Leatherface (band)

Last updated

Leatherface
Leatherf1.jpg
Background information
Origin Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England
Genres
Years active1988–1994, 1998–2012
LabelsLittle Rocket Records, Big Ugly Fish, No Idea, BYO, Meantime, Teichiku, Seed, King, Fire, Domino, Your Choice
Past members Frankie Stubbs
Dickie Hammond
Andrew "Lainey" Laing
Graeme Philliskirk
David Lee Burdon
Leighton Evans
Andy Crighton
Steven 'Eagle' Charlton
Andy Duncan
Stuart Scouler
Dickie Camm
Website leatherface.bandcamp.com

Leatherface was a British punk rock band from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, fronted by Frankie Stubbs. Trouser Press called them "England's finest, most exciting punk band of the 90s" [1] and The Guardian has called them "the greatest British punk band of the modern era." [2]

Contents

History and background

Formed in August 1988 by Frankie Stubbs and Dickie Hammond (also of HDQ), [3] Leatherface released four full-length albums before their initial split in 1993. Third album Mush was, according to Allmusic, "one of the most intense records of the 90s, with some of the fiercest playing and song dynamics.. considered one of the best albums of the decade." [4]

The band split in late 1993, [5] – releasing a posthumous mini album (The Last) the following year – but reformed in 1998, after the death of bass player Andy Crighton (also of Snuff). Four more albums followed between 1999 and 2012. [1]

Leatherface's music has been described as a cross between Hüsker Dü and Motörhead, [6] a notable element being Stubbs' rasping, "gravelly" vocals. [1] The lyrics often feature far-fetched similes, metaphors, word play and obscure allusions. Though never attaining much more than a cult following outside their native country, the band have been cited as an influence by higher-profile punk acts such as Hot Water Music and Dillinger Four. [7]

Rubber Factory Records released a tribute album to Leatherface in 2008, featuring 41 tracks by over 35 artists from several different countries who were influenced by the band, including Hot Water Music and The Sainte Catherines.

There is confusion as to whether their cover of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" was played in the final episode of Sons of Anarchy as there is evidence it was performed by Franky Perez & The Forest Rangers. [8] [9] [10]


Post-split

Frankie Stubbs

After Leatherface split in 1993, Stubbs moved on to two new bands, Jesse and Pope. Jesse released three singles and one self-titled album between 1995 and 1998. Stubbs also performed solo and released one single in 1995 and a 10’’ EP in 2001. In addition Stubbs has produced records for almost 40 other (mostly) UK bands including China Drum, Four Letter Word, Drive, Hooton 3 Car, Midway Still, Monkhouse, Snuff and Wat Tyler.[ citation needed ]

Stubbs was featured on Duncan Redmonds' 2009 collaboration album Bubble and Squeak on four tracks alongside Redmonds, Loz Wong (Snuff) and Wes Wasley (Consumed, Billy No Mates) calling themselves "The Pissmops". He was referenced in Franz Nicolay's song "Frankie Stubbs Tears". [11]

'Heart is Home' was among the first four VinylVideos ever produced. [12]

Frankie Stubbs is a supporter of Sunderland A.F.C. [13] [14]

Other members

Graeme Philliskirk & Dickie Hammond went on to form Medictation with the remaining members consisting of members from Montreal, Quebec-based band The Sainte Catherine's. Their debut LP Warm Places was released in 2016. Hammond died in October 2015.

David Lee Burdon has spent time occupying various roles in such outfits as Former Cell Mates, Anchor Bends and most recently forming D L Burdon & His Questionable Intentions with Omar Zehery (Hit The Lights, Trophy Girls) and Craig Dickman (Shitty Neighbors).

Discography

Albums

Compilation and live albums

Singles and EPs

Additionally, there was a limited edition single that came packaged with some copies of the vinyl edition of the Minx album, containing the songs "Dreaming" and "Can't Help Falling in Love".

Promotional videos

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Unseen (band)</span> American street punk band

The Unseen is an American punk rock band that was formed in 1993 in Hingham, Massachusetts. One of the more prominent bands to revive street punk, The Unseen was originally called The Extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citizen Fish</span> English ska punk band

Citizen Fish are an English punk rock band that has been active since 1990 and shares members with Subhumans. Citizen Fish does not emphasize the raw political statements and nihilistic viewpoint of the former, instead focusing on issues of social alienation and human interaction, viewed through a more optimistic lens. Both bands deal with themes such as anti-consumerism and vegetarianism.

Angelic Upstarts are an English punk rock / Oi! band formed in South Shields in 1977. AllMusic calls them "one of the period's most politically charged and thought-provoking groups". The band espouse an anti-fascist and socialist working class philosophy, and have been associated with the punk and skinhead subcultures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snuff (British band)</span> British punk rock band

Snuff are a British punk rock band formed in Hendon in 1986. The original line-up was Duncan Redmonds on drums and vocals, Simon Wells on guitar and vocals and Andy Crighton on bass, with Dave Redmonds being added to the line-up on trombone before the release of Flibbiddydibbiddydob.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voodoo Glow Skulls</span> American ska punk band

Voodoo Glow Skulls are an American ska punk band formed in 1988 in Riverside, California, by brothers Frank, Eddie, and Jorge Casillas and their longtime friend Jerry O'Neill. Voodoo Glow Skulls first played at backyard parties and later at Spanky's Café in their hometown of Riverside, where they played shows with the Angry Samoans, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Firehose, Murphy's Law, and The Dickies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BYO Records</span> American independent record label

Better Youth Organization Records (BYO) is a defunct Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the California punk rock band Youth Brigade.

