December 29, 2000
LIVE @ THE KEY CLUB
By DARRYL STERDAN

LIVE @ THE KEY CLUB
Pennywise
(Epitaph)

Pennywise haven't been the luckiest band around. First, the Hermosa Beach punk outfit watched acts like Offspring and Green Day become megastars while they stayed below the radar. Then the band's original bassist Jason Thirsk committed suicide. And now that they're back up to speed, it looks like the punk wave of the '90s might be ebbing again. It's a shame -- had this blistering live album been released five years ago, it might have vaulted these talented and tuneful skatepunks into the big leagues. As it stands, it's still one helluva performance, with the boys kicking ass and taking names as they barrel at full throttle through 17 power-punk grenades packed with quick-change beats, whoa-ho chorus anthems and metal-flake guitar lines from the one and only Fletcher Dragge. The most powerful moments, though, come when they play Thirsk's songs and pay tribute to his memory with the moving closer Bro Hymn. That's when you realize that for Pennywise, luck takes a backseat to honesty and honour. Any band that can say that is a success in our book.

Track Listing 1.Intro
  02.Wouldn't It Be Nice
  03.Living For Today
  04.Final Chapters
  05.Can't Believe It
  06.Unknown Road
  07.Homesick
  08.No Reason Why
  09.Fight Till You Die
  10.Peaceful Day
  11.Society
  12.Straight Ahead
  13.Pennywise
  14.Perfect People
  15.Minor Threat
  16.Same Old Story
  17.Alien
  18.Bro Hymn