Leatherface was a British

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

band from

Sunderland Sunderland () is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. It is a port at the mouth of the River Wear on the North Sea, approximately south-east of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is the most p ...

Tyne and Wear Tyne and Wear () is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in North East England. It borders Northumberland to the north and County Durham to the south, and the largest settlement is the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The county is ...

, fronted by Frankie Stubbs. ''

Trouser Press ''Trouser Press'' was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow fan of the Who, Dave Schulps, and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" (a reference ...

'' called them "England's finest, most exciting punk band of the 90s" and ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'' has called them "the greatest British punk band of the modern era."

History and background

Formed in August 1988 by Frankie Stubbs and Dickie Hammond (also of HDQ), Leatherface released four full-length albums before their initial split in 1993. Their third album '' Mush'' was, according to

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

, "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." The band split in late 1993, – 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. Leatherface's music has been described as a cross between Hüsker Dü and

Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1975 by bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. Kilmister was the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band a ...

, a notable element being Stubbs' rasping, "gravelly" vocals. The lyrics often feature far-fetched

simile A simile () is a type of figure of speech that directly ''compares'' two things. Similes are often contrasted with metaphors, where similes necessarily compare two things using words such as "like", "as", while metaphors often create an implicit c ...

metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide, or obscure, clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas. Metaphors are usually meant to cr ...

word play Word play or wordplay (also: play-on-words) is a literary technique and a form of wit in which words used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement. Examples of word play include puns, ph ...

and obscure

allusion Allusion, or alluding, is a figure of speech that makes a reference to someone or something by name (a person, object, location, etc.) without explaining how it relates to the given context, so that the audience must realize the connection in the ...

s. 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 Hot Water Music is an American punk rock band formed in October 1994 and based in Gainesville, Florida. Since their formation, the group has consisted of Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard on shared lead vocals and guitars, bass guitarist Jason B ...

and Dillinger Four. Rubber Factory Records released a

tribute album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track or cassette), or digital. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century a ...

to Leatherface in 2008, featuring 41 tracks by over 35 artists from several different countries who were influenced by the band, including

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 ''Sons of Anarchy'' is an American Action film, action crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter for FX (TV channel), FX. Originally aired from September 3, 2008, to December 9, 2014, ''Sons of Anarchy'' follows the lives of a close-k ...

'' as there is evidence it was performed by Franky Perez & The Forest Rangers.

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 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 su ...

, Four Letter Word, Drive, Hooton 3 Car, Midway Still, Monkhouse, Snuff and

Wat Tyler Wat Tyler (1341 or – 15 June 1381) was a leader of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in Kingdom of England, England. He led a group of rebels from Canterbury to City of London, London to oppose the collection of a Tax per head, poll tax and to dem ...

. 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". 'Heart is Home' was among the first four VinylVideos ever produced. Frankie Stubbs is a supporter of Sunderland A.F.C.

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

* '' Cherry Knowle'' (1989), Meantime Records *'' Fill Your Boots'' (1990), Roughneck Records *'' Mush'' (1991), Roughneck Records *'' Minx'' (1993), Roughneck Records *''The Last'' (1994), Domino Recording Company (mini-LP) *''BYO Split Series, Vol. 1'' (1999), BYO Records, (Split LP with

) *''Horsebox'' (2000), BYO Records *''Dog Disco'' (2004), BYO Records *'' The Stormy Petrel'' (2010)
Big Ugly Fish Recordings

No Idea Records No Idea Records is an American independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which focuses on punk rock and its sub-styles and produces both vinyl records and compact discs. No Idea Records started not as a record label, but as a zine ...

/Poison City Records/Punk in Ya Face Records * '' Cherry Knowle'' (2023), Little Rocket Records

Compilation and live albums

*''Live in Oslo'' (1995), Rugger Bugger Discs *''Discography Part One'' (1998), Rejected Records *''Discography Part Two'' (1998), Rejected Records *''Your Choice Live Series'' (1995)

Your Choice Records 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.http://www.de.wikiped ...

, (split LP with

Jawbox Jawbox is an American post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1989. The band currently consists of J. Robbins (vocals/guitar), Kim Coletta (bass), Zach Barocas (drums), and Brooks Harlan (guitars/vocals). The original lineup consis ...

