FLATFOOT 56 to perform a FREE show for Southern California fans.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Mar. 17, 2009 – Coinciding with the March 30, 2010 release of FLATFOOT 56’s, Black Thorn, Old Shoe Records has announced a Sunday, MARCH 29^th, 2010 date for an open-to-the-public, FREE performance from FLATFOOT 56. Supported by label mates THE SPARRING, as well as sets from San Diego’s RAT CITY RIOT, and newcomers YOUR ARSENAL, Orange County’s only no cover venue, THE SLIDEBAR ROCK N’ ROLL Café will play host to this special event. Celebrating 10 years of blood, sweat, and tears, FLATFOOT 56’s Black Thorn, was produced by Johnny Rioux of STREET DOGS and has already been heralded by critics as the band’s most captivating work to date.

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), FLATFOOT 56 is fueled by a sense of camaraderie that directly translates to their die-hard fans and highly energetic live shows.

The forthcoming new album, 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.

Already building momentum for 2010, Flatfoot 56 has been confirmed for a supporting run on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour. Starting July 11^th and ending August 2^nd, the run will include a hometown performance in Chicago that will prove historic for the Windy City natives. Currently, the band is touring alongside PROJECT 86 throughout the nation.

Celebrating a decade of punk rock with a purpose, Flatfoot 56 is a welcome addition to the Old Shoe Records family.  Additionally, Black Thorn will be released by Stomp Records in Canada and I Hate People Records in Europe, and distributed by Big Mouth Japan in Japan.

To RSVP, or to coordinate editorial coverage for this special engagement, please email Ramon@oldshoerecords.com

One lucky winner will receive: Roundtrip airfare to Chicago for two (2), hotel accommodations, All Access passes for the show and the party, a meet and greet with Flatfoot 56, and a bunch of swag from Old Shoe Records.

For more information, visit ABSOLUTEPUNK.NET

I was first introduced to this ragged, rabble-rousing crew when I heard their last album, “Jungle of the Midwest Sea”. From the haunting drums and bellowing sea shanties of the intro, ‘The Galley Slave’ you were launched directly into a punk-rock assault they entitled, ‘Carry ‘Em Out’. They had my number, I was hooked. How could you possibly top that?

Fast-forward a few years and with ‘The Galley Slave’ sitting high-atop my favorite album intros, across my plate comes, “Black Thorn”, an album that is promptly being released on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) of this year. Here we go… let’s see what they have in store. READ MORE