Pennywise – ‘Yesterdays’ (Deluxe Edition)

Pennywise – Hermosa Beach, California, United States Of America.

The Hermosa Beach, Punk Rock legends return with a fresh take on a blast from the past.

The band have released their 11th studio album as a mixture of true classics and, ‘a few outtakes’ that were, ‘dusted off just for the occasion’; many of which were penned and jammed out in their beaten up garage which birthed the band we know today. The title of the album not only recounts a song by the band on an earlier album but far more importantly remembers Pennywise’s late bassist, Jason Thrisk, who until his passing in 1996 (RIP mate) was the band’s primary song writer. Tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 are from those early years, in a time before their records and touring catapulted Pennywise into Punk Rock royalty.

Eagerly awaited by any fans of the band or the genre in general, it is the bands first album since 2012’s ‘All Or Nothing’, on which Jim Lindberg was absent. ‘All Or Nothing’ was a fantastic album – don’t get me wrong – but personally, I can safely say myself and the Pennywise family worldwide are glad to have Lindberg back on Vocal duties.

Anyway, now is the time to see how ‘Yesterdays’ shapes up. Here’s MF”s review:

1.What You Deserve – ‘Yesterdays’ kicks off with a typical and by no means boring Punk bass intro before hurtling into one of the bands signature Skate Punk Rhythms. Fletcher Dragge creates an upbeat fast riff, which is perfectly situated between the driving Rhythms originally set out by Thirsk and well executed by Bradbury. Vocally, it really is refreshing to hear Jim Lindberg’s voice throwing itself at you. A well chosen opener that is a throwback to the Pennywise of yesterday. When this song was originally penned, the band (as stated on their website) were becoming more and more critical, politicised and angry at the society that loomed over them.  The song itself concerns misconduct within police forces who are supposed to protect. Whether related or not, the California Punk and Hardcore scenes were always cut down on and mercilessly attacked by the boys in blue.

2. Restless Time – Drummer Byron McMackin doesn’t let the pace up for track two, so why would the rest of the band? Fast and punchy clocking in at 1.27, the message; don’t let yourself fall into this restless time. Theories are all well and good but, ‘Theories take us all but anywhere’ you need to do your best and to remember, ‘You must lead, don’t you follow’. 

3. Noise Pollution – It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are and even who are you talking to – there is always that one person. That one person or collective that feels the need to make you do this, make you do that and has no respect for the individuality of each and every one of us. No wonder the Punk and Hardcore scenes have no faith or hope in society. Ranting aside, as simplistic as this song seems, it packs a point and a jab to the stomach to all those self righteous beings that don’t stop at advice or suggestion like any average free thinking person. At the end of the day, do what YOU wish rather than whoever is doing the back seat thinking, track 3 illustrates this clearly. Sometimes all we need to say is, ‘… your point of view is just noise pollution’, blast the Punk or whatever drowns it out and walk away.

‘You won’t hear any other suggestions, you say its all an illusion but all I hear is just more confusion’ 

4. Violence Never Ending – Easily one of the best tracks on the album. I’ll post the video at the bottom as it shows a fuck-ton of live shows from the bands explosive and timely career; timely but by no means stopping any time soon. Leaning more towards the Melodic Hardcore element of their sound, ‘Violence Never Ending’ is an absolute banger and with the current state of world politics and conflict, it’s important.

‘…wanna make you, wanna make you see, that until we will stop pretending, it’s violence never ending’

5. Am Oi! – Another one of Thirsk’s compositions. Fast and jagged, ‘Am Oi!’ again is a critique in its own right. Those who preach for one world, one world for all and general preachy politics are often simply just trying to fool and gain support, or simply won’t deliver upon said promises. Those who assume they are talking for us and for people. ‘One world yeah is it good enough? I said one world yeah is it bad enough?’. Lindberg knows that they’re all the same and he isn’t afraid to shout it. ‘Am Oi!’ is the sound of a band finding a voice and using it, way back when and in the present.

