Flatfoot 56 - History

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.

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. Their song, "That's OK," had heavy radio play on stations across the Midwestern United States. 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. 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.

After the release of their fourth album, the band embarked on tours. They also appeared in festivals like Skanksgiving '08, Sonshine Festival 2008 and 2009, and the Warped Tour. They are also set to appear at the Sonshine Festival 2011 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. 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. Upon its release, the album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard Heatseekers New Artist Chart. The first-week sales have also pushed the album into the Billboard Top 200 at No. 160, as well as other Billboard charts.

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.

The band is planning to start writing and recording new music in September 2011.

While not touring and playing with Flatfoot 56, Kyle Bawinkel sings for the hardcore side project Sexually Frustrated.

Flatfoot 56 also performed WWE superstar Johnny Curtis's theme, "I Told You So". The band also performed a version of irish-born WWE superstar Sheamus's theme.