Photo by: MySpace Music
Hermosa Beach punk rockers Pennywise swept away Denver fans at the Fillmore Auditorium last week.
Pennywise is a band well versed in touring, well versed in playing and well aware of what fans want, which is unbridled vitality that can only be experienced at a concert.
Singer Jim Lindberg took the stage in typical fashion, decked out in simple skater clothes with no visible logos. Drummer Byron McMackin, guitarist Fletcher Dragge and bassist Randy Bradbury appeared on stage next. The band has a repertoire of 134 songs and was ready to explode. The set opened with “(Intro) As Long As We Can,” the first song on the band’s recent CD Reason to Believe, which fans could have for free in an online release, courtesy of Textango and Myspace.com. Reason to Believe served as a powerful social commentary and a welcome treat after the mediocre washout The Fuse.
After baiting the sea of moshing fans with something new, the band unleashed a flurry of fan favorites spanning nearly its entire discography. Songs like “My Own Country,” “Rules,” “Society” and “Same Old Story” undulated out across the Fillmore as fans poured their hearts out in rhythm.
Next came more political tunes, such as “F**k Authority,” “My Own Country” and “The Western World.” A longtime proponent for change, Pennywise delivers its message in a positive way instead of beating fans over the head with its ideals.
The Perfect People album celebrates imperfection by highlighting the individuality involved in being yourself by pointing out that perfect people “all look the same.” “The Western World” comments on modern America and our ceaseless endeavors in foreign countries. The crowd goes wild and loves every minute.
At one point, the band paused to recognize the valor of U.S. Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor, who died when he used his body to smother a live grenade while on tour in Iraq. The band then broke into “Broken,” a song about the incorruptibility of mankind’s will to survive despite hardships; and “Die For You,” a tune about the passion one has for his friends and those close to him despite the state of the world.
The set came to an end in traditional Pennywise fashion, with the well-known punk mantra “Bro Hymn.” Originally written by fallen band member Jason Thirsk to recognize three deceased friends, “Bro Hymn” has become a tribute to and a celebration of Thirsk’s life.
The band still had one last trick up its sleeve, inviting Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jose Theodore up on stage to play guitar alongside Dragge for the finale. It was quite the show. It opened with Authority Zero and was followed by a worthy performance from Simi Valley, Calif. natives Strung Out. But nothing could compare to the main event.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Boones
