Since the year 2000, FLATFOOT 56 have ste… Read Full Bio ↴http://www.flatfoot56.com/
Since the year 2000, FLATFOOT 56 have steadily unleashed a rollicking barrage of Celtic punk and folk-tinged hardcore from the South Side of Chicago to an international audience with intense and positive party-like energy. Coinciding with their 10-year anniversary, Flatfoot launched the release of their 3rd label-backed studio effort, Black Thorn, on March 30, 2010.
Led by spirited front man Tobin Bawinkel (Vocals/Guitar), along with brothers Justin (Drums), and Kyle (Bass), and multi-instrumentalists Eric McMahon (Bagpipes/Guitar) and Brandon Good (Mandolin/Guitar), the band is fueled by a sense of camaraderie that directly translates to their die-hard fans and highly energetic live shows. “We really try to create a positive environment every time we play so people feel comfortable and can let loose. It’s an experience that everyone is a part of,” explains Tobin.
Produced by the Street Dogs’ Johnny Rioux, Black Thorn tightly packs the quartet’s eclectic and driving musical charge into thirteen tracks that celebrate the pride of the working class and their Chicago roots. A collection of songs that delves into weighty thematic content, Tobin explains that the cohesive theme of Black Thorn is a fundamentally universal one. “Everyone goes through hardships, but you aren’t alone. Punk rock is about community and brotherhood. This record is our contribution to that.” As cathartic as it is ambitious, Black Thorn is an emphatic assault that remains vintage Flatfoot in its effortless combination of Celtic instrumentation and street corner punk rock. Bagpipes and mandolins remain just as vital as drums and guitars in defining Flatfoot’s sound.
While other bands run the risk of turning their message into overbearing banter from high on the soapbox, FLATFOOT 56 remain true to their ability to convey the profound all while allowing fans to get lost in the sheer energy of the music. The band’s multi-faceted approach to their craft, both in substance and in presentation, ensures that from the novice to the die-hard fan, everyone walks away with a reason to come back. After ten years of tour vans, dive bars, late nights, diverse crowds, broken bones, blood, sweat, and tears, FLATFOOT 56 offers sincere semblance of the tradition behind the music. When you have a reason to sing, you will sing louder. And when you have a reason to dance, you will bring the house down brick by brick.
The band’s sonic arsenal, which includes classic rough-and-tumble albums Knuckles Up and Jungle Of The Midwest Sea, captures both the nostalgia of brass tacks street punk and hardcore as well as inspiration taken from traditional Celtic folk. Within this musical fury, FLATFOOT 56 attacks dark and pressing subject matter—avarice, strength, faithlessness, courage, and cowardice—that speaks volumes of the values and principles on which the band was founded.
The band’s new album, Black Thorn, was released on Old Shoe Records in the United States, Stomp Records in Canada, People Like You Records in Europe, and Big Mouth Japan in Japan.
Brotherhood
Flatfoot 56 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember the boys who took a stand,
Who stood there strong when things got rough,
They would shout and scream at the things that were tough,
No weapon formed against them would live,
A punch to the face, a kick to the rib
Their cause was justice and they strove to be pure,
All of hell shook when their knees hit the floor,
Never look back never give up,
There's someone behind who will pick you up,
I got a sword in my hand and I'm ready for the attack.
Raise up the flag let them see,
Our creed is a symbol for those who are free,
We fight against evil, we fight against sin,
Our battles not outward, our battles within.
The lyrics of Flatfoot 56's song Brotherhood evoke a strong sense of camaraderie, loyalty, and determination. The singer remembers the boys who took a stand and never gave up, even when things got rough. They were relentless in their pursuit of justice and purity, and their resilience was such that no weapon formed against them could prevail. They fought against evil and sin not only in the outside world but also within themselves.
The chorus of the song encourages the listener to never look back or give up but instead to have faith that someone will always be there to pick them up. The singer declares that they have a sword in their hand and are ready to fight back against any attack.
