Pennywise's Unwise Radio Stunt Blows Up At KROQ

06/08/1999 7:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(6/8/99, 4 p.m. PDT) - Every time Pennywise visits Los Angeles modern rock radio station KROQ, chaos ensues. Last night (June 7), the station's Loveline hosts, Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew Pinsky, were literally held hostage by the Hermosa Beach, Calif.-based hardcore band.

Guitarist Fletcher Dragge, apparently drunk, locked the radio personalities and bassist Randy Bradbury in the on-air booth and threatened them with a hand grenade, which he did not have in his possession. In addition, Dragge reportedly flailed at a station bodyguard before police intervened, near the end of the two-hour program. No arrests were made.

During Pennywise's last appearance on the program years ago, Dragge vomited on Pinsky, nearly ruining the band's chances of being played on the station. Sound files of the incident can be found on the band and station websites, www.pennywisdom.com and www.kroq.com (the latter is, ironically, in a section called "Best Of Loveline").

"We went on the show, with no intention of anything but to have a good time, and Fletcher just took it to the next level," said singer Jim Lindberg of the first incident. "He had been drinking, he was hammered, and I guess he throws up every time he drinks tequila. He had those little airplane bottles of it. It's not necessarily something that we're real proud of, but if you know him, you know that's typical. He does that to people at birthday parties. I make no apologies for him. He does what he wants."

The brass at KROQ was understandably queasy about Pennywise, until the first single, "Alien," from the band's fifth and latest album, Straight Ahead (out today on Epitaph), became one of the station's most-requested songs. Not only did the station invite the band back for last night's Loveline, but it also added the band to the side stage of its annual summer festival, the Weenie Roast & Luau (LAUNCH, 6/3).

After this second volatile on-air incident, it remains to be seen if the band gets to retain the coveted gig. When reciting the list of bands playing the event, KROQ personality Tami Heide quipped this morning, "I don't know about Penis-wise." Pennywise's spokeswoman said, however, that as far as the band knows, it's still on the bill. Dragge was just having fun, drummer Byron McMakin apologized on the air, and the band is issuing a statement of apology later today.

Pennywise is still on schedule to play its release party for Straight Ahead tonight at the Key Club in West Hollywood. Pennywise also plays the main stage of the Warped Tour this summer, which kicks off June 25 in San Antonio, Texas and wraps up July 31 in Miami, Fla.

Look for a Pennywise feature on LAUNCH.com soon.

-- Jennifer Vineyard, Los Angeles

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