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Pennywise
Combining elements of California hardcore, skate punk, and metal, Pennywise are one of the most successful and influential of the '90s punk bands. High school friends Jim Lindberg (vocals), Fletcher Dragge (guitar), Jason Thirsk (bass), and Byron McMackin (drums) formed Pennywise in 1988, after doing time in various punk and hardcore bands around their native Hermosa Beach, California. In 1989, Theologian Records released their debut EP, A Word to the Wise, which quickly brought Pennywise to the attention of Epitaph Records head honcho Brett Gurewitz, who signed the band in 1990, and released their self-titled full length later that year. The band started to find some word-of-mouth success, but six months after the debut's release, Lindberg quit out of frustration with the band's lack of motivation. Thirsk took over the vocal duties for a while, with his bass instructor, Randy Bradbury, taking his place on bass. Thirsk didn't work out well on vocals, but the band refocused on their music during this time, and by 1992, convinced Lindberg that they were serious enough for him to return to the fold, Thirsk moving back to bass. Their second full-length, 1993's Unknown Road, benefited greatly from concert touring and the band's appearances in snowboarding and surfing videos. The record sold 200,000 copies in the wake of the success of Green Day and the Offspring, and led to interest from several major labels, though Pennywise opted to stay true to their roots and stick with Epitaph. Their 1995 album, About Time, was equally popular, but as the band got set to start their fourth full-length, Thirsk took a leave of absence in order to deal with his chronic alcoholism. Bradbury rejoined the band on bass, with the understanding that when Thirsk returned, Bradbury would move to rhythm guitar. Unfortunately, Thirsk couldn't beat the bottle, and killed himself after a drinking binge on July 29, 1996. Though shaken by Thirk's death, the band decided to continue on, keeping Bradbury on bass and releasing Full Circle in 1997. The band has remained popular since, releasing a fifth studio release, Straight Ahead, in 1999, and a live album, Live at the Key Club, in 2000. |
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Pennywise |
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Final Chapter |
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Punk |
Not at all the "Final Chapter" for Pennywise, this is a polished yet energetic live version of one of the punk rock heroes' earliest tunes.
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Pennywise |
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Time Marches On |
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High-octane speed thrasher marks Pennywise’s triumphant return to your speakers. Trademark Bad Religion-on-speed vibe is almost too melodic, but politically angst-ridden lyrics do not disappoint. Act up, America!
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