Playing a positive-natured brand of hardcore-tinged Celtic punk, Flatfoot 56 has been unleashing itself upon America and the rest of the world for over 20 years now. Forming in 2000, the Chicago natives achieved nationwide attention with their first two label-backed records, 2006’s Knuckles Up and 2007’s Jungle of the Midwest Sea. These releases built on a heavy dose of previously established regional notoriety, helping the band gain steam early on.

While each record received its fair share of acclaim, the quintet exploded onto a new level with 2010’s Black Thorn. Landing the band on a total of 9 Billboard Charts, Flatfoot 56 proved it could consistently reach an expanding audience while treading in a genre not often associated with widespread success. This success was advanced even further with song placements in the hit TV series
“Sons of Anarchy” and the video game “Watchdogs”.

After the success of “Blackthorn” Flatfoot hit the studio yet again in 2012 to record their Paper and plastic records backed “Toil” album. This album would further solidify the band as a consistent force to be reckoned with.

Flatfoot 56’s latest full-length album, entitled “Odd Boat”, was produced by Matt Allison at Atlas studios in Chicago. “We decided that since the last experience at Atlas Studios was so beneficial, we wanted to repeat it,” Bawinkel said. “We have been friends with Matt for a few years now and we love the work that he and his studio engineers do.”

“Odd Boat” was a self-released album. “We have been working with labels so long that we decided that we wanted to have more of a say in how our music gets distributed and promoted. We are excited about this next season,” Bawinkel said. “As a band we have all grown a lot over the years and we wanted to stretch ourselves even further. Self release is a good way to do this.”

In 2018, Flatfoot 56 released the E.P. “The Vancouver Sessions”. In this E.P., they restyled and recorded original songs from multiple albums acoustically. Some fans prefer these acoustic versions over their original versions as they highlight and emphasize the great storytelling element of these ballads.

In 2022, Flatfoot 56 released their first Split E.P. They joined forces with the amazing band,The Rumjacks, and each released three new and original songs. They are available on vinyl, for digital download, and playing on Spotify and other streaming services.

Frontman Tobin Bawinkel (vocals/guitar) is now set to lead Flatfoot 56 back into the studio. Armed with his brother Kyle (bass), along with their original piper Josh Robieson (bagpipes/mandolin), and Dan Alfonsi (Drums), Flatfoot 56 is in the process of writing their 8th full-length studio album. 

TSUNAMI BOMB is a dynamic and energetic punk rock band that originated just north of the San Francisco Bay Area in a town called Petaluma, California. Formed at the every end of the 1990s, the group quickly gained recognition for their distinctive blend of melodic punk, post-hardcore, and pop-punk influences. With driving guitar riffs, dynamic keyboards, powerful dual vocals, and thought-provoking lyrics, TSUNAMI BOMB has captivated audiences with their raw emotion and high-energy performances. Their music often explores themes of personal struggles, resilience, and social commentary, resonating with listeners on a deep level and inspiring a devout cult following for their anthemic singalongs and dark melodies.

TSUNAMI BOMB’s debut album, “The Ultimate Escape” on Kung Fu Records received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone later naming it as one of their Top 50 Pop-Punk albums of all time. Despite line-up changes, TSUNAMI BOMB’s resilience has allowed them to release multiple albums through the years, including their most recent LP,
“The Spine That Binds” on Jello Biafra’s label, Alternative Tentacles Records. Their ability to infuse emotional depth into their impactful and unforgettable songs has long established their contribution to shaping the punk rock landscape.

With a longtime lineup consisting of founding bassist Dominic Davi, whose pulsating driving rhythms anchor the band’s music, founding keyboardist/vocalist Oobliette Sparks, whose haunting melodies and powerhouse vocals add depth and texture, founding drummer Gabe Lindeman, whose thunderous beats drive the band’s relentless energy, singer Kate Jacobi, whose emotive vocals lead the charge with passion and intensity, and guitarist Andrew Pohl, whose searing riffs and unforgettable dynamic tone elevate the band’s sonic landscape.

Over the years, TSUNAMI BOMB has evolved and matured while always staying true to their signature sound. Continuing to push boundaries and deliver an experience that is both powerful and unforgettable, solidifying TSUNAMI BOMB’s place as a prominent force within the punk rock scene.

International touring & recording artist, Dylan Walshe, was born & raised in Dublin, Ireland. Dylan went on to hone his craft, as a solo acoustic performer, in London, then Europe, before eventually moving to Nashville, Tennessee. Currently residing in the southern highlands of Black Mountain, in western North Carolina, Dylan has headlined tours around much of the US, Europe & the UK & has been billed alongside many pioneers in music, as well as touring as the opener for artists as diverse as Flogging Molly, The White Buffalo & Avatar. This year, AVLFest invited Dylan to close out Saturday night at the Wortham Theatre, for their inaugural festival event in Asheville, North Carolina. Primarily a singer-songwriter, Dylan also sings traditional songs of the working classes & reinterprets a wide spectrum of songs in his own authentic inimitable style. Dylan has received plaudits from such greats as Christy Moore, who nominated Dylan’s work for the Irish Folk Music Awards saying, “Dylan’s a wordsmith & a fair chanter, it does my heart good to hear him sing, I love his voice & the way he’s using it, he is a true Irish ballad singer & I admire his work”. While Dylan mostly identifies as a Folk & Roots Singer-Songwriter, his solo acoustic performances have also been brought to Punk, Ska, Celtic & Heavy Metal audiences throughout his 27 years of being a performer. With his most recent album of original compositions, All Manner Of Ways (featuring James Fearnley of The Pogues, Andy Gibson of Hank III, Micah Hulscher of Emmylou Harris, John Mailander of Bruce Hornsby), there is a depth & a timelessness in his writing & voice, which is rare to find in contemporary art & music. The Irish Edition had this to say on the album, “Dylan Walshe has taken up the reins from the likes of Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, with poignant, poetic lyrics and memorable tunes..”, while No Depression said “His voice is so strong and expressive, at once so holy and damned it can shake heaven and hell simultaneously. This suggests the old soul of a true roots artist, to be sure..”. In a world of imitation, image & revivalism, Dylan has lived what he sings. It’s music that you will feel first & foremost, then think on it later..

Something To Do is a long running, great smelling rock & roll & ska band from Milwaukee, WI.

Founded in the cold-ass Minnesota winter of 2017, Loss leader is the new project from three working-class dudes from Minneapolis, MN; Tim Schumann (guitar/vocals), Andy Slater (drums), and Brandon Stein (bass). With deep roots in the Minneapolis and broader Midwest punk and indie scenes (former The Damn Choir, Mpls Henrys, Mad Dogs of Glory, current The Jeffertons) Loss Leaders’ brand of earnest, hard charging, melodic midwest punk has earned them a dedicated and steadily growing fan base in Minneapolis and the region.