Posted on May 21, 2010 - by Editor

Pennywise + Strike Anywhere + A Wilhelm Scream + Project North

Pennywise © Imelda Michalczyk

Shepherds Bush Empire
London, UK
Sunday may 16 2010

Sadly we missed all of the support acts on the night, something I don’t usually like to do but in this case with good reason as we were initially delayed and then spent a large amount of time with Pennywise for an interview. The gig had been contentious, as fans were still debating their loyalty for the headliners Pennywise after Jim Lindberg left the band last year but the crowd showed up in strong force.

The venue although not sold out as rumours pre show had suggested, but the ground floor was heaving and the balcony space was still sparse. From my top down view, I did have a luxury of a seat and after a long week it’s exactly what the legs needed on a Sunday night!

The venue felt like there was a good vibe and there was a sense of anticipation from the crowd, some already sporting the sweat and bruises of circle pit from previous bands. The crowd was also keen to show their excitement (and perhaps solidarity) for Pennywise, by chanting the iconic ‘Bro Hymn’ tune for minutes on end leading up the bands appearance on stage. Finally the lights dimmed and the house music came to a halt; on walked the four Pennywise members, the hulking Fletcher Dragge the most obvious.

The band set things off with ‘Every Single Day’ and Zoli Teglas being showcased for the first time to the London crowd as now pennywise

Fletcher Dragge © Imelda Michalczyk

lead, slipped on the stage as he approached the front of the to bust out his first lyrics of the night, a bit of a confidence shaker, but after lying on the ground for a second or two smiling and Fletcher laughing down at him, he jumped to his feet and got things going. ‘My Own Country’ and crowd favoured ‘Can’t Believe It’ was followed up with ‘What If I’ completing the initial phase of the set.

From my balcony vantage point, I had decent sound, although not great, but a great view of the ensuing chaos of the crowd moshing, seeing the bodies move wavelike back and fro and like a wave crashing on the rock, splinter as mini circle pits broke out. The band announced their disdain for politics as a intro to ‘Same Old Story’ and Fletcher tributes Jason Thirsk with ‘Living For Today’.

Zoli who has grown more into his role as front man for the band on this tour waxes lyrical  about how financial people have been responsible for getting us into a big old mess and the band kicks off with ‘Greed’ which results in a  great sing-along. One of my personal favorites ‘Society’ is frantic and fun and played in respect to UK punk bands like GBH and The Damned.

Pennywise © Imelda Michalczyk

“Sea Shepherds Society” is introduced by Zoli and he briefly discusses what they do and how you can help before Fletcher turns the attention to his dislike for cops, or bobbies or coppers and without surprise ‘Fuck Authority’ is played, great song and done justice on the night.

The band is energetic and enjoying themselves too it seems and they vocalize how punk rock is designed for places like this and nights like tonight; so that you can vent your anger and kick into ‘Straight Ahead’.

After requests from the band for London to prove itself with calls for a massive circle pit, and a massive one results, there is a the mad rush of bodies as London complies and steps up, hand own the biggest pit I have seen at this venue. Some minor delays follow which results in Zoli taking on an acapella version, or at least start to, the bands cover of ‘Stand By Me’, which of course receives a massive sing along.

The band leaves the stage and amongst a chorus of chanting from the fans for their expected encore return, Fletcher introduces their

Pennywise © Imelda Michalczyk

long serving booking agent and friend and the band play classic ‘Alien’ with the stock finale of ‘Bro Hymn’; on this occasion performed in tribute to Ronnie James Dio who died that day. Cue the emotional but still exciting and one of the most important band encore songs in punk rock, cue sing along long after the band leaves the stage and let the debates rage whether fans will stick by the band. In my opinion, and put across by Fletcher pre show, sure this is different;  it’s not Jim Lindberg its Zoli Teglas singing, Pennywise is bigger than one man and I think after the transition period, true fans will stick by the band. Heck one fan I met came all the way from South Africa just for this show.