Leeway (band)
Encyclopedia
Leeway is a crossover thrash band formed in Astoria, New York, USA in 1984 by guitarist A.J. Novello and vocalist Eddie Sutton under the name The Unruled. They played alongside groups such as Crumbsuckers
, Prong, Ludichrist
, Bad Brains
, and Sick of It All
at the predominantly hardcore punk
-oriented CBGB
venue and had metal influences from the start. Guitarist and songwriter A.J. Novello said:
The fact that the band experimented with sound, had two guitarists riffing and solo-ing between them and the singer dressed in skeleton outfits and Yankees uniforms also set them out from the rest of the hardcore punk
scene.
In November, 1987 they entered the Normandy Sound studio in Warren, Rhode Island
and recorded their first album, Born to Expire
. However, due to delays and postponements, the album was not released until January, 1989. Three follow-ups ensued – Desperate Measures, Adult Crash
, and Open Mouth Kiss
– before the band split in 1996. There was a short lived reunion in 2006 which saw the band playing again,most notably with the Bad Brains, at CBGB and a European Festival tour, which was the last time the band performed live.
Their song "Enforcer" has recently been featured on the playlist of the radio show "L.C.H.C" in the game GTA IV in 2008.
Crumbsuckers
Crumbsuckers was a 1980s crossover/thrash band that formed in 1982 on Long Island by bass player Gary Meskil in their home town of Baldwin.-History:...
, Prong, Ludichrist
Ludichrist
Ludichrist was an American hardcore punk/speed metal band formed in the 1980s in New York. Their musical style broke from traditional New York hardcore roots by adding aspects of rock, heavy metal and jazz, like extended guitar solos and musical interludes...
, Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
, and Sick of It All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
at the predominantly 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...
-oriented CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
venue and had metal influences from the start. Guitarist and songwriter A.J. Novello said:
The fact that the band experimented with sound, had two guitarists riffing and solo-ing between them and the singer dressed in skeleton outfits and Yankees uniforms also set them out from the rest of the 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...
scene.
In November, 1987 they entered the Normandy Sound studio in Warren, Rhode Island
Warren, Rhode Island
Warren is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,611 at the 2010 census.-History:Warren was the site of the Indian village of Sowams on the peninsula called Pokanoket , and was first explored by Europeans in 1621, by Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins...
and recorded their first album, Born to Expire
Born to Expire
Born to Expire is the debut album from New York band, Leeway.It was recorded in November, 1987. Delays postponed its release to January, 1989 – jointly on Rock Hotel and Profile Records. It was followed up by Desperate Measures in 1991...
. However, due to delays and postponements, the album was not released until January, 1989. Three follow-ups ensued – Desperate Measures, Adult Crash
Adult Crash
Adult Crash is the third album by New York band, Leeway. It was released in October, 1994 on Bulletproof Records and follows Desperate Measures. It was followed by 1995's Open Mouth Kiss.-Track listing:* All songs written by A.J...
, and Open Mouth Kiss
Open Mouth Kiss
Open Mouth Kiss is the fourth album by New York band, Leeway. It was released in 1995 on Bulletproof Records and follows Adult Crash from 1994. It is the band's final album to date....
– before the band split in 1996. There was a short lived reunion in 2006 which saw the band playing again,most notably with the Bad Brains, at CBGB and a European Festival tour, which was the last time the band performed live.
Their song "Enforcer" has recently been featured on the playlist of the radio show "L.C.H.C" in the game GTA IV in 2008.
Early Leeway History (1983-1986)
- December 1983 – First Leeway lineup gets together in Astoria, NY. AJ Novello Guitar, Saso Motroni Drums, Jose Ochoa Bass, Eddie Pomponio Vocals. The Bands name at this time was the Unruled.
- June 15, 1984 – 1st show – Queens, NY – “Coventry“Club with Gilligan’s revenge and the NY Hoods (Performed under the name Unruled)
- September 6th 1984 – 1st show as Leeway – The Dive Club – NYC
- December 22nd 1984 – first demo recorded at Don Fury’s Studio – 4 songs:
- Be Loud
- Catholic High school (Girls in Trouble)
- Lovesick
- Vengeance
- February 1985 – First demo released
- February 16th 1985 – First CBGB Show – With Articles of Faith and C.O.C
- May 19th 1985 – Second CBGB Show – “Guillotine” Benefit
- July 1985 – Second demo “Enforcer” Recorded at Don Fury’s
- September 1985 – “Enforcer” Demo released – 5 Songs:
- Enforcer
- Marathon
- On The Outside
- Self –Defense
- Be Loud
- February 1986 – Third CBGB Show with A.O.D
- March 1986 – Forth CBGB Show with C.O.C and Damage – Johnny Feedback from Kraut sitting in on Drums
- June 7, 1986 – 1st show at Ritz – GBH, Agnostic Front and Crumbsuckers (Mackie on Drums)
- September – 1986 – Gordon Ancis joins on 2nd Guitar
- December 27, 1986 – 2nd show at Ritz - Bad Brains, S.N.F.U, Warzone and Nausea (Mackie on Drums)
Members
- Eddie Sutton – vocals
- A.J. Novello – guitar
- Pokey Mo – drums
- Jimmy Xanthos – bass
- Michael Gibbons – guitar http://www.gibbonsongs.com/
Past members
- Saso Motroni – drums
- Jose Ochoa – bass
- Zowie – bass
- Tony Fontão – drums
- Eddie Cohen – bass
- Mackie – drums
Discography
| Release date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Born to Expire Born to Expire Born to Expire is the debut album from New York band, Leeway.It was recorded in November, 1987. Delays postponed its release to January, 1989 – jointly on Rock Hotel and Profile Records. It was followed up by Desperate Measures in 1991... |
Profile Records Profile Records Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be... /Rock Hotel |
| 1991 | Desperate Measures | Profile Records/Rock Hotel |
| 1994 | Adult Crash Adult Crash Adult Crash is the third album by New York band, Leeway. It was released in October, 1994 on Bulletproof Records and follows Desperate Measures. It was followed by 1995's Open Mouth Kiss.-Track listing:* All songs written by A.J... |
Bulletproof Records |
| 1995 | Open Mouth Kiss Open Mouth Kiss Open Mouth Kiss is the fourth album by New York band, Leeway. It was released in 1995 on Bulletproof Records and follows Adult Crash from 1994. It is the band's final album to date.... |
Bulletproof Records |
| 1996 | Born to Expire Born to Expire Born to Expire is the debut album from New York band, Leeway.It was recorded in November, 1987. Delays postponed its release to January, 1989 – jointly on Rock Hotel and Profile Records. It was followed up by Desperate Measures in 1991... /Desperate Measures |
Another Planet - split re-issue |
External links
- BNR Metal band page
- PUNKCAST#12 live video @ Wetlands, NYC, on April 4, 1999. (RealPlayerRealPlayerRealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
)