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Not Cut from the Same Mold
A Conversation with
Jim Lindberg
August 30, 2024 by Kevin Gomez
I think it’s pretty safe to say Jim Lindberg has had a pretty full life. Lead singer and co-founder of Pennywise, one of the biggest and most influential punk bands ever to rise from Southern California. Loving husband, devoted father, he authored “Punk Rock Dad,” the quintessential tale on how a guy who literally wrote “Fuck Authority” has to now somehow become an authority figure and father.
A book that would later inspire the documentary, “The Other F Word” following Lindberg and other fellow punk rock dads. For the past few years, he has become creative director for the popular BeachLife Festival.
As if he had any free time on his hands, he recently announced a new album from his side project, The Black Pacific. I was fortunate enough to catch up recently with this punk rock icon and somewhat personal hero of mine.
KG: Hey, Jim. So great to catch up with you. After nearly 15 years, looks like we finally get a new Black Pacific album. What inspired you to put out “Here Comes Our Wave” out after such a long layoff?
JL: I have boxes of old cassette tapes that I demoed out over years, just gathering dust. I figured even if the rest of the band wasn’t ready to go in the studio, I at least wanted to record these songs before I’m too old and my hearing is gone. We recorded about 11 songs with Paul Miner at his Buzzbomb Studios. It was myself and Alan (Vega, Black Pacific drummer).
KG: “I Think I’m Paranoid” is a really strong single to release first. Lyrically, there’s a lot of themes of political unrest, social injustice, chaos – I’m assuming that was written about our current social climate?
JL: If you can believe it, I actually wrote that song like 20 years ago after 9/11 and the Iraq War. I think every culture has their time when they’re concerned with all the perilous things going on in the world. All the stress and tension going on in the world, I just wrote a fast punk song at 120 beats per minute about it.
KG: Is there a difference between your writing process for Pennywise vs. The Black Pacific vs. I imagine very much so for your solo work (2021’s “Songs from the Elkhorn Trail”)?
JL: The only difference seems to be between my acoustic stuff and when I have an electric guitar in my hands. I wrote over half of the music and lyrics for most of the Pennywise albums since Jason (Thirsk, original bassist for Pennywise) passed away. Jason was the main songwriter before he died, and I kind of stepped in his shoes after. I said recently, it’s not that The Black Pacific sounds like Pennywise, it’s more that Pennywise sounds like me. When I play a fast, skate punk song that’s what it sounds like – whether it’s a Pennywise song or Black Pacific song.
I played all the guitars on the album, I played bass, I did lead vocals, and Alan played drums. So, if you love it – it’s my fault; if you hate it – it’s my fault (laughs).
KG: Speaking of Pennywise, I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask if you guys were working on a new album?
JL: We’ve been doing a lot of touring. We’re headed out on our third run with Dropkick Murphys – we did Europe, part of North America, and are set to go off on another five weeks of touring the U.S. Then, we have the last show with NOFX for the Punk in Drublic in San Pedro. But, I’m hopeful we can get back in the studio before long to at least record a new single, or a cover.
KG: Yes, not only are you guys playing the very last weekend of Punk in Drublic, but you are actually playing Sunday night, NOFX’s last show ever. Was that specifically chosen by (NOFX lead singer) Fat Mike? I know he loves you guys, even has the Pennywise logo on his arm.
JL: It seemed like either that or he wanted to save (Pennywise guitarist) Fletcher’s antics for the last day, so they could at least get a few songs in before he jumps on the drum set (laughs).
KG: What are the odds in Vegas that Fletcher seriously hurts someone for this final show (for those that don’t know, Fletcher Dragge has in the past: tackled T.S.O.L. lead singer Jack Grisham off of the stage at the Observatory, as well as thrown Fat Mike into Smelly’s drum set during NOFX’s performance on several occasions).
JL: (laughs) I think the odds are seriously in the favor that he launches himself into someone’s drum set. I’ll make sure I’m home by then. I usually try and get out of the area when that type of thing is happening.
KG: “Punk Rock Dad” is one of my all-time favorite books. I think it should be required reading for anyone who’s about to be a new parent. Any plans for a follow-up now that your kids are all grown up?
JL: I’ll probably write something on it, as a collection of essays, as opposed to a new book. I’m actually kind of going through it right now – we just shipped off my daughter to semester at broad. My other two girls are working – one’s in New York, the other in Brentwood. We’re kind of empty nesters, and it’s an adjustment to get used to it. I’m just glad they’re all happy and working hard, and they didn’t turn out like their old man (laughs). I think their way of rebelling was to be straight-A students and work really hard and graduate, so I couldn’t be happier.
KG: I think you’ve done pretty well for yourself, my friend. But, I believe it was you in the documentary, “The Other F Word” who said, “maybe the way we change the world is by raising better kids.”
JL: I tried not to be the overbearing parent, and tell them how to dress or what to listen to. And I think I’ve probably listened to more One Direction and know more Taylor Swift lyrics than anyone else playing the Warped Tour.
KG: It’s funny that you say that. I know you’re the creative director for BeachLife and have a big hand in selecting all of the artists that play every year. It’s really such an eclectic, diverse range of musicians that you gather each year. Have your daughters had an influence on who the artists you’ve booked?
JL: I think this new generation of parents and kids have so much more in common now, and I think it has a lot to do with music. They’ve turned me onto a lot of great acts like Phoebe Bridgers. I get a lot of advice on bands they would like to see – very often it will be like Stevie Nicks or Jack Johnson.
KG: So, what we’re seeing more and more with outdoor festivals is delays and cancellations due to severe weather conditions. I know BeachLife had to cancel their Sunday lineup early due to extreme weather conditions. Quite a few of the Punk in Drublic stops have had to alter and postpone performances, like they did in Denver. Are you guys working to have some kind of plan in place for next year’s BeachLife?
JL: Yeah, there was a wind event and we had to shut down before Trey Anastasio (of Phish), so we had a lot of bummed out Phisheads down there. But, when it comes to public safety we have to make the hard decisions. Big thanks to our staff that they got everyone taken care of quickly and safely.
KG: Finally, with “Here Comes Our Wave” coming out next month, are there any plans to do some Black Pacific shows to tour behind it?
JL: We have so much going on with Pennywise in the fall, it’s going to be difficult to play right away. But, I’m sure down the line we’ll get together and play a few shows. There’s no plans to do a big tour, but I think we’ll probably hop on a few shows here and there, probably mostly local stuff. So, if you live in Southern California, keep an eye out.
“Here Comes Our Wave,” the long-anticipated follow-up to the self-titled Black Pacific album releases September 20 via Dine Alone Records. Their lead single, “I Think I’m Paranoid” is available to stream now on all major platforms.
Pennywise’s North American Fall tour with Dropkick Murphys kicks off in New York on September 24.
You can catch Pennywise, The Vandals, Codefendants, and much more as they play “The Final NOFX Show” for Punk in Drublic on Sunday, October 6th in San Pedro, CA.
In the meantime, you can catch Pennywise at Riot Fest in Chicago on September 20th!
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