Leatherface
Leatherface were a British punk rock band from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, fronted by Frankie Stubbs, and they built a reputation through relentless touring and a run of records released from the late 1980s into the 1990s.
Starting out in Sunderland
Leatherface formed in August 1988 with Frankie Stubbs on vocals and guitar, Stuart Scouler on bass, and HDQ members Andrew “Lainey” Laing on drums and Richard “Dickie” Hammon on guitar. Their first show was booked as an opening slot for GBH at the Riverside, but GBH did not arrive, so Leatherface played for about twenty minutes.
The band recorded an early demo at Desert Sounds studio in Gateshead and then headed out on a mainland Europe tour in May 1989 with Union Morbide. On that tour they performed as a trio because Hammon had scheduling conflicts with HDQ.
Cherry Knowle and the first lineup shift
In July 1989, Leatherface recorded their debut album Cherry Knowle at Beaumont Street Studios in Huddersfield for release on Meantime Records. Soon after recording, Scouler left the group. Rob Bewick joined on bass, followed by Dick “Head” Camm.
Roughneck years and a fast run of releases
In 1990, the band released the Beerpig EP and toured the United Kingdom with Fual, along with more European dates. Parts of the European run were again played as a trio, except for a show in Eindhoven where Hammon played with both Leatherface and HDQ.
After that tour, Rob Turnbull took over on bass, and the band signed to Roughneck Recording. They released their second album Fill Your Boots in 1990, along with the single “Razorblades And Aspirin” and the Smokey Joe EP.
Mush, Minx, and a busy early 1990s
The third album Mush arrived in 1991. In early 1992, Leatherface toured mainland Europe with support from Wat Tyler, then released a single covering ABBA’s “Eagle,” followed by the Compact And Bijou EP.
By the end of 1992, the band recorded their fourth album Minx, which was released in 1993. That year also brought the EP The Right Thing.
The Last and the breakup years
In 1994, Leatherface released their fifth album The Last and followed it with a UK headline tour. At the final date in Leeds, Stubbs announced from the stage that the band would end immediately, without the other members knowing in advance.
Accounts also place the split in late 1993, with The Last arriving as a posthumous mini album in 1994.
Reforming and recording again
Leatherface reformed in 1998 after the death of bass player Andy Crighton, who was also a member of Snuff. The band went on to release four more albums between 1999 and 2012.
Tributes, a TV music question, and other mentions
In 2008, Rubber Factory Records released a tribute album to Leatherface with 41 tracks by more than 35 artists, including Hot Water Music and The Sainte Catherines.
There has also been confusion about whether Leatherface’s cover of “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” appeared in the final episode of Sons of Anarchy, with evidence suggesting it was performed by Franky Perez and The Forest Rangers.
What happened after the split
After Leatherface broke up, Stubbs formed Jesse and Pope. Jesse released three singles and a self titled album between 1995 and 1998. Stubbs also performed solo, releasing a single in 1995 and a 10 inch EP in 2001. Hammon formed Dr Bison.
Stubbs also appeared on Duncan Redmonds’ 2009 collaboration album Bubble and Squeak on four tracks, alongside Redmonds, Loz Wong, and Wes Wasley, under the name “The Pissmops.” He is referenced in Franz Nicolay’s song “Frankie Stubbs Tears.”
“Heart is Home” was among the first four VinylVideos produced.
How their sound gets described
Leatherface have been described as combining elements associated with Hüsker Dü and Motörhead, with Stubbs known for rasping, gravelly vocals. Critics have also placed the band under labels such as emo, melodic hardcore, and punk rock.
Bands and artists they pointed to
- Dag Nasty
- The Exploited
- Descendents
- The Police
- Sex Pistols
- AC/DC
- Steel Pulse
- The Ruts
- Motörhead
- The Blood
Artists who have cited the band
- Samiam
- American Nightmare
- Lifetime
- Broccoli
- Hot Water Music
- Mil-Spec
- Avail
- Dillinger Four
- The Gaslight Anthem
Who played in the band
- Frankie Stubbs
- Dickie Hammond
- Andrew “Lainey” Laing
- Graeme Philliskirk
- David Lee Burdon
- Leighton Evans
- Andy Crighton
- Steven “Eagle” Charlton
- Andy Duncan
- Stuart Scouler
- Dickie Camm
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 Hot Water Music)
- Horsebox (2000), BYO Records
- Dog Disco (2004), BYO Records
- The Stormy Petrel (2010), Big Ugly Fish Recordings, No Idea Records, Poison City Records, Punk in Ya Face Records
Compilations and live releases
- Live in Oslo (1995), Rugger Bugger Discs
- Your Choice Live Series (1995), Your Choice Records (split LP with Jawbox)
- Discography Part One (1998), Rejected Records
- Discography Part Two (1998), Rejected Records
- 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 release)
Singles and EPs
- “Beerpig” (1990), Meantime Records
- “Razor Blades And Aspirin” (1990), Roughneck Records
- “Smokey Joe” (1990), Roughneck Records
- “Not Superstitious” (1991), Roughneck Records
- “I Want The Moon” (1991), Roughneck Records
- “Compact & Bijou” (1992), Roughneck Records
- “Hops & Barley” (1992), Clawfist Records (split 7 inch with Wat Tyler)
- “Eagle” (1992), Blackbox Records
- “Do the Right Thing” (1993), Roughneck Records
- “Mackem Bastards” (1994), Rugger Bugger Discs
- “Little White God” (1994), Domino Records
- “Bonus Live” (2003), Deranged Records
- Limited single packaged with some vinyl copies of Minx, containing “Dreaming” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
