Flatfoot 56 has been playing brazen Irish punk rock in the Chicago area since 2000. Now the band of three brothers (and a friend) are ready to whip the masses into a frenzy with their debut release "Knuckles Up". Guitars, drums, bagpipes and a mandolin fuel the band's up front energy that reaches out and grabs even the sleepiest of cynics. With Flatfoot 56, standing in the back is not an option.
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It seems like every few years or so a band comes along that leaves you scratching your head. Are they for real? A one-shot wonder? A gimmick? For those of you old enough to remember them, I'm thinking of bands like One Bad Pig, The Swirling Eddies, etc. C'mon. A band that plays "Celtic Punk"? Gotta be something strange going on.
Indeed, something strange and wonderful is going on with Knuckles Up, the major label debut of self-labeled Celtic Punk band Flatfoot 56. The band actually has two previous indie releases, The Rumble of 56 (2002) and Waves of War (2003), not to mention a fanatically loyal fan-following and an intense live performance. A quick run through the checklist reveals Flatfoot 56 brings to the table Clannish membership (Yup- three of the four members are brothers.); Irish melodies (Oh my, yes.); Scottish bagpipes? (Aye); Clever and amusing rhymes (Uh huh); and a tempo that never lets up.
Brother Justin Bawinkle sets the very vigorous beat with pounding kick & snare drums and ringing cymbals. Brother Kyle reinforces the beat with his bass and Josh (no relation to the brothers) adds mandolin, bagpipes and a second guitar to the raw mix. From beginning to end, brother Tobin delivers the lyrics in a throaty, brassy yell, while sustaining a blistering pace with lead guitar.
If you are a fan of old school punk, think The Pogues, The Clash, etc., then by all means cinch on your Donegal tweed kilt, pull on your Aran Isle sweater, grab your shillelagh and fetch you a copy of these here tunes. Just remember, you may need to kick some lollygagger's shins so you can grab your copy of Knuckles Up. And rest assured, these tunes will not kill any old cows. (Translation- bad tunes kill old cows, according to an Irish proverb.)
I can't believe it!| Posted March 25, 2008
I was a fan of Flatfoot when they first started and was amazed to see them on here! Although I have grown out of that taste of music, I'll still support them!
Sat's review blurb| Posted July 07, 2007
Its quite possible the catchiest and most energetic punk disc in quite some time!
Personal favorites are 'Brotherhood' 'Breaking the law' and The incredible rockin cover of 'Amazing Grace'
this is a highly reccommended cd if you like the genre, and If so, is definately worht a listen!!
Sat's review blurb| Posted July 07, 2007
Its quite possible the catchiest and most energetic punk disc in quite some time!
Personal favorites are 'Brotherhood' 'Breaking the law' and The incredible rockin cover of 'Amazing Grace'
this is a highly reccommended cd if you like the genre, and If so, is definately worht a listen!!
I Love This CD| Posted July 07, 2007
Punk/Rock with the Bagpipes and Mandoline(spelling?)= Celtic Punk! it dosn\'t get much better than this.
My favorite songs on the CD are Probably Brotherhood and Amazing Grace, it\'s like a rock version of Amazing Grace with the traditional amwesome Bagpipe intro, i love it.
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