Land of the Free

Land of the Free? with revered classic songs like the incendiary “F*ck Authority,” was a wake -up call from Pennywise, aimed at the slumbering masses of America, an attempt to shake people out of their lethargy and prod them into thinking about the world. Originally released in June 2001, the band’s six studio album tackled the political and social issues of the day, from police corruption and mass shootings to elections, topics that 20 years later are just as relevant. Pennywise have made a name for themselves over the past 33 years as a politically minded, melodic hardcore /punk band that has sold millions of albums and become one of the most successful independent acts of all time. Formed in 1988, the band played backyard parties in their hometown of Hermosa Beach, California, without having any aspirations other than playing as many songs as they could before the police showed up. Hermosa Beach and the surrounding neighborhoods are a prominent place in popular culture, with groups like Black Flag, The Circle Jerks and Descendants merging a fast rebellious sound with the surrounding aggressive surf and skate culture. Inspired by their predecessors, Pennywise were at the forefront of a second wave of American punk rock that would catapult the movement from a tight-knit subculture into a worldwide movement.