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

Contents 1 Formation and Early Days 2 1994 and onwards 2.1 Breakup 2.2 Re-Formation 2.3 Final Breakup and Aftermath 3 Members 4 Discography 5 Source

88 formed in the spring of 1993, with the simple intention of playing sloppy, fun punk music for themselves. They took their name from a character from an episode of The Flintstones, who was a pianist from the Mafia. 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 (appearing on the 1994 Fat Wreck compilation Fat Music For Fat People.

Their early EPs, Go Away and Wanted, renderred 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 Up Your Ass.

After a year and half of being on hold, Dan Wlekinski (guitarist), Dennis 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.

88 Fingers Louie broke up for good in 1999. Joe Principe and Dan Wlekinski (under the moniker of "Mr. Precision") went on to form the widely successful Rise Against, but Dan left shortly after the release of their debut album.

• Denis Buckley - Vocals
• Dan Wlekinski - Guitar
• Joe Principe - Bass
• John Carroll - Drums
• Dominic Vallone (Original Drummer)

• Debut self-distributed EP (unknown title) - 1993
• Go Away EP (Fat Wreck Chords) - 1993
• Wanted EP (Fat Wreck Chords) - 1993
• 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
• Up Your Ass (Hopeless Records) - 1997
• Back on the Streets (Hopeless Records) - 1998
• Split EP [w/ Kid Dynamite] (Sub City Records) - 1999

• VH1.com Biography - [1]