To say 1996 was a hard year for the members of Southern California hard-core punk-rock act Pennywise is putting it mildly.
Not only did members have to deal with the overdose death of Sublime vocalist Brad Nowell, a longtime friend of the band, but original bass guitarist Jason Thirsk - the founding member of Pennywise - also died in a drug-related incident.But those tragedies did not stop the four-piece from playing throughout the year, including stints for the Vans Warped Tour '96, Australia's New Year 1997 festival (where the band performed a cover of AC/DC's "TNT") and "Enough Already," a benefit concert for Musicians Aid Program and an educational fund-raiser for Nowell's daughter.
Pennywise performs Friday, April 11, with fellow punk-rockers Blink 182 at the Wolf Mountain Arena in Park City.
The group is touring the United States to preview its new album, "Full Circle," which will be released April 22, as well as promote its headlining slot on the Vans Warped Tour '97.
"About Face" features a live version of the rousing "Bro Hymn," the group's signature song (from its first, self-titled release), which is dedicated to the memory of Thirsk.
"Jason's positive and uplifting lyrics are what defined our band and attracted fans to Pennywise all over the world," vocalist Jim Lindberg said. "We loved him very much, and he will be missed."
Tickets for the show, a Cashmere production, are $13 in advance from all Graywhale CD Exchange locations, Raunch Records and the Heavy Metal Shop, both in Salt Lake City, and Crandall Audio in Orem.