Pennywise frontman leaves band
After co-headlining this year’s Jagermeister Tour with Hawaiian rockers Pepper, and suffering through a personal loss of the band, SoCal punk rockers Pennywise frontman Jim Lindberg recently announced, after almost 20 years, he will leave the band. This comes as a major shock not just to the band, but to the punk community as well. Lindberg released this statement to the press regarding his departure:
After 20 years, nine albums, and thousands of shows around the world, my time in Pennywise has come to an end. Being the singer for this band has been an amazing experience, and along the way we made some of the best fans anyone could ask for. There are few things that made me more proud than seeing people at our shows singing our songs, and it’s your support and encouragement that’s kept me going this long. I would sincerely like to thank everyone who helped us along the way and wish everyone in the Pennywise family the best of luck and continued success.
Yours truly, Jim.
According to Punkmusic, the band also released its own statement in regards to Lindberg’s departure:
After 19 years with Pennywise, Jim Lindberg has decided to step down as lead singer. Pennywise has long stood behind the motto that you should always follow your heart and pursue what makes you happy, and we wish Jim the best of luck in his new ventures, whatever they may be. Pennywise has become a way of life for a lot of people, and has definitely become a way of life for us. As the three remaining members of Pennywise we feel that we are not done delivering our message to our fans.
The band has always been about moving forward in life no matter what obstacles stand in front of you. We will begin our search for a new singer immediately. We will continue to tour the world and we are looking forward to writing new music. We’ve had a lot of good times and survived the hard times thanks to the undying support of our fans. We’re looking forward to what the future may bring.
Sincerely Fletcher, Randy, and Byron
While it doesn’t seem likely the Pennywise will end anytime soon, it’s quite a blow to the skate punk legends. With a performance slated for the Van Warped Tour 15th Year Celebration, it seems Fletcher, Randy, and Byron will stay true to their word and continue trekking on. Lindberg, however, is currently working on his own documentary, based on his book Punk Rock Dad. While no official release date has been set, count this punk rock disciple in for a pretty awesome showcase.
Thanks for giving us all the music that you did, best of luck. Punch it up your arse Danny Boy you lame fuck! what the fuck have you ever provided to the punk rock community huh, pussy, if i could ever meet you i would fuckn beat you so hard! PENNYWISE has become an institution of music for many and we hope to here more from Fletch Randy and Byron. Thankyou PENNYWISE!!!
I’m a lifelong PW fan from O’side South O, and I’m not about to dispense some pussifeid “oh well, best of luck”, bullshit comment. I say that Jim is a narcissistic douchebag that has finally sold out to shallow self-promotion. So much for “fuck the perfect people” mindset. Rubbing elbows with all the self-promoting pathetic Hollywood types has obviously rubbed off on egomaniac Jim… One can only hope that He will somehow come to his senses and go back to his calling. I recently turned an old 33 after 15 years of hard living, and realize that getting old is a bitch…but now is not the time to become nostalgic and reflective and FULL OF SHIT. Fuck this, I’m pissed. I spent all these years STRUGGLING to be able to travel to South America or Australia or WHERE-THE-FUCK-EVER these LUCKY FUCKS have been gallavanting all these years, and now Jim pusses out. Thanks alot Jim, the world just keeps getting shittier, and you just spit on the pile… fuckin sellout. I remeber you yelling shit from the stage down here 14 years ago about THE OFFSPRING selling out…If ya cant beat em, join em, eh JIMB???
Pennywise puts on a brutal live show and a few of their albums I count as distinct pleasures. Best of luck to the band and to Jim.
That sucks BIG TIME, all the best to Jim and thank you Fletcher Byron and Randy for keeping Pennywise alive. Good luck to who ever the new frontman may be.
thats a bummer, but best of luck to Jim…