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JFH Music Review




Flatfoot 56
Knuckles Up



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 35 minutes, 26 seconds
Street Date: June 27, 2006


Sometimes something comes along that is so bizarre, it demands attention. Such is the case with Flatfoot 56, a self-proclaimed Celtic punk band. No, seriously. Bagpipes, punishing guitar riffs, mandolins, crowd chants, a vocalist with an Irish accent… these guys are the real deal. They've been gaining a following since they started in 2000 (That's right…that's right, you've missed out on six years of Celtic punk), and have now signed to Flicker Records. Instead of a new recording, we're treated to what will be new to most of us anyway, in the form of a re-release of their independent album Knuckles Up.

Anyone who remembers the old school, nineties, punk glory days of Tooth & Nail and other such indie records labels will appreciate this throwback to a time when the term "Christian rock" was more cool and novel, and less cliché. It's fast, fun, and insanely catchy (Try not to start chanting "Break, break, break, break, breakin' the law" on the ever so inspired "Breakin' the Law").

As is to be expected on an album of this caliber and velocity, the depth just isn't there from a lyrical standpoint. But what Flatfoot 56 lacks in depth, they make up for in passion. These songs are rally cries, "Raise up the flag. Let them see. Our creed is a symbol for those who are free. We fight against evil. We fight against sin. Our battle's not outward. Our battle's within." It's the kind of stuff that in any other setting would sound corny, but, as this is a Celtic punk band, it works.

There's a very select group that will find delight in this truly unique piece of work, but you owe it to yourself to give these guys a chance. And if you can, catch them live, if only to better understand fully what these guys bring to the table. I don't really know how these guys could mature and grow musically, but I'm definitely not saying it can't be done. Knuckles Up is just crazy enough to get a thumbs up.

- Review date: 7/18/06, written by Josh Taylor



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. Record Label: Flicker Records
. Album length: 13 tracks: 35 minutes, 26 seconds
. Street Date: June 27, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. This Town
  2. Brotherhood
  3. Knuckles Up
  4. Hold Fast
  5. Breakin' The Law
  6. Blood And Sweat
  7. The Rotten Hand
  8. Battle Of The Bones
  9. Chi-Town Beat Down
  10. Fight To Live
  11. The Long Road
  12. Amazing Grace
  13. Arran Boat
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Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
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This Wednesday, October 22, 2025
SINGLES
Phil Wickham Fear Has No Power - Single [Fair Trade]

This Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Latter Day Exploits Within Consumed (Expanded Edition) [Charon Collective]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Jamie Macdonald You Can't Take My Song - Single [Capitol CMG]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]

Next Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
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Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]


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