On the frigid Sunday evening of December 4 I ventured out to Seattle’s foremost punk club El Corazon. This time it was for Chicago Celtic punkers Flatfoot fifty Six.
Though I’ve seen this band multiple times, they never cease to amaze me.
They hit the stage already on fire churning out tunes complete with mandolin and bagpipes.
FF 56 was founded by three brothers — Tobin Bawinkel – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Kyle Bawinkel – bass, vocals & Justin Balwinkel who is no longer in the band but made an appearance for this show. He was also the highlight. He came on stage cracking jokes and spouting barbs at his brothers which in turn caused sibling responses that were hilarious. He then belted out a raucous, gutty bellowing rendition of Surfin’ Bird. Dear readers, you have not lived until you’ve heard Surfin’ Bird done live complete with bagpipes. The band followed up with a medley of You Are My Sunshine, This Land Is Your Land & Dirty Old Town.
Tobin stands six foot ten inches and his massive size totally contrasted with the tenderness in which he sang those songs. They ended their show with their version of I’ll Fly Away. After they left the stage though a handful of people on the dance floor continued singing it.
I have seen Rivers Cuomo sing Beverly Hills from atop a Porta-potty and I have seen Surfing’ Bird sung live with a bagpipe accompaniment. I think my life may be complete now. The remainder of FF 56 are Josh Robieson on mandolin & bagpipes and Jon Nowicki – drums (he only broke a sweat at the very end of the show) and filling in on guitar was Kevin McNeil.
Prior to FF 56 was a band from Bend, Oregon calling themselves Beyond the Lamplight. These guys totally rocked out and clearly had fun on stage. Beyond the Lamplight is the new project of two members of Larry & His Flask (Ian Cook and Andrew Carew). This is a band with tight harmonies and some lighting fast banjo picking. I will definitely see them again when they come around.
Preceding Beyond the Lamplight was Seattle’s own Kids On Fire. This is a band I’ve seen multiple times and they never cease to amaze me either. Kids On Fire play an amazing pop punk style music with a heavier emphasis on the punk. What amazed me the most is that they managed to somehow resurrect Ginger Baker to play drums for them. He now goes by the name Kevin LaBarre, but it was definitely Ginger Baker brought back to life. He slammed away like a mad man, shirtless and covered in tattoos. His long hair flew across his face so much that it looked like a tattooed wig flailing away. This is another band that barely stays in on spot at any given moment. There wasn’t a time when one of them wasn’t running across the stage, trading places with each other, then returning from where they started. They totally set not only the stage, but the entire club on fire. Johnny Larson- guitar/vox, Mikey Sellars- guitar/vox and Sam Kim – bass/vox round out Kids On Fire. It was fun seeing them again.
Starting the evening was Heart Smashers. Hailing from Tacoma, these guys were also piping hot. They also played a pop punk style music but with a slightly heavier emphasis on the pop. Think New Found Glory meets Blink 182 and you get a slight idea of what they sound like. Those who came later and missed them, all I can say is you missed a gem.
Heart Smashers consist of, Jason Vermin” on guitar,”Just Matt” on Bass, Ali Han on drums, Bryan Gomez on guitar and Geoff Breath on vocals.
