Pennywise Leads Spirited Concert for Charities

Adhering to its uncompromising punk philosophy, Pennywise has passed up opportunities to sign with major labels and strives to set a conscientious example. The Hermosa Beach quartet tackles social-political issues not only in its music, but also through actions such as organizing the benefit show it headlined at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Friday. Concert proceeds were earmarked for two local charities dealing with suicide prevention and battered children.

Pennywise has played like a proverbial well-oiled machine almost since its inception more than a decade ago; experience has only made it run more smoothly. Its hourlong set of blazing hard-core was punctuated by frontman Jim Lindberg’s between-song barbs at Ticketmaster, which he accused of underselling the concert (the announced sellout crowd hardly filled the arena), the fire marshal who pulled the plug on Pennywise twice before the night’s end, and teeny-bopper bands.

Punk rock generally emphasizes spirit over playing ability, and while Pennywise and the Long Beach Dub Allstars (whose set of reggae-rock and punk-pop was full of verve) struck a perfect balance between attitude and musicianship, the Vandals took a more skewed approach. Any chops the quartet displayed were overshadowed by antics that culminated in frontman Dave Quackenbush’s geek striptease.

Also on the bill were veterans TSOL and All (featuring former Descendents members), though during their sets much of the crowd was stuck in lines to enter the arena.