Counterpunch formed in 2003 from the ashes of Chicago acts Dear You, Rocks Pennycar, Last Annual and Last Man Out. The original lineup included Ross Michel (drums), Andy Lareau (guitar/vocals), Jared Rohde (bass/vocals) and Eric Hausser (guitar/vocals). The lineup lead to a few (albeit unreleased) recordings, plenty of shows, and a sense of something bigger that could be acheived. It was that same sense of urgency that lead to the band parting ways with Ross Michel shortly after agreeing to a licensing agreement with Radtone Records (Japan).

The record was produced/engineered and mixed by Counterpunch at Andy's home stucio in Streamwood, IL and was subsequently released as An Idiot's Guide to Being an Asshole in Japan with two bonus live tracks. It couldn't have been done without the help of Jevin K (formerly of Much The Same) who played drums on the live tracks, with Andy taking the reins for the remainder of the record. That same record became the self-titled stateside debut for Counterpunch, minus the bonus tracks. The 11 track LP was self-released in the US under Punch It Records and is still in circulation today.

While supoorting their self-titled debut, Counterpunch got the chance to play with some great acts and great friends. Rise Against, Much The Same, A Wilhelm Scream, The Flatliners, The Loved Ones, The Swellers, Only Crime, and The Vandals to name a few. But as time passed, the times they were a changin' (thank you Bob Dillon). A revolving cast of characters took up shop behind the drums in Mickey Molinari, Jevin Kusitznow, Jeff Lareau, Mark Michalik, and finally Richo Marquina. Only the latter stuck, creating a solid nucleus of Jared, Eric, and Richo. As new material was being fleshed out, Andy had several changes in his life that wouldn't allow him to operate in the capacity the band needed. It became plainly evident that while the three of them were moving forward, their feet we're stuck in the mud if you will. The band decided it was time to say goodbye to Andy, allowing him to persue other endeavors.

So began the search for the final puzzle piece. The last remaining element to transform a three headed monster into a four headed terror. It's during this search that another Chicago band went the way of the flesh. Break The Silence came to a quiet end, and somehow Brian Phee's phone number ended up in Eric's hands. Phone calls were made, demos were listened to, and when all was said and done Brian was exactly the fit that Counterpunch needed. A stand up guy with great ideas who was as excited if not more than the rest of everyone in camp Counterpunch about the new material.

That brings us to November 2008, when the band stepped into the studio with good friend/producer/engineer Mark Michalik at Mystery Street Studios in Chicago, IL. Fifteen songs were laid down, the bulk of which are almost ready to be unleashed upon the general public. After stints at three to five other studios in Chicago over the course of the Winter of '08 and Spring of '09, the final mix is at hand. So keep your ears to the ground, becuase you'll be hearing from us soon!!