Pennywise was formed in a garage in Hermosa Beach in 1988.
Hermosa is where most hardcore bands are born.  Hardcore bands
like Black Flag, Circle of Jerks, and the Descendents.  By 1989
Pennywise had been able to record and release a 5 song album
called "Words from the Wise" on a local label.  Their reputation
as a ferocious band came quickly.  After Pennywise released
"Unknown Road" and "About Time" they were signed to
Epitaph Records.

Pennywise relied on their culture for support.  They lent their
music to several different surfing and skating videos and and were
established as a band with music for skaters, surfers, and punks
all over the nation.  Their intense music spoke to a ton of fans who
wanted more than frivolity of pop of gringe music.  Pennywise
is always trying to pose solutions and are aiming to inspire their fans
to live life and everyday to it's fullest.   Everything that the band
stands for was tested in July of '96.  One of the founding members
Jason Thirsk lost his life.  The bands members were devastated
they redidicated their life to the band and sought answers
in their music.  Because of this they made their darkest
and most personal album called Full Circle.  Because of an
overwhelming respons from fans, this became their bes
selling album yet.

After touring for a year the band went back to the studio
to produse their sixth album, Straight Ahead.  By making
Straight Ahead the band hoped to create an album that
would deliver goods for their long time fans as well as take
a chance with different music.  This time the band also turned
to the world for help.  My Own Country explores their desire
for autonomy and separation from a government more concerned
with scandal and the cult of personality than the will of people.
Pennywise pointed out problems in the culture, communities,
and our world with songs like Victim of Reality and Can't
Believe It.  Their five months of hard work paid off because
their album resulted in their strongest, and most diverse album
to date.

Pennywise has been together for over a decade and still
they remain true to the ideas and inspiration as when they
started.  Even though they grew to a lvel beyond their dreams
the band is at it's core and is still just another punk band from
Hermosa Beach.  Their purpose is to serve fans, give a voice,
and inspire to a generation searching for a better world than
they have inherited.  Inthe last song on Straight Ahead, (Badge
of Pride), Jim sings about what it is to remain true to his ideals.
'I'll believe what I wanna believe / true to myself that's
how it's gotta be.'