The Penguins' first gig was in 1984, at a talent show, when the band members were 12 years old. From then until around 1991/1992, the Penguins played venues big and small, all over the US and internationally. They played school dances, town festivals, trucker conventions, and of course dozens if not hundreds of events in the U.S. and abroad for the drug prevention and education organization Youth to Youth.

Early members Simon, Jacob, Cory and Jeremy had known each other since kindergarten. Matt DeVore joined up somewhere around the 6th grade, Matt Rees somewhere in junior high or high school, and sound-man/tech Jason Hilliard in high school.

A bunch of us still play music more or less professionally...

Jacob Sweet is a music teacher and professional musician in Chicago.

Simon Sweet toured the world in several notable bands and worked as a professional musician in Chicago, and now lives with his family in Columbus.

Matt Rees plays professionally in Columbus and teaches for Westerville Schools.

Matt DeVore went on to tour the country for years in his Indianapolis-based band Push Down and Turn.

Cory Hance toured and recorded in the Cells and Box-O-Car out of Chicago, and still plays a lot in the Chicago area.

Jeremy Nye had a brilliant musical and theater career in high school, college and a bit beyond (?) before achieving success in finance in the UK.

Jason Hilliard still writes and records music.

...but before all that we had a heck of a ride for a bunch of teenagers as the Penguins.