Leathermouth
Encyclopedia
Leathermouth was the hardcore side project led by My Chemical Romance
's rhythm guitarist Frank Iero
. The band formed in 2007, and in January 2009 released their first album XO
.
's rhythm guitarist Frank Iero
. Iero heard a few demo tracks from the band, and wanted to sign the band to his own independent label, Skeleton Crew. It was not until the previous lead singer had failed to write any lyrics that Iero became a member. As a member of Leathermouth, this is the first project where he contributes lyrics and lead vocals since Pencey Prep (who broke up before My Chemical Romance was formed). Iero uses the project as a way to vent about the way he sees the world and also to let out his personal struggles with depression and anxiety. Leathermouth played their first shows in the summer of 2008 alongside Warship
for the Fall 2008 Reggie and the Full Effect
"Farewell Tour". Iero hopes to tour with Leathermouth when he is not working with My Chemical Romance.
In October 2008, Leathermouth signed to Epitaph Records
as opposed to Frank Iero's label as originally planned. Iero thought that it would be difficult to promote the album himself, if released through his own label, with his current obligations to My Chemical Romance and the other bands signed to his label. Epitaph Records president, Brett Gurewitz
, was impressed with the band's "intensity and songwriting of the music." Leathermouth released their first studio album on January 27, 2009 through Epitaph entitled XO
. Although the album did not chart on the Billboard 200
, it did reach #21 on the Top Heatseekers
chart.
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
's rhythm guitarist Frank Iero
Frank Iero
Frank Anthony Iero Jr is the rhythm guitarist, co-lead guitarist and backup vocalist of the alternative rock band My Chemical Romance as well as the vocalist of the post-hardcore band Leathermouth.-Early life:...
. The band formed in 2007, and in January 2009 released their first album XO
XO (Leathermouth album)
-Personnel:Leathermouth*Frank Iero – Lead vocals*Rob Hughes – Guitar, backing vocals*John McGuire – bass, backing vocals*James Dewees – drums, percussion*Ed Auletta – GuitarAdditional personnel...
.
History
Leathermouth formed in 2005 by some friends of My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
's rhythm guitarist Frank Iero
Frank Iero
Frank Anthony Iero Jr is the rhythm guitarist, co-lead guitarist and backup vocalist of the alternative rock band My Chemical Romance as well as the vocalist of the post-hardcore band Leathermouth.-Early life:...
. Iero heard a few demo tracks from the band, and wanted to sign the band to his own independent label, Skeleton Crew. It was not until the previous lead singer had failed to write any lyrics that Iero became a member. As a member of Leathermouth, this is the first project where he contributes lyrics and lead vocals since Pencey Prep (who broke up before My Chemical Romance was formed). Iero uses the project as a way to vent about the way he sees the world and also to let out his personal struggles with depression and anxiety. Leathermouth played their first shows in the summer of 2008 alongside Warship
Warship (band)
Warship was a post-hardcore band formed in Long Island in 2008. Former From Autumn to Ashes members Francis Mark and Rob Lauritsen formed the band following the From Autumn to Ashes' announced indefinite hiatus on June 9, 2008...
for the Fall 2008 Reggie and the Full Effect
Reggie and the Full Effect
Reggie and the Full Effect was a Kansas City indie rock band, the solo project for The Get Up Kids keyboardist James Dewees.-Early years, Greatest Hits 1984-1987, Promotional Copy and Under the Tray :...
"Farewell Tour". Iero hopes to tour with Leathermouth when he is not working with My Chemical Romance.
In October 2008, Leathermouth signed to Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
as opposed to Frank Iero's label as originally planned. Iero thought that it would be difficult to promote the album himself, if released through his own label, with his current obligations to My Chemical Romance and the other bands signed to his label. Epitaph Records president, Brett Gurewitz
Brett Gurewitz
Brett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
, was impressed with the band's "intensity and songwriting of the music." Leathermouth released their first studio album on January 27, 2009 through Epitaph entitled XO
XO (Leathermouth album)
-Personnel:Leathermouth*Frank Iero – Lead vocals*Rob Hughes – Guitar, backing vocals*John McGuire – bass, backing vocals*James Dewees – drums, percussion*Ed Auletta – GuitarAdditional personnel...
. Although the album did not chart on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, it did reach #21 on the Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart.
Members
- Frank IeroFrank IeroFrank Anthony Iero Jr is the rhythm guitarist, co-lead guitarist and backup vocalist of the alternative rock band My Chemical Romance as well as the vocalist of the post-hardcore band Leathermouth.-Early life:...
– lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Rob Hughes – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals - Ed Auletta – rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
- John McGuire – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - James DeweesJames DeweesJames Dewees is an American musician who has been involved in many musical projects including Coalesce, The Get Up Kids, Reggie and the Full Effect, New Found Glory, My Chemical Romance, and, most recently, Leathermouth....
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion