Leatherface were a British punk rock band from Sunderland,

Tyne and Wear Tyne and Wear () is a metropolitan county in North East England, situated around the mouths of the rivers Tyne and Wear. It was created in 1974, by the Local Government Act 1972, along with five metropolitan boroughs of Gateshead, Newc ...

, 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 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' 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. Third album ''

Mush In multiplayer online games, a MUSH (a backronymed variation on MUD most often expanded as Multi-User Shared Hallucination, though Multi-User Shared Hack, Habitat, and Holodeck are also observed) is a text-based online social medium to which mul ...

'' was, according to

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

, "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 Snuff may refer to: Tobacco * Snuff (tobacco), fine-ground tobacco, sniffed into the nose ** Moist snuff or dipping tobacco ** Creamy snuff, an Indian tobacco paste Media and entertainment * Snuff film, a type of film that shows a murder Literat ...

). Four more albums followed between 1999 and 2012. Leatherface's music has been described as a cross between

Hüsker Dü Hüsker Dü () was an American punk rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist/vocalist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart. They first gained notabili ...

and

Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...

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

simile A simile () is a figure of speech that directly ''compares'' two things. Similes differ from other metaphors by highlighting the similarities between two things using comparison words such as "like", "as", "so", or "than", while other metaphors 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 often compared wi ...

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, pho ...

and obscure

allusion Allusion is a figure of speech, in which an object or circumstance from unrelated context is referred to covertly or indirectly. It is left to the audience to make the direct connection. Where the connection is directly and explicitly stated (as ...

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 Bl ...

and

Dillinger Four Dillinger Four, sometimes abbreviated as D4, is an American punk rock band formed in 1994 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have released four full-length studio albums. Since 1996, the band's lineup has been Patrick Costello on bass guitar and ...

. Rubber Factory Records released a

tribute album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records c ...

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 The Sainte Catherines were a Canadian six-piece punk-rock band who formed in Montreal 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 l ...

. Their cover of " Can't Help Falling In Love With You" was played in the final episode of '' Sons of Anarchy''.

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 in Northumberland, England, 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 t ...

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

and

Wat Tyler Wat Tyler (c. 1320/4 January 1341 – 15 June 1381) was a leader of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England. He led a group of rebels from Canterbury to London to oppose the institution of a poll tax and to demand economic and social reforms. Wh ...

. Stubbs was featured on Duncan Redmonds' 2009 collaboration album ''

Bubble and Squeak Bubble and squeak is a British dish made from cooked potatoes and cabbage, mixed together and fried. The food writer Howard Hillman classes it as one of the "great peasant dishes of the world".Hillman, pp. 62–63 The dish has been known sin ...

'' 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 Franz Nicolay (born 1977) is an American musician and writer. He is best known for playing the accordion and piano in The World/Inferno Friendship Society and keyboards in The Hold Steady from 2005 to 2010 and again from 2016 onwards. He is als ...

'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. Sunderland Association Football Club (, ) is an English professional football club based in the city of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Formed in 1879, Sunderland play in the Championship, the second tier of English football. The club has won six t ...

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.

Discography

Albums

* '' Cherry Knowle'' (1989), Meantime Records *'' Fill Your Boots'' (1990), Roughneck Records *''

'' (1991), Roughneck Records *''

Minx Minx, MinX or MINX may refer to: Music * MINX (band), dissolved South Korean girl group replaced by Dreamcatcher * MINX (musician) (born 1983), Australian DJ and producer * ''Minx'' (Leatherface album), 1993 * ''Minx'' (Toyah album), 1985 Pr ...

'' (1993), Roughneck Records *''The Last'' (1994),

Domino Recording Company Domino Recording Company or simply Domino is a British independent record label based in London. There is also a wing of the label based in Brooklyn, New York that handles releases in the United States, as well as a German division called Dom ...

(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. The label also organizes The Fest, an independently operated ...

/Poison City Records/Punk in Ya Face 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.wikipe ...

, (split LP with

Jawbox Jawbox is an American alternative rock band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1989 by J. Robbins (vocals/guitar), Kim Coletta (bass), and Adam Wade (drums). After the trio released the album '' Grippe'' in 1991, Bill Barbot (guitar/vocals) joi ...

) *''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 Karin Krog (born 15 May 1937) is a Norwegian jazz singer. Life and career Krog began singing jazz as a teenager and attracted attention while performing in jam sessions in Oslo. In 1955, she was hired by the pianist Kjell Karlsen to sing in ...

(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 many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, j ...

" – 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 Imaginary Records was an independent record label based in Heywood, Greater Manchester, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock and post-punk. It was started in 1985 by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical contributions to Porcupine Tree's f ...

, 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 Continental Records was a record company founded by Donald H. Gabor in 1942 producing and releasing jazz, blues and classical music. Its catalogue included issues by Cozy Cole, Edmond Hall, Sabby Lewis, Slam Stewart, Mary Lou Williams, Rubber ...

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

Fire Records Fire Records was an American independent record label, set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson. Amongst others, it released records by Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James, Buster Brown and Arthur Crudup. At one point it was thought Fire had issued the la ...

. Tracks: "Eagle" (by

ABBA ABBA ( , , formerly named Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid or Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida) are a Swedish supergroup formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group ...

) 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 Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the " King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His ener ...

). *''Rejected Volume II'', Rejected Records. Track: "Peasant In Paradise" (Live version recorded in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 c ...

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 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". Angelic Upstarts Biography AllMusic. accessed 3 July 2006 T ...

). *''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'',

, 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 Stretch Records is an American record company and label that was established in 1997 by Chick Corea and music industry veteran Ron Moss. The label claims to promote "music with no boundaries", although it has mostly released jazz music. Corea is ...

, 2004. Tracks: "Eagle" (by

) and "Moon River" (by Andy Williams). *''Poison The World'', Poison City Records, 2005. Track: "Hoodlum".

References

External links

Official Leatherface site
*

Interview With Late Night Wallflower 2008 (Dickie Hammond and Graeme Philliskirk)Mush review
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leatherface Leatherface (band) Musical groups from Sunderland