Rounding out what has been an unprecedented year in the band’s decade of existence, FLATFOOT 56 are gearing up to once again hit the road, adding some weight to a few of the season’s best tickets. First, Flatfoot will join with STREET DOGS for the fifth annual “Wreck The Halls” tour. The eight-night run begins Dec 8th, 2010 in Houston, TX, and includes an already sold out show in Boston, MA. Building on the momentum that accumulated throughout 2010, Flatfoot immediately charges into 2011 beginning a run of dates on January 4, 2011 with Phoenix, Arizona street punks Authority Zero. Running throughout the month of January and well into February, the quartet continues to solidify their reputation for being one of the hardest working bands in the genre.
Releasing BLACK THORN in the spring of 2010, the band would debut at #2 on Billboard’s HeatseekersChart, in addition to achieving healthy positions on the Billboard Top 200, the Billboard Top Independent Current Albums Chart, Top Alternative Rock Chart, Top Rock Chart, Top Current Albums Chart and Top Internet Sales Charts.
Married to the road, the band spent the majority of the calendar year touring in support of their Old Shoe Records debut. Performing abroad on the international festival circuit, supporting runs with the likes of Devil’s Brigade (Matt Friedman of Rancid) and Street Dogs, in addition to a critically applauded stint on the Vans Warped Tour, FLATFOOT 56 proved triumphant in every stop along the way.
FLATFOOT 56’s broad appeal and universally inspiring themes have managed to resonate with people outside of the punk rock scope just the same. Producers of the FX Network hit Sons of Anarchy recently connected with FLATFOOT 56 to use not one, but six tracks from BLACK THORN in episodes of the latest season of the series. FLATFOOT 56 was also tapped to record the new entrance theme for the WWE’s (Word Wrestling Entertainment) Raw Champion, Sheamus and will also provide a track to the upcoming WWE movie, The Chaperone, featuring wrestler Triple H.
As 2010 marks the 10-year anniversary for FLATFOOT 56, the latest album compacts the band’s celebrated history of eclectic and driving musical charge into thirteen tracks that highlight the pride of the working class and their Chicago roots. The release of BLACK THORN has sent a tidal wave of energy from FLATFOOT 56’s international mob following while being matched with critical praise:
ALTERNATIVE PRESS:“There are bagpipes and mandolin gilded to the hard-charging chassis, but these 10-year Chicago scene vets know how to play, and even better, pen suitably triumphant songs awash in resilient spirit.” (April 2010)
HM MAGAZINE:“Black Thornjigs, pulses, sways, mesmerizes and kicks up the heels – sometimes all within the same song structure.” (March/April 2010)
PUNK ROCK REVIEW:“Black Thorn is filled to the rim with Celtic-influenced, high intensity gang vocal laden, heavy hitting song after song…Each intricate musical piece of this band is perfectly combined.” (March 2010)
DYING SCENE:“It is no wonder that FLATFOOT 56 has risen above the rest and gained the notoriety they so rightfully deserve.” 5 out of 5 stars! (April 2010)
ABSOLUTE PUNK.NET: “The Celtic punk rockers from Chicago are back, and while the recorded disc cannot possibly capture the euphoric atmosphere of a Flatfoot 56 live show, they’re getting closer than ever.” (April 2010)
With no slowing in sight, the band will likely be in a city near you and continues to write new material with plans to enter a studio for the next go around soon.
Black Thornis available in stores and online now from Old Shoe Records in the US, Stomp Records in Canada, People Like You Records in Europe (March 2011) and distributed by Big Mouth Japan in Japan.
For an up-to-date listing of tour stops, exclusive content,
and all things FLATFOOT 56, visit:
FLATFOOT 56 Live
WRECK THE HALLS w/ Street Dogs
12/6/2010 Memphis, Tennessee Murphy’s Pub (solo – no Street Dogs)
12/7/2010 Hot Springs, Arkansas Maxine’s Pub (solo – no Street Dogs)
12/8/2010 Houston, Texas The Studio @ Warehouse Live (Wreck The Halls Tour)
12/10/2010 Nashville, Tennessee The Muse (Wreck The Halls Tour)
12/11/2010 Charlotte, North Carolina Tremont Music Hall (Wreck The Halls Tour)
12/12/2010 Baltimore, Maryland The Ottobar (Wreck The Halls Tour)
12/13/2010 Jermyn, Pennsylvania Eleanor Rigby’s (solo – no Street Dogs)
12/14/2010 Asbury Park, New Jersey Asbury Lanes (Wreck The Halls Tour)
12/15/2010 Hartford, Connecticut Webster Underground (Wreck The Halls Tour)
12/17/2010 Boston, Massachusetts The Paradise (Wreck The Halls Tour)
12/18/2010 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania The Spy Club (solo – no Street Dogs)
12/31/2010 Chicago, Illinois Beat Kitchen (w/ The Tossers)
W/ AUTHORITY ZERO
1/1/2011 Chicago, Illinois Beat Kitchen (solo – no Authority Zero)
1/4/2011 Colorado Springs, Colorado Black Sheep w/ Authority Zero
1/5/2011 Denver, Colorado Marquis Theater w/ Authority Zero
1/8/2011 Cleveland, Ohio Peabody’s w/ Authority Zero
1/12/2011 Atlanta, Georgia Masquerade w/ Authority Zero
1/13/2011 Jacksonville, Georgia The Pit w/ Authority Zero
1/14/2011 Satellite Beach, Florida Sports Page w/ Authority Zero
1/15/2011 Phoenix, Arizona Rage Fest (no Authority Zero)
1/16/2011 Phoenix, Arizona Rage Fest (no Authority Zero)
1/19/2011 Beaumont, Texas The Gig w/ Authority Zero
1/20/2011 Dallas, Texas Trees w/ Authority Zero
1/21/2011 Corpus Christi, Texas House of Rock w/ Authority Zero
1/22/2011 Houston, Texas Scout Bar w/ Authority Zero
1/23/2011 Austin, Texas Emo’s (small room) w/ Authority Zero
1/25/2011 Albuquerque, New Mexico Launch Pad w/ Authority Zero
1/27/2011 Tucson, Arizona The Rock w/ Authority Zero
2/04/2011 Dekalb, Illinois House Café (solo – no Authority Zero)
2/05/2011 St. Louis, Missouri Firebird (solo – no Authority Zero)
(More dates to be added to this tour)
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