesick" | - | - | - | - | ''Unknown Road'' |
| 1993 | "Tomorrow" (7 inch) | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1995 | "Same Old Story" | - | - | - | - | ''About Time'' |
| 1997 | "Society" | - | - | - | - | ''Full Circle'' |
| 1999 | "Alien" | - | 36 | - | - | ''Straight Ahead'' |
| 2000 | "Victim of Reality" | - | - | - | - | ''Straight Ahead'' |
| 2001 | "Fuck Authority" | - | 38 | - | - | ''Land of the Free?'' |
| 2001 | "Divine Intervention" | - | - | - | - | ''Land of the Free?'' |
| 2002 | "My God" | - | - | - | - | ''Land of the Free?'' |
| 2003 | "Yesterdays" | - | - | - | - | ''From the Ashes'' |
| 2003 | "God Save the USA" | - | - | - | - | ''From the Ashes'' |
| 2005 | "Disconnect" | - | - | - | - | ''The Fuse'' |
| 2005 | "Knocked Down" | - | - | - | - | ''The Fuse'' |
Members
Current lineup
★ Jim Lindberg - vocals
★ Fletcher Dragge - guitars
★ Randy Bradbury - bass
★ Byron McMackin - drums
Former members
★ Jason Thirsk - bass (died July 29, 1996)
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.
★ "It's What You Do With It" in ''About Time'', "Homesick" in ''Unknown Road'', and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" in ''Pennywise'' are featured in Matt Hoffman Pro BMX.
★ "Society", in ''Full Circle'', and "It's What You Do With It" in ''About Time'' are featured in the arcade game Top Skater.
★ "Greed", in ''Straight Ahead'' is featured in Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX.
★ "Rise Up", in ''From the Ashes'' is featured in the video game Burnout 3.
★ "Stand Up", in ''The Fuse'' is featured in the video game Burnout Revenge.
★ "Knocked Down", in ''The Fuse'' is featured in the video game EA Sports NHL 06.
★ "Competition Song", in ''The Fuse'' is featured in the video game SSX On Tour.
★ "Now I Know" in "From The Ashes" is feat. in video game MTX Mototrax.
★ "No Reason Why", "Fun And Games", and "Living for Today" in ''Pennywise'' were featured in skate film Plan B Skateboards-Questionable Video in the skatepark section, the slam section and Danny Way's part respectively.
★ "Get a Life" in ''Full Circle'' is featured in the BMX video Chaingang.
★ "Bro Hymn" is the official goal song of the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks, and is played after each home goal. [1] When the Ducks won the Stanley Cup, the band played at the celebration as the Ducks took the stage. [2]
★ "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 inaugral season (06/07), and is played after every home goal.
★ Hardcore/Gabba godfather Dj Paul Elstak with Teenage Warning used the chant from "Bro Hymn" in a song called "Brohymn (This One's For You)".
★ A fan of the band, German Cervantes asked his now wife to marry him on stage in San Diego on 11/17/2001.
References
1. Artist Chart History - Pennywise
2. Artist Chart History - Pennywise
External links
★ The Official Website — Official Website
★ The Largest Fansite — Fansite
★ Interview With Fletcher (Oct, 2006)
★ Live Pictures From Toronto
★ Spanish Fansite
★ Live concert in Amsterdam- Fabchannel free broadcast
★ Pennywise discography from Music City
★ All Music Guide entry for Pennywise
★
★ Pennywise Discography at Discogs
★ Interview with Tom Fletcher of Pennywise (2006)
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