6. Thanksgiving – The band have always had the delivery of a Punk anthem down to a T. ‘Thanksgiving’ is no different. Strong, jagged riffage of the Pennywise sort to a low bass and a mid pace, the music is the exact setting needed for message. ‘Hey listen, take a look around and tell me, what’s your story? What’s your problem? In your head tangled inside are distorted images, telling you what it should be instead of what it is’. At the end of the day, the week, the month we can all have bad days, much of which will be justified. But, what we often lack is the realisation that however bad we feel, there is always someone, somewhere, worse off and that sometimes what we complain of is trivial and shallow.  The combination of the message and the anthemic nature of this track only heighten a want to see the 4-piece live. ‘Think about all that you have…’

7. She’s A Winner – Track 7 starts with a playful and bouncy back and forth between guitar and bass before the pace returns. Another older track, the classic driving rhythms and low bass that are so classic of this band are as prominent as ever and welcome. ‘She’s A Winner’, whoever this winner is sounds like a great other half. It’s a bit tongue and cheek but it still a great song. After all there’s nothing wrong with being happy or someone making you so. I’m sure many of the people who read this, male or female can relate to this.

8. Slow Down –  ‘Slow Down’ then, a track from the bands 1993 and reissued in 2005 album, Unknown Road, is a great revival of a fan favourite. Sounding bigger than ever, I think a lot of us will be hoping it gets some air on the bands upcoming US and UK tours. It is very much a song for those days when you really cannot be arsed with anything and being told to slow down is NOT what you need to hear. Be who you want to be, because if you don’t, sings Lindberg, ‘I have no sympathy for thee, I got too much ahead of me’. We all have those days, we all need those days. The song itself is again testament to why Pennywise are one of the most respected Punk Rock bands from the past 25 years, anthemic, fast, heavy and loud with that unmistakable Fletch Dragge riffage coupled with Bradbury doing Jason proud on bass.

9. Public Defender – Fast and politically charged. ‘We gotta force our fate, they hold the cards, they rig the game till you refuse to play’. Self explanatory, track 9 review… over. Fists up in the air.

10. No Way Out – You know by the intro and opening riff that is going to another head banging and neck damaging slice of Pennywise Punk Rock. Fast and fuelled by disaffection and worry that they day may not come where we can escape. It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to escape from, sometimes there is no way out. A more mid paced track, ‘No Way Out’ although being one of the older compositions from a much younger band, almost sounds like a new track. Now, as much you could easily turn to say that this is due to the fact its been re-recorded from an earlier composition, that – in my opinion – it isn’t. ‘No Way Out’ was clearly a sign of things come and an example of the versatility of Pennywise’s sound.

11. I Can Remember –  The final of the “studio tracks”, ‘I Can Remember’ breaks in with a melodic riff that leads onto a good strong and reliable Punk chug and classic Pennywise sound. Lindberg’s voice has come a long way since the 89′ tapes, yet has lost none of instantly recognisable character that it holds. Which, in relation to this song and its theme, is paramount. I’d like to think the song as much as the album has two dedications. On the inside sleeve of the CD booklet are a few words to remember ‘Basil Carl McMackin lifetime Pennywise Father, friend and fan RIP 1934-2014′. The lyrics of the song were clearly written and sung in thought of those forgotten, whether the above mentioned or that of the late Jason Thirsk.

The song is well written and a true heartfelt ode to the forgotten, regardless if you’re religious or not, the thought and feeling of a lost friend or relative looking down on you as you live you’re life; is something important and is well conveyed in track 11. ‘I Can Remember’, I hope, will join the likes of Bro Hymn (Tribute) on the set lists from now on at Pennywise shows.

12. Band Practice 89′ – If you were able to get hold of the Deluxe Edition of Yesterdays, then you were treated to  bonus 13:38 of the band in it’s rawest form. If you wanted to know what they sounded like back in the day then your prayers have be answered. Enjoy band practice.

Yesterdays then, a new, old album of old school Pennywise revisited. The bands eleventh effort, and a good one at that. I started listening to the band 6 or 7 seven years ago and my conclusion then was as it is now. If you want a decent Punk Rock album, buy a Pennywise album. – 9/10

‘Violence Never Ending’