88 Fingers Louie is an American punk rock band from

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

, United States, which was formed in 1993. After disbanding in 1999, guitarist Dan Wleklinski and bassist

Joe Principe Joseph Daniel Principe (; born November 14, 1974) is an American musician. He is the bassist, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the American rock band Rise Against. He is also a straight edge, a vegan, an animal rights advocate, and activel ...

formed the well-known punk rock band

Rise Against Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, formed in 1999. The group's current line-up comprises vocalist/rhythm guitarist Tim McIlrath, lead guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe and drummer Brandon Barnes. Rooted in hardcor ...

. The band reunited in 2009, and has continued playing shows in Chicago, Canada, Belgium, Las Vegas, and Asbury Park. The band held a 20th anniversary show in 2013. The name comes from a

Flintstones ''The Flintstones'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series takes place in a romanticized Stone Age setting and follows the activities of the titular family, the Flintstones, and their next-door neighbor ...

gangster who sells dodgy pianos.

History

Early career

88 Fingers Louie was formed in 1993 in Chicago, Illinois by vocalist Denis Buckley, guitarist Mr. Precision (Dan Wleklinski), bassist

and drummer Dom Vallone. The same year the band released their first 7" on their own "Go Deaf Records", and after signing to

Fat Wreck Chords Fat Wreck Chords (pronounced "Fat Records") is a San Francisco, California-based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by NOFX lead singer Michael Burkett (better known as Fat Mike) in 1990. The label has released mater ...

the band released two more 7" EPs, "Go Away" and "Wanted".
After appearing on several split and compilation albums in 1994, the band released their next 10" EP, "Totin' 40's and Fuckin' Shit Up" in 1995 and shortly after, drummer Dom Vallone left the band. The band was joined by new drummer Glenn Porter, followed by the release of their first full album "Behind Bars" on Hopeless Records on September 12, 1995, which was well received.

Internal struggles

The band started touring more and tension between band members started building up. After appearing on the "Chicago vs. Amsterdam" split EP, 88 Fingers Louie disbanded in late 1996 due to fights between band members, and vocalist Denis Buckley allegedly having urinated on drummer Glenn Porter. However, shortly before disbanding, the band had recorded a new 7" single, "The Teacher Gets it", which was released in early 1997. Later the same year,

released a compilation album of all the band's 7" releases on the label titled ''The Dom Years''. However, in 1998 the band decided to start things up again, this time with new, and current drummer, John Carroll. The band released its second album, ''Back on the Streets'', and went back on tour. Things seemed well, but internal fights once again tore the band apart. Only weeks after releasing a split album with Kid Dynamite, the band disbanded due to vocalist Denis Buckley and bassist Joe Principe getting into a fight. Buckley went on to sing in the

melodic hardcore Melodic hardcore is a broadly defined subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on melody in its guitar work. It generally incorporates fast rhythms, melodic and often distorted guitar riffs, and vocal styles tending towards shouting and ...

band Explode and Make Up, previous drummer Glenn Porter started playing for

Alkaline Trio Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Matt Skiba (vocals, guitar), Dan Andriano (vocals, bass) and Derek Grant (drums, vocals). Founded in late 1996 by Skiba, bassist Rob Do ...

after leaving 88 Fingers Louie, last drummer John Carroll went on to drum for Paper Mice, while Dan Wleklinski and Joe Principe formed the band

Reunion and Live CD and DVD

On August 14 and 15, 2009, the band performed 2 sold out reunion shows. The first one was hosted by

Riot Fest Riot Fest is an annual three-day punk rock music festival based in Chicago, Illinois, at Douglass Park. It is known for booking reunions, guest performances, and full album performances. Riot Fest remains one of the largest independently owned m ...

, while the second was at Chicago's Bottom Lounge. The lineup featured founding members Mr. Precision (Dan Wleklinski), Denis "The Grandpa" Buckley, and John Carroll. Bassist

was asked to join, but was unable due to commitments with

, so the band added new bassist John Contreras. Previous drummer Glenn Porter also played 5 songs during the reunion show.
The album titled 88 Fingers Louie LIVES is a 78-Minute 26-Track Live CD from Chicago’s Bottom Lounge recorded 8-15-2009 and mixed by Dan Wleklinski at his

Bombshelter Recording Studio A bunker is a defensive military fortification designed to protect people and valued materials from falling bombs, artillery, or other attacks. Bunkers are almost always underground, in contrast to blockhouses which are mostly above ground. T ...

. In 2010, a DVD of the show was also released. Later that year The band continued to tour and played at several shows and festivals from 2009 on, including an Eastern Canadian tour, Groezrock Festival in Belgium, and Amnesia Rockfest in Canada.
In 2013, Nat Wright, from Chicago's Shot Baker, joined 88 Fingers Louie as their newest bass player. In 2013, the last pre-reunion lineup of the band, featuring Joe Principe on bass, held a 20th anniversary show. In 2015, 88 had two back-to-back shows at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago, and is scheduled to play Pouzza Fest and Punk Rock Bowling.
In 2016 the band embarked on a few small tours, first one in Florida, then the west coast.
In 2017 the band released their first new album in 19 years titled "Thank you for being a Friend". It was released June 30th by Bird Attack Records out of Jacksonville Beach, FL and followed by a tour in Europe.

Band members

;Current lineup *Denis Buckley –

lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...

(1993–1996, 1998–1999, 2009–2010, 2013–present) *Dan "Mr. Precision" Wleklinski –

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

, vocals (1993–1996, 1998–1999, 2009–2010, 2013–present) *John Carroll –

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

backing vocals A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are use ...

(1998–1999, 2009–2010, 2013–present) *Nat Wright –

bass guitar The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...

(2013–present) ;Former members *

– bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–1996, 1998–1999) *Dominic "Dom" Vallone – drums (1993–1995) *Glenn Porter – drums, backing vocals (1995–1996) *John Contreras – bass guitar (2009–2010)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

*''Behind Bars'' (1995) *''Back On the Streets'' (1998) *''Thank You for Being a Friend'' (2017)

EPs, splits, and compilations

*Happy Anniversary 7" (1993) *Go Away 7" (1993) *Wanted 7" (1993) *Totin' 40's & Fuckin' Shit Up 10" (1995) *Chicago vs. Amsterdam 7" (1996) *''The Dom Years'' (1997) *''88 Fingers Up Your Ass'' (1997) *The Teacher Gets It 7" (1997) *88 Fingers Louie/ Kid Dynamite (1999) *''88 Fingers Louie LIVES'' (2009) *''88 Fingers Louie Lives'' DVD (2010) *Get Off My Lawn 7" (2017)

Music videos

* I've Won (1999)

References

{{Authority control Hardcore punk groups from Illinois Musical groups from Chicago Musical quartets Musical groups established in 1993 Musical groups disestablished in 1999 Musical groups reestablished in 2009 Musical groups disestablished in 2009 Fat Wreck Chords artists 1993 establishments in Illinois Hopeless Records artists