THE AVENGERS – PRESS

AVENGERS DELIVER LEGENDARY PUNK MUSIC

The Avengers are one of the pioneering bands of the original San Francisco punk scene. Formed in 1977 and fronted by Penelope Houston, the band became known for politically charged lyrics, melodic punk songwriting, powerful vocals and their historic appearance opening for the Sex Pistols in 1978. The group reunited in the 1990s and continues to tour internationally. The Avengers were called ‘mystical’ with their energetic and politically charged themes in the heart of the San francisco punk movement of the late 70’s fueling the fire of the punk movment. the band included Penelope Houston on vocals, Greg Ingrahman on guitars, Danny O’Brien on drums and Jonathan Postal on bass who was soon replaced by Jimmy Wilsey.

Penelope Houston is one of the most influential women of the early punk movement and first female fronted American bands that inspired many to follow. “We Are the One” is a punk anthem that is one of the most essential and iconic songs in punk history. They would open for the Sex Pistols in 1978 in San Francisco which would make history as it was the Pistol’s last show before breaking up. Steve Jones of the Pistols would go on to produce the Avenger’s music.

The current lineup includes Penelope on vocals, Ingraham on guitar, Joel Reader on bass, and Luis Illades on drums.

The Avengers were purly part of the original punk movement that was spreading across the nation and the world . in the late 70’s, They came into an historic time in the music world with their aggressive and politcal music that was ready to destroy the world. “When we formed the band we were planning to blowup the culture that had come before us”, said Penelope. “We were sick of dinosaur rock and navel gazing. We wanted the creation of Punk Music, art, and fashion to be available to everybody. There were no rules and no limitations. Playing the Avengers song now is an act of jubilation and rebellion because the world still needs revolution songs.”

The Avengers played in a time and place that is not only a special place and time in music history, but where legends were made. “The original San Francisco punk scene was wildly open and free. When the Pistols game to play everybody was there (including all the punks from LA Seattle and Portland) But also another 4000 people who knew nothing about our scene. They were egged on by the MC and circus-like the situation and were trying to behave as badly as possible. When we walked onto the stage it was covered in spit and garbage the audience had thrown. A bit terrifying but we rallied and do our best to blow the Pistols off stage.”

While the energy, angst, and rebellion the Avengers created in the 70’s was straight forward politcally charged, Penelope feels that the Avenger’s songs are even more relevant and important today. “Our songs of rebellion and questioning the status quo are more relevant than they have ever been they have been in decades. If there was ever a time for punk rock it’s now! We must fight against tyranny, bigotry, misogyny, oligarchy and genocide.”

After all the years since the original Avengers brought their rebellion to the stages in the late 70’s, Penelope still feels the same fire energy she did then. “As soon as the band starts playing it’s as though the teenage Penelope rises up inside me and the music carries us forward with the audience. People remember these songs from their own youth and that aural memory stirs in them the same cathartic expression and release that we all feel. There’s a righteous unity that live performance can bring. That’s what I’m hoping to spread through these shows.”

Penelope Houston has continued as a musician creating her own music after the Avengers. She has released several solo albums that aree folk influenced receiving praise as the Queen of Neo-Folk music. She is also a visual artist and continues to work on projects documenting the early punk movement. She hopes that people will also remember her for her own music that she has created over the years beyond the Avengers. “Of course people will always remember me for my teenage work and representing women in the early punk scene, but I’d also like to be remembered for the stories in the songs I’ve written since the Avengers. I have found songwriting to be great way to tell stories about myself and other people.”

The Avengers are currently on tour accross the United States and will be in Cleveland on June 13th at the Beachland Tavern in a must see show. If you never heard the Avengers before it is time that you check them out and if you can see them live they are touring accross the United States.