Pennywise Tickets

About Pennywise

The band members all knew each other in high school, but did not get together as a band until much later because of other commitments to other bands. Pennywise finally assembled released two EPs in 1989, A Word from the Wise and Wildcard. On the strength of the EPs, they were signed to Epitaph Records in 1990. They followed the next year with their debut self-titled album.

The album was a huge hit in the punk world, putting them on the radar of the nation, although only as a blip. The lyrics pushed a positive attitude and progressive ideals for Generation X. The positive message could not stop the Pennywise from altering its lineup.

Lead singer Lindberg left the band after the debut, and Thirsk took over on vocals. Needing a bassist, Randy Bradbury joined the group. Then in 1992, Dave Quackenbush joined the band as the new lead singer, Thirsk moved back to bass, and Bradbury left the band. Before the second album, Lindberg rejoined the group and Quackenbush left. Back to its original lineup, Pennywise recorded its second album, Unknown Road, in 1993.

With punk moving into the mainstream with bands like The Offspring and Rancid, multiple major labels offered record contracts. Pennywise stayed true to their punk roots and turned down the deals. Instead they released About Time in 1995. Two extremely successful indie hits were under his belt, and Thirsk left the band to deal with his alcoholism. Unfortunately, the battle ended in a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the chest.

Bradbury rejoined the band following the bassist’s tragic death. Pennywise continued to release albums about every two years following the change. With Straight Ahead in 1999, Land of the Free? in 2001, From Ashes in 2003, and The Fuse in 2005. The albums never placed in the top ten, but always had a strong showing, especially for being released through the independent record label Epitaph.