) *''Boat in the Smoke'' (2004), Live DVD – Punkervision *''Live in Melbourne – Viva La Arthouse'' (2011), Big Ugly Fish Recordings/No Idea Records/Poison City Records/Punk in Ya Face *''Razor Blades And Aspirin: 1990-1993'' (2015), Fire Records (Record Store Day 2015 release)

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) *"Compact & Bijou" – Roughneck Records (1992) *"Hops & Barley" – Clawfist Records (1992) (split 7-inch with

) *"

Eagle Eagle is the common name for the golden eagle, bald eagle, and other birds of prey in the family of the Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of Genus, genera, some of which are closely related. True eagles comprise the genus ''Aquila ( ...

" – Blackbox Records (1992) *"Do the Right Thing" – Roughneck Records (1993) *"Mackem Bastards" – Rugger Bugger Discs (1994) *"Little White God" – Domino Records (1994) *"Bonus Live" – Deranged Records (2003) 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

* Discipline (1989) * Peasant in Paradise (1990) * Razorblades and Aspirin (1990) * Talkin' 'bout a Revolution (1992) * Do the Right Thing (1993)

Compilation appearances

*''Seconds Out, Round One'', Imaginary Records, 1992. Tracks:"Not Superstitious", "One To Say", "Discipline". *''Going Underground'', Eurostar Records, 1992. Track: "I Want the Moon". *''The Pretty and the Vacant'', Released Emotions. Track: "Melody Lee" (by The Damned) *''Punk-Past, Present and Future'', Released Emotions. Track: "Melody Lee" by The Damned *''Another Kind Of Noise'', Continental Records, 1992. Track: "I Want the Moon". *''Kill The Flippers With Guitar'', Vinyl Japan, 1992. Tracks: "Springtime" and "Colorado Joe / Leningrad Vlad". *''Rough Trade Volume 5'',

Rough Trade Records Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London, England. It was formed in 1976 by Geoff Travis, who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove. It is currently run by co-managing directors Travis and Jeannette Lee and ...

, 1993. Track: "Do the Right Thing". *''Independent Top 20'', Beechwood Music, 1993. Track: "I Want the Moon". *''Fire Is Good'', Fire Records. Tracks: "Eagle" (by

ABBA ABBA ( ) were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They are one of the most popular and successful musical groups of all time, and are one of the List ...

) and "Dreaming". *''Weird and Wonderful'', Rough Trade Records, 1993. Track: "Springtime". *''Metal CD Volume 8'', Mayking Records. Track: "Fat, Earthy, Flirt". *''For A Fistful Of Yens!'', Bitzcore Records, 1994. Track: "Animal Day". *''Mackem Music – The Sound Of Sunderland''. Track: "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" (by Elvis). *''Rejected Volume II'', Rejected Records. Track: "Peasant In Paradise" (Live version recorded in

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

in 1993) *''Der F.C. St. Pauli ist schuld dass ich so bin'', Bitzcore Records, 1998. Track: "Hops And St. Pauli!" *''We Are The People : A Tribute to the Angelic Upstarts'', Knock Out Records, 1998. Track: "Teenage Warning" (by Angelic Upstarts). *''We Deliver The Goods'', Cargo Records, 1999. Track: "Andy". *''Greetings From The Welfare State'', BYO Records, 1999. Track: "Boogie On Down". *''Ritalin Riot 2'', ADD Records. Track: "Grip". *''I Wouldn't Piss On It If It Was On Fire'', Fire Records, 2000. Track: "I Want the Moon". *''BYO Records Sampler 2001'', BYO Records, 2001. Track: Little White God". *''Planet Of Punks Volume 2'', Straight Ahead Record, 2002. Track: Little White God". *''Sample This, Too!'', BYO Records, 2002. Leatherface track: "Andy". *''Rejected Volume III'', Rejected Records, 2003. Track: "All I Need". *''BYO Records 2004 Spring Sampler'', BYO Records, 2004. Track: "Plastic Surgery". *''Punk In Sunderland Volume 2'', Stretch Records, 2004. Tracks: "Eagle" (by

) and "Moon River" (by

Andy Williams Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...

). *''Poison The World'', Poison City Records, 2005. Track: "Hoodlum".

References

External links

Stormy Petrel Tour Info Leatherface site
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leatherface Leatherface (band) Musical groups from Sunderland British hardcore punk groups