Pennywise
Liberty Lunch, Friday, July 28
Pennywise did not become Pennywise because they are smart shoppers. Named
for the clown/demon of Stephen King’s It, they chose to use
Pennywise, who turned into what his victims feared the most to terrorize them,
as a metaphor for their sound (scary hardcore) and their message
(positive!). Pennywise (the demonclown) was defeated only when people banded
together and faced their fears. Get it? The scary-sounding band with a positive
outcome!
Cynic? Don’t worry, smart shoppers… singer Jim Lindberg doesn’t go out on
tour to preach to 800 drunk, sweaty punk rockers every night. When asked if he
delivered his message Ian McKaye style, he said “We try to let the message come
through in the songs.” And amazingly, it does. For all the titanic
punkbuzz the band makes, Lindberg’s voice is a one-man anthem machine of equal
power. It all adds up to more punk for your penny!
Are the current champ-ions of punk simply preparing ears worldwide for the
Penny-wise takeover? Listening to “Perfect People” on their most recent Epitaph
release About Time, the answer can only be “Yeaah, Yeeaah,
Yeeeeaaaaah!”
The Pennywise sound is fueled by bionic-punkdrummer Byron McMackin, who
slams skins like he’s been “McMackin” a little too much coffee – a suspicion
Lindberg eventually confirmed. Fletcher Dragge’s guitar sounds like it’s being
passed like a joint from Brian Baker, to Greg Ginn to Kirk Hammett for a
second, then over to East Bay Ray – only better, because he’s got his own
style. Imagine that! Were it not for the loving craftsmanship with which
Dragge, McMackin, and bassman Jason Thirsk whittle redwood riffs into
streamline surf-punk scuds, the hardships that the band has weathered thus far
(violent shows, resultant defamation in the press, and a temporary breakup)
make them a future takeover contender on endurance alone. Heck, look what
endurance did for Bad Religion.
Three albums deep, says Lindberg, the band plays bigger and better than
ever, impressive considering how quickly bands can learn to suck. That makes a
Pennywise concert ticket purchase a thrifty decision. – Ben Plimpton
This article appears in July 28 • 1995 and July 28 • 1995 (Cover).