1990s punk rock revivalists, Pennywise, this year celebrate 25 years of pumping out supercharged records of political distrust.
However, the road to reaching such a milestone wasn't without its bumps. In 2009, original vocalist and founding member, Jim Lindberg, announced his departure from the quartet.
“It was something we were really bummed on and I think it was a hard decision for Jim to make,” guitarist Fletcher Dragge says. “Things had become too much and he needed a break, but we weren't willing to give him a break. I've said a million times he's one of the best singers in punk rock, period. It was a difficult time, but we moved forward and did what we had to do, and he did his thing.”
Between Jim's departure and his reunion with Pennywise, Zoli Teglas of Ignite fame filled his shoes. And damn, were they big shoes to fill. Needless to say, there was something lacking without Jim at the helm. “The friendships down here are a really tight-knit group of friends. We have a thousand friends and literally when you go to a bar here, you know 800 people by their first names … I think that's the one thing Zoli was lacking – that camaradarie that we had developed over the years.
“Jim's more Darby Crash crossed with Johnny Rotten – he has that swagger. Zoli's more militant-like in his approach, and I think Pennywise is built on Jim's swagger – his loose vibe and that feeling he puts out.”
After Zoli sustained a back injury while on tour in Germany, the door was left wide open for Jim to return. It almost seems like a Cinderella story with it being their 25th anniversary and all, doesn't it?
“Jim's family; he's been family for 20 years, and I think he considers us the same and we've been through a lot of stuff together. He's the singer of Pennywise. He's the guy that belongs up there. It would be like if Glenn Danzig walked back in The Misfits. If that happened, I'd be at that show immediately – I'd be driving there a month in advance, standing in line waiting to see that.
“It's one of those things that everyone dreams about and hopes it'll happen, but a lot of times it doesn't. This time it did.”
Pennywise Tour Dates Australia
Tue Apr 02 — Metro Fremantle (Perth)Thu Apr 04 — The Palace (Melbourne)
Fri Apr 05 — UNSW Roundhouse (Sydney)
Sat Apr 06 — The Tivoli (Brisbane)
Sun Apr 07 — Coolangatta Hotel (Gold Coast)
Tue Apr 09 — HQ (Adelaide)
