Formed by guitarist Fletcher Dragge and late bassist Jason Thirsk in 1988, PENNYWISE rose to prominence in the midst of the mid-nineties punk revival. Offering an alternative to their grunge-addled peers, PENNYWISE deliver a positive transcendental message of self-reliance. Our music exists solely to inspire people, notes singer and chief lyricist Jim Lindberg. We want people to hear our music and feel empowered by it.
     
      On their seventh studio release LAND OF THE FREE?, PENNYWISE have turned their attention toward the issues of global politics, drawing inspiration from the worldwide WTO protests and the recent United States Presidential elections as fuel for their anti-establishment position. In our opinion the right of free speech--our freedom to express our views, especially when they contradict those of our political leaders--is the central idea that our country is founded upon, notes Lindberg. Civil protest should be seen as a Patriotic endeavor. It s the people s means of checks and balances. This album is meant to be a soundtrack for political activists all over the... (More Pennywise Biography)