In the mid-1990s, the US-led punk rock explosion was at its zenith and Pennywise were at the forefront of the charge. With their 1995 album About Time, the band encapsulated the Southern Californian melodic hardcore sound that would spawn a generation of new bands.
Now after 27 years after their birth, Pennywise are now in Australia with longtime friends Anti-Flag, to play extensively from About Time as well as their latest album, 2014’s Yesterdays, which features re-recordings of some of Pennywise’s earliest songs.
To celebrate their visit, the band’s bass player Randy Bradbury has taken us through the records that changed his life. Check ’em out below and catch the guys when they roll into your town.
Devo – Are We Not Men
1987, Warner Brothers
My buddy bought a Devo bootleg at a swap meet in 1979. It was a live gig with all the songs of of Are We Not Men. We were going to listen to it for a laugh.
We thought it would suck and we could make fun of it. From the first note it was, whoa, wait a minute, I’ve never heard anything like this in my life. This is everything. This is me. I am punk rock.
Black Flag – Jealous Again
1980, SST Records
When I heard Jealous Again by Black Flag, it was just so aggressive and raw.
Just raw energy, so much more hardcore than anything else I had heard. It was really more what I was looking for as a musical expression of my teenage angst.
Rudimentary Peni – The EP’s of RP
1987, Outer Himalayan
“Rudimentary Peni took punk rock to a different level. So creepy, but so fast and tight, no songs over a minute long. There were great bass parts and drums, and Nick Blinco sang like a lunatic from an asylum.
It definitely took things to the next level. Me and my friends would get wasted and just yell PENI!”
The Damned – Machine Gun Etiquette
1979, Chiswick
“The Damned were my absolute favorite band throughout my defining years. Their musicianship, and writing.
They were just my Heros… They also turned my on to the MC5.”
New York Dolls – New York Dolls
1973, Mercury Records
“The New York Dolls made me want to be a junky. They made being strung out look cool.
Needless to say, I shouldn’t elaborate, but I’m sure they were a bad influence.”
Dead Boys – We’ve Come For Your Children
1978, Sire
“The Dead Boys were refined, well produced but so punk rock in attitude.
They were aggressive, but still made dope seem cool. I love the bass playing on this album. Still one of my all time favorites.”
Bad Religion – Suffer
1988, Epitaph
“With Suffer, Bad Religion single handedly resurrected punk rock in the late 80’s creating the blueprint for all the 90’s style punk rock.
They were the pinnacle of California punk rock. Perfection.”
Upcoming Shows
Monday, 28th Sept | 170 Russell, Melbourne
Wednesday, 30th Sept | HQ, Adelaide
Thursday, 1st Oct | Metropolis, Fremantle
Tickets and info at www.pennywisdom.com
