The Avengers were a San Francisco-based hardcore/punk group which formed in 1977. The original line-up featured Penelope Houston on vocals; guitarist Greg Westermark (aka Greg Scars) on guitar; bassist Jonathan Postal; and Danny Furious (aka Danny Fearless) on drums. The band played its first gig at the Mabuhay Gardens in June 1977. At a later point, bassist Jonathan left to be replaced by Jimmy Wilsey (aka Jimmy Blaze).

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Seattle, Penelope headed back to California in 1977 to attend San Francisco's Art Institute. Soon after, 19-year-old Penelope found herself to be the lead singer and songwriter for The Avengers, who critic Greil Marcus described as "San Francisco's best punk band - in their moments, they were, you knew, better than any other band playing that night anywhere in the world."

In 1978, The Avengers opened for the Sex Pistols at the Pistols' last public performance at the Winterland Ballroom. This opening gig gave the Avengers a higher profile, and the Sex Pistols/Avengers connection continued after that with Steve Jones producing the Avengers' second single. The Avengers also went on to headline dates with the Go-Go's, X and the Dead Kennedys. Unfortunately, during the summer 1978, trouble began with the line-up: Greg left, Jimmy took over guitar, and many replacement bassists followed through the proverbial revolving door... after several months, the band inevitably broke apart, only two short years after they first got together.

When it was over, Penelope explored other worlds, moving first to Los Angeles to work in film and video, then on to England where she contributed to Howard Devoto's post-Magazine projects. Eventually, she returned to San Francisco and, listening to artists like Tom Waits and the Violent Femmes, was drawn to the possibilities inherent in the acoustic approach. She formed a band, toured the U.S. and Europe and with albums like 1993's critically acclaimed The Whole World, soon found herself front and center in the burgeoning world of neo-folk...Since then she has blended her influences of punk, folk, rock, blues and americana, in both acoustic and electric forms, on another 6 records. After years on both majors and independents, not unlike Aimee Mann and Jane Siberry, Penelope is starting her own label. Once In A Blue Moon, her 11th album and the first release on penelope.net records, is certain to capture the ears and hearts of her fans worldwide. (from penelope net, Penelope's own Website).

Most recently, she released the brand new CD Cut You through Warner with her new band.

Recent news: Penelope is still touring and recording. Besides her more modern material, she put out a fine Avengers compilation on CD in 2002, toured with some San Francisco Bay-area punkers performing old songs like the Scavengers, and was featured on a TV show with and cut singles with Green Day.

penelope net, the official avengers/penelope houston site

Corpus Christi, the Avengers/Penelope fan site