Overall, the song's message is one of strength, perseverance, and community. The Brotherhood that the song speaks of is not just a group of like-minded people, but rather a family bound by a common purpose and unshakeable loyalty.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk through this land,
While walking through this land, I remember and honor the brave boys who took a stand.
Who stood there strong when things got rough,
These boys were steadfast and remained unwavering in the face of adversity and difficulties.
They would shout and scream at the things that were tough,
They would use their voices to express their dissatisfaction and their disdain towards tough situations.
No weapon formed against them would live,
They were unbreakable and invincible, and no weapon could harm them.
A punch to the face, a kick to the rib
Even if they were physically attacked, they would stand strong.
Their cause was justice and they strove to be pure,
Their purpose was to achieve justice, and they worked hard to remain free from impurities.
All of hell shook when their knees hit the floor,
Even the underworld was shaken when they got on their knees to pray.
Never look back never give up,
They believed in perseverance and never lost hope in their cause.
There's someone behind who will pick you up,
The boys had faith in the idea that there would always be someone behind them, supporting them and lifting them up.
I got a sword in my hand and I'm ready for the attack.
The artist is prepared to defend themselves, symbolically showing their unwavering commitment to their cause.
Raise up the flag let them see,
The flag represents their beliefs, and they want everybody to see it.
Our creed is a symbol for those who are free,
Their beliefs and values serve as a representation for those who live in freedom.
We fight against evil, we fight against sin,
Their battle is against evil and immoral actions.
Our battles not outward, our battles within.
Their struggle is with themselves, to remain pure and true to their values and beliefs.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JUSTIN LOU BAWINKEL, KYLE DAVID BAWINKEL, Tobin James BAWINKEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Taylor Pike
As I walk through this land,
I remember the boys who took a stand,
Who stood there strong when things got tough,
They would shout and scream at the things that were rough,
No weapon formed against them would live,
A punch to the face, a kick to the rib
Their cause was justice and they strove to be pure,
All of hell shook when their knees hit the floor,
Never look back never give up,
There's someone behind who will pick you up,
I got a sword in my hand and I'm ready for the attack.
Raise up the flag let them see,
Our creed is a symbol for those who are free,
We fight against evil, we fight against sin,
Our battles not outward, our battles within
Girassol
Radical! Uma Banda Punk Cristã! Simplesmente Maravilhosa!!! Vocês são Incríveis!!✝️❤🇧🇷🇺🇸 Deus os abençoe,Oi! OI! OI!
tufejk tufejk
Na Zdrowie Panowie!!! God Bless!!!🇺🇸🇨🇮🇵🇱
Taylor Pike
As I walk through this land,
I remember the boys who took a stand,
Who stood there strong when things got tough,
They would shout and scream at the things that were rough,
No weapon formed against them would live,
A punch to the face, a kick to the rib
Their cause was justice and they strove to be pure,
All of hell shook when their knees hit the floor,
Never look back never give up,
There's someone behind who will pick you up,
I got a sword in my hand and I'm ready for the attack.
Raise up the flag let them see,
Our creed is a symbol for those who are free,
We fight against evil, we fight against sin,
Our battles not outward, our battles within
ijohn: withers
Good job. God bless you!
J J
What a blast from the past. This band was really popular among a lot of people I knew back in high school and a lot of the punks and skins. They were pretty fun shows. I wonder if everyone in the video is doing the same thing over a decade later, I sure am! Thanks for the memories Flatfoot
Nikki C
Still punk. Just livin’ on the west coast for the last 9 1/2 years. I do miss all the good shows back home in Chicago though!
Yes Grandma, it’s soft
Flatfoot 56 needs to do more songs like this. They've gotten skimpy on the pipes.
LuNCHBoXTBHC
saw them at warped tour last year, and got to hang with them a few years back. Tobin and his brothers are great guys and I was sad to here josh left the band, real humble guys, can't wait for them to come back to FL always have a great time with these guys.
iikaptain
Theres nothing better than a great celtic punk band! And theyre amazing live! I LOVE FLATFOOT 56!!!
wamyen
Bringing Celtic music to a newer generation. I love it!