Flatfoot 56
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| Flatfoot 56 | |
|---|---|
 Josh Robieson, the original bagpiper of Flatfoot 56 |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | Oi!, Celtic punk, Hardcore, Punk |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Flicker (2006-2008) Independent (2008-late 2009) Old Shoe (2009-present) |
| Website | Official site |
| Members | |
| Tobin Bawinkel Justin Bawinkel Kyle Bawinkel Eric McMahon Brandon Good |
|
| Past members | |
| Josh Robieson | |
Flatfoot 56 is a Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group's use of Scottish Highland bagpipes has led to their classification as a Celtic punk band, comparable to Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly.[1][2]
Contents |
[edit] History
The band formed in summer 2000 as a three-piece punk band. The three original members, who are brothers (Tobin Bawinkel, Justin Bawinkel, and Kyle Bawinkel), started writing songs in Fall 2000. By the Christmas season of the same year, they were playing their first concert. In January 2001, the band added Josh Robieson (bagpipes, guitar, mandolin) to the lineup and the band began including the Highland bagpipes and a second guitar into its sound.[3]
In 2001 they recorded their first demo, then in Summer 2002, the band recorded their first full length album, entitled Rumble of 56. This recording was done in Rockford, Illinois, in a studio called the Noise Chamber. Their second album, Waves of War, was released in 2003.[3] Their song, "That's OK," had heavy radio play on stations across the Midwestern United States.[citation needed] It has been known as one of the higher-rated songs Flatfoot 56 has ever played and is a crowd favorite at live performances.
In 2004, Flatfoot 56 performed at the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois for a crowd of about 700 people.[citation needed] It was at this concert that the band released their third album, Knuckles Up. It has been the band's best-selling record, and the group continues to record and tour. The band has been signed to Flicker Records and has re-released Knuckles Up through the label. Their fourth record, Jungle of the Midwest Sea, was released on May 15, 2007.[3]
After the release of their fourth album, the band embarked on tours. They also appeared in festivals like Skanksgiving '08,[4][5] Sonshine Festival 2008 and 2009, and the Warped Tour.[6] They are also set to appear at the Sonshine Festival 2011[7] They also appeared in the Warped Tour 2010 Tour Compilation album, and recorded a song for the Swingin Utters tribute album titled Untitled 21: A Juvenile Tribute to the Swingin' Utters.
In January 2009, the band announced on their website that they were recording a new, full-length album.[citation needed] On December 18 of the same year, it was officially announced that they had signed to California based Old Shoe Records for the release of their new album Black Thorn. The album was initially due for release St. Patricks Day (March 17) 2010, but was delayed until March 30, 2010.[citation needed] Upon its release, the album debuted at #2 on Billboard Heatseekers New Artist Chart. The first-week sales have also pushed the album into the Billboard Top 200 at #160, as well as other Billboard charts.[8]
The video for their 2010 single "Courage" was nominated for a 2010 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for 'Best Director.'
In 2010 the Flatfoot 56 songs "Shiny Eyes," "Son of Shame," and "We Grow Stronger" were featured in episodes 7, 8 and 9 of season 3 of the TV series Sons of Anarchy.[9]
The band is planning to start writing and recording new music in September 2011.[citation needed]
While not touring and playing with Flatfoot 56, Kyle Bawinkel sings for the hardcore side project Sexually Frustrated.[citation needed]
Flatfoot 56 also performed WWE superstar Johnny Curtis's theme, "I Told You So".[10]
[edit] Members
- Tobin Bawinkel - lead vocals, lead guitar
- Kyle Bawinkel - bass, vocals
- Justin Bawinkel - drums, vocals
- Eric McMahon - bagpipes, guitar, bass drum
- Brandon Good - mandolin, guitar, vocals
Former members
- Josh Robieson - mandolin, bagpipes
[edit] Chart positions
[edit] Black Thorn
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | The Billboard 200 | 160[11] |
| 2010 | Christian Albums | 11[11] |
| 2010 | Heatseekers Albums | 2[11] |
| 2010 | Independent Albums | 17[11] |
[edit] Awards
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Jungle of the Midwest Sea | Rock Album of the Year (Dove Award)[12] | Nominated |
| 2010 | Courage | Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence Off Camera[13] | Nominated |
[edit] Discography
- Rumble of 56 – 2002
- Waves of War – 2003
- Knuckles Up – 2004
- Knuckles Up (re-release) – 2006
- Jungle of the Midwest Sea – 2007
- Black Thorn – 2010
[edit] References
- ^ GlassPipeMurder. "Jungle of the Midwest Sea (2007)". Punk News. http://www.punknews.org/review/6315. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ^ Walsh, Jason. "Flatfoot 56: Black Thorn". AMP Magazine. http://www.ampmagazine.com/7960/flatfoot-56-black-thorn-by-jason-walsh/. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ^ a b c Monger, Christopher. "Flatfoot 56". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p799814. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ Skanksgiving posted 7.17.08
- ^ Ska Is Dead Tour presents Skanksgiving ‘08 Fest at AltPress
- ^ Flatfoot 56 steps to its own street-punk beat on Boston Herald; Thompson, Barry (Dec 15, 2010)
- ^ Sonshine Festival 2011 Artist Line-up
- ^ Flatfoot 56 debuts at #2 on Heatseekers chart on HM; Van Pelt, Doug
- ^ Thompson, Barry. "Flatfoot 56 steps to its own street-punk beat". Boston Herald. http://bh.heraldinteractive.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1303185&srvc=next_article. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ^ "I Told You So". iTunes. 2011-07-25. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wwe-i-told-you-so-johnny-curtis/id452713138. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ^ a b c d "Black Thorn - Flatfoot 56". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/album/flatfoot-56/black-thorn/1333901. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards". CBN.com. http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/news/021508doves.aspx. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ^ "Indie programming up for Nov. 6 Emmy Awards". ReelChicago. http://www.reelchicago.com/article/indie-programming-nov-6-emmy-awards?page=1. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
[edit] Further reading
- Esquibel, Annie (May/June 2007). "Flatfoot 56: A Musical Smorgasbord". HM Magazine (125): 36�??37. ISSN 1066-6923.
- Van Pelt, Doug (2010). "Flatfoot 56". HM Magazine. http://www.hmmagazine.com/2010/03/flatfoot-56/.
