Leatherface (band)
Encyclopedia
Leatherface is a British
punk rock
band from Sunderland fronted by Frankie Stubbs
. The band is known for an eclectic style spanning American folk music
, hardcore punk
and post-hardcore
.
and Motörhead, a notable element being Stubbs' rasping, "gravelly" vocals. The lyrics of the band often feature far-fetched simile
s, metaphor
s, word play
and obscure allusion
s.
Though never attaining much more than a cult following outside their native country, the band has been cited as an influence by higher-profile punk
acts such as Hot Water Music
and Dillinger Four
. Jack Rabid, music critic and publisher of the music magazine Big Takeover, once listed Leatherface's 1991 release Mush as one of the fifty greatest punk albums of all time.
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
, In The Red, Radon, The Sainte Catherines
and The Dukes of Hillsborough. It was issued as a double cd in a card gatefold jacket and was limited to 2000 copies.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from Sunderland fronted by Frankie Stubbs
Frankie Stubbs
Frankie NW Stubbs is a British singer-songwriter best known for his work with punk-band Leatherface, who has also produced records for many noted underground groups....
. The band is known for an eclectic style spanning American folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
.
History and background
Formed in August 1988, Leatherface has released nine full-length albums. Leatherface's music has been described as a cross between Hüsker DüHüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
and Motörhead, a notable element being Stubbs' rasping, "gravelly" vocals. The lyrics of the band often feature far-fetched simile
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things, usually by employing the words "like", "as". Even though both similes and metaphors are forms of comparison, similes indirectly compare the two ideas and allow them to remain distinct in spite of their similarities, whereas...
s, metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
s, word play
Word play
Word play or wordplay is a literary technique in which the words that are used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement...
and obscure allusion
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication. M. H...
s.
Though never attaining much more than a cult following outside their native country, the band has been cited as an influence by higher-profile punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
acts such as Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music is a punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida. The members of the band are Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Rebelo. HWM first formed in 1993...
and Dillinger Four
Dillinger Four
Dillinger Four is an American punk rock band formed in 1994 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have released four full-length studio albums. The current band members are Patrick Costello on bass guitar and vocals, Erik Funk and Bill Morrisette on guitars and vocals, and Lane Pederson on drums.- Studio...
. Jack Rabid, music critic and publisher of the music magazine Big Takeover, once listed Leatherface's 1991 release Mush as one of the fifty greatest punk albums of all time.
Rubber Factory Records released a tribute album
Tribute album
A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
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
Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music is a punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida. The members of the band are Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Rebelo. HWM first formed in 1993...
, In The Red, Radon, The Sainte Catherines
The Sainte Catherines
The Sainte Catherines are a 6 piece punk-rock band who formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1999. The group's name comes from Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Montreal's main streets. Their third record, The Art of Arrogance was released on local label Dare to Care Records in 2003 and on the German...
and The Dukes of Hillsborough. It was issued as a double cd in a card gatefold jacket and was limited to 2000 copies.
Albums
- Cherry KnowleCherry KnowleCherry Knowle is the first full-length by English punk band Leatherface. The album is named after Cherry Knowle mental hospital in Ryhope, Sunderland, and the albums cover reflects the hospital's Victorian origins.- Track listing :...
(1989), Meantime Records - Fill Your BootsFill Your BootsFill Your Boots is the second full-length album by English punk band Leatherface.- Track listing :# "New York State" - 3:53# "Razorblades and Aspirin" - 2:30# "Speak in Tongues" - 3:19# "Fate" - 3:02# "Peasant in Paradise" - 3:12...
(1990), Roughneck Records - MushMush (album)Mush is the third full-length album by English punk band Leatherface. It is generally considered to be their best record, and a classic in the genre.- Track listing :# "I Want the Moon" - 2:49# "How Lonely" - 2:39...
(1991), Roughneck Records - MinxMinx (Leatherface album)Minx is the fourth full-length album by English punk band Leatherface. Though regarded as a lesser album than its predecessor, Mush, it was still generally well received, many reviews citing its strength as a stand alone album.-Track listing:...
(1993), Roughneck Records - The Last (1994), Domino Records
- Live in Oslo (1995), Rugger Bugger Discs
- Discography Part One (1998), Rejected Records
- Discography Part Two (1998), Rejected Records
- Horsebox (2000), BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
- Dog Disco (2004), BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
- The Stormy PetrelThe Stormy PetrelThe Stormy Petrel is the ninth studio by British punk rock band Leatherface and the first to be released in the UK in February 2010 on their own label Big Ugly Fish Records...
(2010), Big Ugly Fish Recordings, No Idea RecordsNo Idea RecordsFor other uses, see No Idea .No Idea Records is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which produces both vinyl records and compact discs...
, Poison City Records, Punk In Ya Face Records - Live In Melbourne - Viva La Arthouse (2011) Big Ugly Fish Recordings, No Idea RecordsNo Idea RecordsFor other uses, see No Idea .No Idea Records is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which produces both vinyl records and compact discs...
, Poison City Records, Punk In Ya Face
Singles and EPs
- "Beerpig" - Meantime Records (1990)
- "Razor Blades And Aspirin" - Roughneck Records (1990)
- "Smokey Joe" - Roughneck Records (1990)
- "Not Superstitious" - Roughneck Records (1991)
- "I Want The Moon" - Roughneck Records (1991)
- "Seconds Out, Round OneSeconds Out Round OneSeconds Out Round One was compilation album of session tracks recorded in 1991 for the Mark Radcliffe radio show Hit The North, released by Imaginary Records...
" - Imaginary RecordsImaginary RecordsImaginary Records was an independent record label based in Heywood, Lancashire, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock and post-punk. It was created and owned by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical contributions to Porcupine Tree's first two albums, On the Sunday of Life and Up the...
