88 Fingers Louie Biography

You are in : HOME : 8 : 88 Fingers Louie : Biography

Biography 88 Fingers Louie

88 Fingers Louie
88 Fingers Louie (sometimes referred to simply as 88 or 88 Fingers) were a punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois.

Career

88 Fingers Louie formed in spring 1993, with the intention of playing sloppy, fun punk music for themselves. They took their name from a character from an episode of The Flintstones, who sold Fred a stolen piano. In the later part of 1993, 88 self-released their first EP and appeared on a couple of local compilations before attracting the interest of renowned punk label Fat Wreck Chords in 1994 and appearing on the 1994 Fat Wreck compilation Fat Music For Fat People.

1994 and onwards

Their early EPs, Go Away and Wanted, rendered them a typical "Fat Wreck Chords band" by critics, due to their fast, melodic sound, but suitable for skateboarding music. Their next record, the 10" Totin' 40s and Fucking Shit Up, was released by Rocco Records in 1994, until their first full-length release came under Hopeless Records, entitled Behind Bars. By 1996, a tour across North America and Europe ensued following the release of their next EP, Chicago Vs. Amsterdam.

However, several months into the tour, tour stress and band turmoil began, with 88 subsequently splitting up in July 1996, and abruptly ending the tour, despite a bunch of US tour dates left over. With the absence of 88, Fat Wreck released The Teacher Gets It EP and The Dom Years 10" in 1997, whilst Hopeless Records released 88's vinyl-only material and rarities, on the 88 compilation 88 Fingers Up Your Ass.

After a year and half of being on hold, Dan Wlekinski (guitarist), Denis Buckley (vocals) and Joe Principe (bassist) revived 88 Fingers Louie in 1998, adding drummer John Carroll to the rhythm section. Their "comeback" album, Back on the Streets, was released in the same year.

Final breakup and aftermath

88 Fingers Louie broke up for good in 1999.
  • Dan Wleklinski started his own recording studio in 1999 called the Bombshelter.
  • Joe Principe and Dan Wleklinski (under the moniker of "Mr. Precision") went on to form the widely successful Rise Against.
  • Dan left shortly after the release of their debut album, later appearing in the band Break The Silence.
  • Denis Buckley went on to The Story So Far, and later the band Zero to Sixty.
  • Glenn Porter went on to Alkaline Trio, and currently plays in Portland, Oregon band The Moneychangers.
  • In early September 2007, a new project from founding members of the band was unveiled under the name Zero To Sixty. The lineup consists of Denis Buckley on vocals, Mr. Precision on guitar and vocals, Mirek of 1dickens on bass and vocals, Mike Ford from Break The Silence on drums, and Chris and Lukas from 1dickens playing guitar and contributing to vocals as well.
  • Dom refocused his life's work into marriage and parenthood, while continuing his passion for music and drumming. He currently plays drums for the rock outfit known as Living Struggle, with fellow artists Tito and Rocco Renghini, and Jason Fumo.
  • John is currently an elementary music teacher in the city of Chicago. He plays in a experimental punk band called Paper Mice, an instrumental rock/jazz group called Maurice, and is one half of the heavy rock duo the Hammer Brothers.


Reunion

On April 26th 2009, 88 Fingers Louie have announced that they will be playing a 1 night only reunion show on August 15th, 2009 at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, Il. The lineup will be as follows:

  • Denis Buckley - Vocals
  • Dan Precision - Guitar
  • John Carrol - Drums
  • John Contreras - Bass


Original bassist Joe Principe could not attend due to touring obligations with Rise Against but has given his blessing.

Members

  • Denis Buckley - Vocals
  • Dan Wlekinski - Guitar
  • Joe Principe - Bass
  • John Carroll - Drums
  • Dominic Vallone (original drummer)
  • Glenn Porter


Discography

  • Debut self-distributed Happy Anniversary EP (Go Deaf Records) - 1993
  • Go Away EP (Fat Wreck Chords) - 1993
  • Wanted EP (Fat Wreck Chords) - 1993
  • Viva Chicago split EP with The Bollweevils (Rocco Records) - 1994
  • Totin' 40s and Fucking Shit Up 10" (Rocco Records) - 1994
  • Behind Bars (Hopeless Records) - 1995
  • The Teacher Gets It EP (Fat Wreck Chords) - 1997
  • The Dom Years 10" (Fat Wreck Chords) - 1997
  • 88 Fingers Up Your Ass (Hopeless Records) - 1997
  • Back on the Streets (Hopeless Records) - 1998
  • 88 Fingers Louie/Kid Dynamite split EP with Kid Dynamite (Sub City Records) - 1999


External links



1990s music groupsMusical groups from IllinoisMusical groups established in 1993American punk rock groups

88 Fingers Louie88 Fingers Louie


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88 Fingers Louie
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License