The band formed in summer 2000 as a three-piece punk band. The three original members, who are brothers (Tobin Bawinkel, Justin Bawinkel, and Kyle Bawinkel), started writing songs in Fall 2000. By the Christmas season of the same year, they were playing their first concert. In January 2001, the band added Josh Robieson (bagpipes, guitar, mandolin) to the lineup and the band began including the Highland bagpipes and a second guitar into its sound.

In 2001 they recorded their first demo, then in Summer 2002, the band recorded their first full length album, entitled Rumble of 56. This recording was done in Rockford, Illinois, in a studio called the Noise Chamber. Their second album, Waves of War, was released in 2003. Their song, "That's OK," had heavy radio play on stations across the Midwestern United States. It has been known as one of the higher-rated songs Flatfoot 56 has ever played and is definitely a crowd favorite at live performances.

In 2004, Flatfoot 56 performed at the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois for a crowd of about 700 people. It was at this concert that the band released their first album, Knuckles Up. It has been the band's best-selling record, and the group continues to record and tour. The band has been signed to Flicker Records and has re-released Knuckles Up through the label. Their fourth record, Jungle of the Midwest Sea, was released on May 15, 2007.

While not touring and playing with Flatfoot 56, Kyle Bawinkel sings for the hardcore side project Sexually Frustrated.

In January 2009, the band announced on their website that they are currently recording a new, full-length album.

On December 18, 2009 it was officially announced that Flatfoot 56 had signed to California based Old Shoe Records for the release of their new album "Black Thorn." "Black Thorn" was initially due for release St. Patricks Day (March 17th) 2010, but was delayed until March 30th 2010.

Flatfoot 56 commonly encourages and organizes a variation on a circle pit called the Meat Grinder, which has become immensely popular with fans. They're also known for the "Braveheart," in which the audience splits down the middle and rushes toward each other at the beginning of a song, in imitation of a scene from the movie of the same name. This is generally known as a wall of death. Flatfoot 56 usually ends their sets with the hymn "Amazing Grace." The audience wraps their arms around each other's shoulders and sings along for the first verse before devolving into a massive circle pit for the remainder of the song.


Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatfoot_56