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.
Courage
Flatfoot 56 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This one's coming out your stereo
the way it was always meant to be sung.
Born to a fighter on the deep South side
A sweaty blue collar but you didnt mind
The cost of a family meant your blood and tears
Fourteen hours in a world of gears
Your daughter your son the joy of your life
You bore the weight with a steadfast air
The world around you just didnt care
Courage your name means something to me
These heroes they last through time
Courage your name means something to me
A champion of the daily grind
Not because of a movie or a magazine
But because of your example you inspired me
Sacrifice in the midst of pain
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name
You hit the beaches in the Second World War
You carried it with you when you came home
Everyday was a courage fight
A colored soul in a world of white.
Courage your name means something to me
These heroes they last through time
Courage your name means something to me
A champion of the daily grind
Not because of a movie or a magazine
But because of your example you inspired me
Sacrifice in the midst of pain
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name
Go!
Courage it means something to me
These heroes they last through time
Courage your name means something to me
A champion of the daily grind
Courage your name means something to me
These heroes they last through time
Courage your name means something to me
A champion of the daily grind
Not because of a movie or a magazine
But because of your example you inspired me
Sacrifice in the midst of pain
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name
The song "Courage" by Flatfoot 56 is a tribute to a man who epitomizes the meaning of the word "courage." The singer in the song tells the story of this man who was born on the deep South side, the son of a fighter and a sweaty blue-collar worker. The man's life was not easy; he had to work long hours in a world of gears to support his family. His wife died, leaving him to raise their children alone. Despite the challenges, he bore the weight with a steadfast air, and he inspired people around him with his example of courage.
The man had fought in the Second World War and had carried his courage with him when he came home. The song praises the man for his heroic deeds and the sacrifices he had made. The lyrics are emotional and touching and bring a tear to the listener's eye.
The song "Courage" by Flatfoot 56 is a tribute to ordinary people who exhibit extraordinary courage in their daily lives. It is a reminder that courage is not just confined to the battlefield, but it is also present in the struggles of everyday life. The song has a strong message of inspiration and encouragement and celebrates the unsung heroes of our society.
Line by Line Meaning
(SPOKEN) Check one. Check one two.
Announcing the start of the song.
This one's coming out your stereo
The song is meant to be heard as it is.
the way it was always meant to be sung.
The song should be heard the way it was intended to be.
Born to a fighter on the deep South side
The artist comes from a family of tough people living in the southern part of the city.
A sweaty blue collar but you didnt mind
The family was working class and they did not mind hard work.
The cost of a family meant your blood and tears
It takes a lot of effort and sacrifice to maintain a family.
Fourteen hours in a world of gears
The singer works fourteen hours a day in a factory setting.
Your daughter your son the joy of your life
The artist takes pride in his children.
Theyre all that remain of your cherished wife
The artist's wife has passed away and his children are all that he has left of her.
You bore the weight with a steadfast air
The artist carries the burden of the family with a strong and unwavering attitude.
The world around you just didnt care
The singer feels ignored by the world but continues to carry on.
Courage your name means something to me
The artist admires people with courage.
These heroes they last through time
Courageous people are remembered and celebrated throughout history.
A champion of the daily grind
Those that work hard everyday are heroes too.
Not because of a movie or a magazine
True heroism is not found in mass media but in real life examples.
But because of your example you inspired me
The artist has been inspired by a real-life example of courage.
Sacrifice in the midst of pain
True sacrifice is found in the midst of struggle and pain.
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name
The singer is moved emotionally when he hears the name of someone with courage.
You hit the beaches in the Second World War
The singer is remembering a person who fought in World War II.
You carried it with you when you came home
The person carried the memories and experiences of war with him after returning home.
Everyday was a courage fight
Life after war is a constant struggle and requires courage.
A colored soul in a world of white.
The person is a minority in a predominantly white world.
Go!
An exclamation meant to encourage and motivate.
Courage it means something to me
The artist reiterates his admiration for courage.
A champion of the daily grind
The daily struggle requires courage and those who manage it are champions.
Not because of a movie or a magazine
True heroism is not about media portrayal but rather real life struggles overcome with courage.
But because of your example you inspired me
Real life examples of courage are inspiring and create a ripple effect.
Sacrifice in the midst of pain
True sacrifice is found in times of hardship and pain.
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name
The person with courage is emotionally moving even in memory.
Contributed by Lila D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@strongstylelobo7683
Check one. Check one, two...
This one’s coming at your stereo....
Born to a fighter on the deep South side.
A sweaty blue collar, but you didn’t mind.
The cost of a family meant your blood and tears.
Fourteen hours in a world of gears.
Your daughter, your son, the joy of your life.
They’re all that remain of your cherished wife.
You bore the weight with a steadfast air.
The world around you just didn’t care.
Courage, your name means something to me.
These heroes, they last through time.
Courage, your name means something to me.
A champion of the daily grind.
Not because of a movie or a magazine,
but because of your example you inspired me.
Sacrifice in the midst of pain.
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name.
You hit the beaches in the Second World War.
You carried it with you when you came home.
Everyday was a courage fight.
A colored soul in a world of white.
Courage, your name means something to me.
These heroes, they last through time.
Courage, your name means something to me.
A champion of the daily grind.
Not because of a movie or a magazine,
but because of your example you inspired me.
Sacrifice in the midst of pain.
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name...
Go...
Courage, it means something to me.
These heroes, they last through time.
Courage, your name means something to me.
A champion of the daily grind.
Courage, your name means something to me.
These heroes, they last through time.
Courage, your name means something to me.
A champion of the daily grind.
Not because of a movie or a magazine,
but because of your example you inspired me.
Sacrifice in the midst of pain.
You bring a tear to my eye when I hear your name...
@matheusfrota95
This songs reminds me father. Great hard worker Portuguese man.... Had a life of struggle and some tragedies... And he kept strong all the way ! Cheers to all the european working class !
@chrisfalcon9804
God bless you.
@personreanimation
Uhuru
@afterthought3341
No sh!t sunshine, I'm only here because of gaylord McInnes.@@personreanimation
@christianromero6604
Hey! This band...the big tip of the hat...will ALWAYS have the HIGHEST RESPECT from me.......U gentleman will go down in history as GENTLEMAN!.......RESPECT. from the bottom of my heart.. Mr Christian Romero 8/5/1984
@VivaRevolucionDGS
That tip of the cap at the end from Tobin gets me in the feels every time.
@christianromero6604
Same...it really does create a tear to the eye
@mondiman2574
I remember the lead singer from teaching me in high-school now I listen to all his music
@matthewmackenzie3504
I remember when these guys were the band for my youth group in Chicago
@Sharpie360
i remember seeing these guys so many times up in the twin cities, one show they had a prayer circle and i couldnt be prouder to be standing with them. such great guys. glad to see after all these years theyre still kickin ass!