Irish punk on Middlewest soil.

Much like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys, Chicago’s Flatfoot 56 plays a special brand of punk rock based in traditional Irish music. Together with bands like the Tossers and Sleeping Under 47, the group will be part of a selection of Celtic punk bands that will play this year’s Middlewest Fest in downtown DeKalb.

Before taking the stage this Friday at the House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, singer/guitarist Tobin Bawinkel sat down with the Northern Star to talk about DeKalb, faith and Sons of Anarchy.

NORTHERN STAR: You guys have played DeKalb before. What do you think of the city?

TOBIN BAWINKEL: Oh, DeKalb’s awesome. We’ve played the House multiple times, and every single time we go out there, it’s always a good crowd. Looking forward to being back.

NS: Flatfoot 56 has had some of their songs featured on [FX’s] Sons of Anarchy. How did that chance come about?

TB: I believe they saw us on Warped Tour last summer, and that was when we were offered the opportunity for it. They were looking for Celtic punk bands based on what the season was of Sons of Anarchy last year. I was pretty stoked to be able to use some of the songs.

NS: It looks like you’ve played several music festivals that are rooted in more Christian music. How big of a role does faith play in the band?

TB: It plays a very big part in the band. All the guys in the band are Christian. It’s definitely not something that’s exclusively for Christians, obviously. But it’s definitely a big part of who we are. I always like to tell people, if you’re listening to a band, you want them to be singing from the heart; be honest about what they’re putting out. It’s definitely going to play a part in some lyrics. Not all, but a lot of them are definitely influenced by our faith.

NS: What are you expecting for Middlewest Fest?

TB: I’m excited about it. The show that we’re playing at the House Café is a line-up that we’ve played with before. I’m stoked just to be a part of it. It will be really cool to kind of see what it’s going to be like. I’m really going into it blindly… but I’m really looking forward to it. It seems like they have a good line-up of bands.

NS: Is there anybody in particular you’re excited to see?

TB: I was really stoked that the Tossers and Murder by Death were playing the same night we were. Those two bands were on my “top list” to check out.