March 9, 2000

London WC2 Astoria

Nice, wholesome fun, but there were no punks in the building tonight...

When Green Day happened in the early-'90s, most of the south Californian punk rock bands who'd previously thrived in an underground scene of skateboard tournaments were ruined. Thanks in part to mom and pop-friendly phenomena like Vans Warped Tent festivals, though, Pennywise have weathered the storm.

They've survived because their workmanlike, melodic, pop-Oi! has always been a perfectly inoffensive, invigorating load of old cobblers - perfect for MTV.

Tonight's set is a hilarious, sweaty, jump-up-and-down-in-your Ben-Davis-workpants riot, with polite punk kids punching the air to Pennywise's 100mph, two-minute punk pap. Good on them. The vibes from the stage are so harmless and playful that notions of revolution, destruction, killing the pigs or fucking the system would be considered a tad impolite.

Pennywise seem to be happy, the kids are all happy, the door staff are happy - EVERYBODY'S 'APPY. Even missing guitarist Fletch, who's unable to make it tonight through illness, is happy. Halfway through the set lead singer Jim Lindberg rings him up on his mobile and we all shout, "Get well soon Fletch!" Isn't that lovely!

Covers of Nirvana's punk rock genius 'Territorial Pissings' and Black Flag's'Nervous Breakdown' only serve to show up Pennywise for the lightweight muppets they are. Nice, wholesome fun, but there were no punks in the building tonight.