(1992) - This was a split release with The Boo RadleysThe Boo Radleys-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Extended plays:-Singles:-External links:* * * * * * by Laurent Orseau * *...
, Doctor Phibes, and Scorpio RisingScorpio RisingScorpio Rising may refer to:*Scorpio Rising , a 1964 short film by Kenneth Anger*"Scorpio Rising", a song by 10,000 Maniacs from their 1985 album The Wishing Chair*Scorpio Rising , plus the title song...
. - "Compact & Bijou" - Roughneck Records (1992)
- "Hops & Barley" - Clawfist Records (1992)
- This was a split release with Wat Tyler.
- "Eagle" - Blackbox Records (1992)
- "Do the Right Thing" - Roughneck Records (1993)
- "Mackem Bastards" - Rugger Bugger Discs (1994)
- "Little White God" - Domino Records (1994)
- "Your Choice Live SeriesYour Choice RecordsYour Choice Records was a German independent record label founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts...
" - Your Choice RecordsYour Choice RecordsYour Choice Records was a German independent record label founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts...
(1995) - This was a split release with JawboxJawboxJawbox was an alternative rock band from Washington, D.C., U.S.. Its original members were J. Robbins , Kim Coletta and Adam Wade...
. - "BYO Split Series, Vol. 1" - BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
(1999) - This was a split release with Hot Water MusicHot Water MusicHot Water Music is a punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida. The members of the band are Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Rebelo. HWM first formed in 1993...
. - "Bonus Live" - Deranged RecordsDeranged RecordsDeranged Records is a Canadian punk record label based in Roberts Creek, British Columbia. It was founded in 1999 by Gordon Dufresne. Notable bands who have had releases with the label are Fucked Up, Career Suicide and Brutal Knights...
(2003)
Compilation appearances
- Going Underground - Released by Eurostar Records in 1992. Leatherface track: "I Want the Moon".
- The Pretty and the Vacant - Released by Released Emotions. Leatherface track: "Melody Lee" (by The Damned)
- Punk-Past, Present and Future - Released by Released Emotions. Leatherface track: "Melody Lee" (by The Damned)
- Another Kind Of Noise - Released by Continental RecordsContinental RecordsContinental Records was the name of two different record labels of the mid 20th century, one based in New York City, the United States of America, and the second based in São Paulo, Brazil....
in 1992. Leatherface track: "I Want the Moon". - Kill The Flippers With Guitar - Released by Vinyl Japan in 1992. Leatherface tracks: "Springtime" and "Colorado Joe / Leningrad Vlad".
- Rough Trade Volume 5 - Released by Rough Trade RecordsRough Trade RecordsRough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
in 1993. Leatherface track: "Do the Right Thing". - Independent Top 20 - Released by Beechwood Music in 1993. Leatherface track: "I Want the Moon".
- Fire Is Good - Released by Fire RecordsFire RecordsFire Records was an independent record label set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson . Among others, it released records by Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James and Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup.-Selected discography:...
. Leatherface tracks: "Eagle" (by ABBAABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
) and "Dreaming". - Weird and Wonderful - Released by Rough Trade RecordsRough Trade RecordsRough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
in 1993. Leatherface track: "Springtime". - Metal CD Volume 8 - Released by Mayking Records. Leatherface track: "Fat, Earthy, Flirt".
- For A Fistful Of Yens! - Released by Bitzcore Records in 1994. Leatherface track: "Animal Day".
- Mackem Music - The Sound Of Sunderland - Leatherface track: "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" (by Elvis).
- Rejected Volume II - Released by Rejected Records. Leatherface track: "Peasant In Paradise" (Live version recorded in Dublin in 1993)
- Der F.C. St. Pauli ist schuld dass ich so bin - Released by Bitzcore Records in 1998. Leatherface track: "Hops And St. Pauli!"
- We Are The People : A Tribute to the Angelic Upstarts - Released by Knock Out Records in 1998. Leatherface track: "Teenage Warning" (by the Angelic UpstartsAngelic UpstartsAngelic Upstarts are an English punk rock/Oi! band formed in South Shields in 1977. The band espoused an anti-fascist and socialist working class philosophy, and have been associated with the skinhead subculture...
). - We Deliver The Goods - Released by Cargo Records in 1999. Leatherface track: "Andy".
- Greetings From The Welfare State - Released by BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
in 1999. Leatherface track: "Boogie On Down". - Ritalin Riot 2 - Released by ADD Records. Leatherface track: "Grip".
- I Wouldn't Piss On It If It Was On Fire - Released by Fire RecordsFire RecordsFire Records was an independent record label set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson . Among others, it released records by Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James and Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup.-Selected discography:...
in 2000. Leatherface track: "I Want the Moon". - BYO Records Sampler 2001 - Released by BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
in 2001. Leatherface track: Little White God". - Planet Of Punks Volume 2 - Released by Straight Ahead Records in 2002. Leatherface track: Little White God".
- Sample This, Too! - Released by BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
in 2002. Leatherface track: "Andy". - Rejected Volume III - Released by Rejected Records in 2003. Leatherface track: "All I Need".
- BYO Records 2004 Spring Sampler - Released by BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
in 2004. Leatherface track: "Plastic Surgery". - Punk In Sunderland Volume 2 - Released by Stretch RecordsStretch RecordsStretch Records was established in 1997 by pianist/composer/producer Chick Corea and music industry veteran Ron Moss.The label claims to promote "music with no boundaries" though it has mostly released jazz music....
in 2004. Leatherface tracks: "Eagle" (by ABBAABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
) and "Moon River" (by Andy WilliamsAndy WilliamsHoward Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
). - Poison The World - Released by Poison City Records in 2005. Leatherface track: "Hoodlum".