Pennywise Gig Turns Into Near-Riot

More than 50 police officers in riot gear were called to a Pennywise gig in Long Beach California last Saturday. Following the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, a 6pm show by the revered Hermosa Beach-based punk band escalated into a near riot when police barred hundreds of people from entering the concert -- held on the lawn of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center -- after it had reached capacity.

According to Officer Jackie Bezart, a spokeswoman for the Long Beach Police Department, "The crowd got somewhat unruly and bottles were thrown at officers. At that point we deployed additional officers to maintain crowd control." Five people with minor injuries from the concert or possibly from the altercation outside the venue were transported to area hospitals.

Onlookers, however, told a reporter from the local Press-Telegram newspaper that police were "hitting people with clubs," and a "a 40- or 50-year-old man was Tased. His eyes were stone cold." The band has yet to make a statement about the incident.