Toxic Reasons were an American punk rock band, formed in 1979. The band released nine full-length studio albums between 1982 and 1995.

China Drum are an English punk rock band from Ovingham, Northumberland, active initially from 1989 to 2000, playing under the name The Drum beginning in 1999. The group released three moderately successful full-length albums and toured in support of noted punk and alternative rock groups, including Green Day, Ash, and Supergrass. They reformed in 2013 under the China Drum moniker.

Guns 'N' Wankers is a punk rock band, formed by ex-members of English punk band Snuff, and English rock band The Wildhearts in the early 1990s. The band consisted of Duncan Redmonds, Pat Walters and Joolz Dean. The three formed the band on the same day Snuff played their farewell gig at the Kilburn National, and Walters was relieved of duty with The Wildhearts. On the off chance, Duncan gave Walters a call, having seen him play in a band called The Milk Monitors a few years before. Walters called his friend Joolz Dean and the line-up was complete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hagfish (band)</span> American rock band

Hagfish were an American rock band originated in Sherman, Texas that rose to notoriety via performances in the Deep Ellum district of Dallas, Texas, drawing influences from both punk rock and alternative rock. The lineup included lead vocalist George Stroud Reagan III, guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Doni Blair and drummer Tony Barsotti for the majority of the band's career, including nearly all of their recorded work. Formed by the Blair brothers in 1991, Hagfish emerged with contemporaries Tripping Daisy and Toadies as part of the 1990s Dallas/Fort Worth alternative rock scene and were also heavily influenced by the Descendents/All, whose members recorded and produced two of the band's studio albums. After officially disbanding in 2001, Hagfish have reunited occasionally for live performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zero Boys</span> American hardcore punk band

The Zero Boys are an American hardcore punk quartet from Indianapolis, Indiana fronted by Paul Mahern that debuted in 1980. Other members include bassist Scott Kellogg, drummer Mark Cutsinger and guitarist Dave Lawson. The band was known as one of the few popular hardcore bands from the Midwest, as the scene was mostly dominated by bands from the coasts.

<i>BYO Split Series Volume I</i> 1999 studio album by Leatherface and Hot Water Music

BYO Split Series Volume I is an album by Leatherface and Hot Water Music, the first entry in the BYO Split Series. It was released in 1999.

Midway Still are a pop punk band formed in the early 1990s in Kent, England. The band recorded a Peel session in 1991 prior to the release of their debut album, Dial Square (1992), on the Roughneck Recordings label, which was a subsidiary of Fire Records. The album was produced by Don Fleming, and was followed by Life's Too Long in 1993.

<i>Cherry Knowle</i> 1989 studio album by Leatherface

Cherry Knowle is the first full-length album by the English punk band Leatherface. The album is named after Cherry Knowle Hospital in Ryhope, Sunderland, and the album's cover reflects the hospital's Victorian origins. It was recorded at Beaumont Street Studios.

<i>Mush</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Leatherface

Mush is the third full-length album by the English punk band Leatherface. It was originally released only in Britain on Roughneck, a subsidiary of Fire Records, in 1991. It was re-released on Seed Records, an offshoot of Atlantic Records, in 1992, in an unsuccessful attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Nirvana in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Choice Records</span> German independent record label

Your Choice Records was a German independent record label that was founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts. Holzinger provided a share of the record sale profit to various animal rights organisations.

Red Alert are аn English punk/oi!-band, formed in Sunderland, England, in May 1979. The group released five EPs and a studio album, and appeared on numerous compilations, including Punk And Disorderly and Carry On Oi!. Three of the band's releases reached the Top 30 in the UK Indie Chart. Red Alert broke up in 1984, reformed five years later and continued touring and recording.

<i>The Stormy Petrel</i> 2010 studio album by Leatherface

The Stormy Petrel is an album by the British punk rock band Leatherface. It was released in the UK in February 2010, their first album to be released on their own label, Big Ugly Fish Records. It was released in North America by No Idea Records.

<i>Minx</i> (Leatherface album) 1993 studio album by Leatherface

Minx is the fourth album by the English punk rock band Leatherface. It was released in 1993 by Roughneck Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warfare (band)</span> British heavy metal band

Warfare was a British heavy metal band from Newcastle upon Tyne that formed in 1982 and disbanded in 1993. They were part of the later stages of the new wave of British heavy metal.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Leatherface". TrouserPress.com. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  2. McMahon, James (6 November 2015). "Melancholia and raw pain: the sad end of Leatherface". The Guardian .
  3. "BYO Leatherface Biography - Leatherface". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  4. Alex Ogg. "Mush – Leatherface | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  5. "BYO Leatherface Biography – Leatherface". Leatherface.biz. 10 December 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  6. Marcus, Andrew (21 April 2004). "Leatherface | Reviewed | San Francisco | San Francisco News and Events". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  7. "CD Reviews – The Stormy Petrel Leatherface". Blabbermouth.net. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  8. "Every song from S7E13 - Sons of Anarchy, "Papa's Goods"".
  9. "Various - Sons of Anarchy - Songs of Anarchy: Vol. 4". Discogs . 2015.
  10. https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Anarchy-Vol-Music-Sons/dp/B00QU86QC2 [ bare URL ]
  11. "Franz Nicolay – Frankie Stubbs' Tears". Franznicolay.com.
  12. "Frankie Stubbs: Heart is Home § Vinyl Video". The.supersense.com.
  13. "Leatherface: A Love Story". Athousandtrivialities. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  14. "Getting gut rot with Chuck Ragan". Nme.com. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  15. "RSD '15 Special Release: Leatherface - Razor Blades And Aspirin:1990-1993". Recordstoreday.com.