Dirty Penny
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Santa Cruz , United States |
| Products | Glam metal music, studio albums |
Dirty Penny was a glam metal ensemble originating from Santa Cruz, California, known for their American roots. Their musical approach, shaped by influences such as Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, Skid Row, Judas Priest, Poison, and Guns N' Roses, falls within the glam or sleaze metal genre. The group produced two studio albums: Take it Sleezy released in 2007 and Young & Reckless in 2009.
History
Established in Santa Cruz, Dirty Penny first attracted notice after winning a "Battle of the Bands" competition hosted by jpotmusic.com. Their sound has been characterized as "glittery-glam," "sex-fueled," and "leather-encased," reminiscent of the 1980s glam metal era popularized by acts like Mötley Crüe and Poison.
Originally performing as Antidote, a cover band focused on Poison's repertoire, they changed their name to Dirty Penny due to naming conflicts with a Dutch group. The band participated in all three editions of the Rocklahoma Festival, which helped broaden their presence within the glam metal community.
Bassist Tyno Vincent described their stylistic development:
"We began influenced by classic punk but transitioned towards glam metal as a reaction against our local scene... Punk often imposes many rules, which ironically contradicts its rebellious nature. Rock'n'roll embraces freedom—whether it involves lifestyle choices or fashion. Many are weary of the screamo 'I'm-not-okay' attitude. Music should be about enjoyment and escaping your worries."
“Antidote was our formative stage; Dirty Penny truly started with our debut album... Although initially perceived as a cover band in our area, we have since gained recognition from established metal musicians.”
Their first album, Take it Sleezy, was released on August 2, 2007. When they followed up with Young & Reckless on September 17, 2009, they presented a shift from their flashy glam appearance to a more modern aesthetic, while maintaining consistent musical style according to fans.
In mid-2009, Dirty Penny led a tour alongside Vains of Jenna. An incident during this tour, where a woman collided with their van, inspired the design of the Young & Wrecked tour poster.
Lead vocalist Binge Daniels amicably exited the group on October 25, 2010. Subsequently, on February 14, 2011, guitarist Jonny (Ian MacPherson) appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon performing with his band Wildstreet. Bassist Tyno Vincent (Tyler Molinaro) supported American Idol finalist James Durbin during his solo tour spanning 2011–12.
Members
Each member adopted a stage name:
- Vocals – Binge Daniels (Matt Biggam)
- Guitar – Jonny Prynce (Ian MacPherson)
- Bass – Tyno Vincent (Tyler Molinaro)
- Drums – Spanky Savage (Spencer Joseph)