LEATHERFACE : Studio albums ranked
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2024
- A tribute to Dickie Hammond. Rest In Peace.
Taking their name from the cult classic horror film, 90s underground punk icons, Leatherface, were stalwarts of the UK scene, arriving at a time many thought that brand of brash songwriting had had its day. Re-writing the rule book when it came to punk requisites; passion; angst, and power combined with undeniable songwriting and technical prowess. Led by the impassioned and emotive wordsmith Frankie Stubbs, it made them one of the most exhilarating bands of their time.
Hailing from the industrial town of Sunderland, Leatherface formed in 1988. With a line-up consisting of Stubbs, guitarist Dickie Hammond, bass player Stuart Schooler, and drummer Andrew Laing. Stubbs’ rasping vocals complimented the explosive hooks and thrashing guitars, which quickly became their trademark.
Following on from 1989’s ‘Cherry Knowle’, 1990 saw the band sign to Fire and release the fierce and defining, ‘Fill Your Boots’. With Stubbs and Hammond beginning to collaborate more on songwriting, it also introduced new bassist Rob Turnball. (Breaking in a new bass player every album would quickly become a trend for the band.) From this album ‘Razor Blades And Aspirin’ and ‘Peasant in Paradise’ would remain in their repertoire for over twenty years. With ‘Fill Your Boots’ proving a success, later that year they would go on to produce the Smokey Joe EP. However, it was 1991’s follow-up ‘Mush’ that’s continually been regarded as an absolute punk classic. Teaming up with engineer Paul Tipler (who also worked on Stereolab and Chapterhouse), ‘Mush’ was recorded in Greenhouse Studios in North London (owned by Pat Collier of The Vibrators). Following praise from the music press, they soon found themselves doing John Peel and Mark Radcliffe sessions.
Gaining attention throughout the UK and with popularity in the US on the horizon with ‘Mush’, ‘Minx’ was released in 1993. Arriving at the peak of their powers it would also be on the brink of their first hiatus. Channeling Stubbs’ love for Joy Division, the new album had a more emotional direction, in contrast to the group’s earlier recordings. Recorded in Stubbs’ home studio, ‘Minx’ came with the addition of their much loved fourth bassist, former Snuff band member Andy Crichton. The album has since been considered a lost classic by the band’s rabid followers. 
Видеоклипы
Sunderland's greatest sons. Excellent and informative retrospective. What a band ey?
Great episode...I was also at that big Kilburn show and remember Frankie, at their merch table, showing me the Mush album which hadn't yet been released. I also saw them again later that year in Austria supporting Poison Idea, what a gig that was! Anyway, I think Mush might just be one of my most played albums ever, definitely in my top ten.
What an entertaining thing to watch a fellow leatherface fan talk all about the band. Phenomenal stuff my friend! However, when mentioning Horsebox, ya' gotta mention Choice. That song has some of the most magical melodies on that record. Especially the ending of the song. Pure bliss!!
Saw them on the Mush tour and a couple of times after. Mush has to be one of my fave albums of all time 👌
In my all time top 15 punk albums
Great overview. Leatherface is one of my all-time favorite bands. That Jesse self-titled record is so fantastic (particularly "Gone Fishing" and "Room") I almost want to include it in the Leatherface discography as Leighton from Jesse joined Frankie to form Leatherface 2.0 playing on the HWM split and Horsebox. And, man, you UK guys were spoiled in the 90's, China Drum / Broccoli / Hooten 3 Car / MC4/ Snuff /Four Letter Word / Leatherface...good grief. Super glad I got to see them twice with Dickie on the Stormy Petrel tour when they came to the states.
Thank you so much!! Ahh yes china drum!! What a great band they were!!
Thanks for this mate! Had a blast watching. What a band. I have a strange love for "Dog Disco" (gotta be in my top 3 with Mush and Minx). I think Plastic Surgery might be my fav punk rock ballad. Much props from Chile. Viva Leatherface, RIP Dickie.
What a band! Best punk band ever!
I got to see them play in Boston around 2010 after they released The Stormy Petrel. Dickie was on that tour with them. Best show I ever saw.
Thanks for the great summary. Leatherface deserves this in-depth analysis...best band ever.
Horsebox is maybe their most underrated album. “Lorrydrivers Son” and “Box Jellyfish” are two of their (many) best.
Rubberlover makes a good point about Jesse. “Gone Fishin” is as good as any Leatherface song.
Also have to mention “Punch” and “Wax Lyrical” from HWM split.
Best band ever. Thanks again for the review!
Gone fishing is so good
Yes sir! Horsebox is one of their best LP!
Spot on assessment as always. Mush one of my top ten of all time recordings.
Cheers, Dave!!
Yes, this is a masterpiece for sure, perfect like you mentioned, also your mention of Poison Idea, great band too, my fave from the start, totally agree on Feel The Darkness album, Cheers and thanks for showing these great albums
Thank you, and apologies for my late reply.
Great review. Horsebox is totally underrated. As you said - Box jelly and the cover song are amazing.
Love the reference to their one sided 12". Andy is beautiful. You didn't mention it but Patrick Kills Me off The Last is one of my favourites.
I usually manage to forget about 20 things I wanted to say and add about 20 things I didn't plan to say haha
Patrick Kills Me is probably one of my favorites as well. Together with Do The Right Thing...
Great vid. Started listening to Doctor Bison, never played them before. Really good
Fantastic!!
So cool to see someone on RUclips talking ‘bout Leatherface! Love them all, but ‘Dog Disco’ is one of my favorites.
i remember when there were 2 Leatherface fan sites on the INTERNET, and one of them was John Shipyards aka x1984x. Yes its great to see you all here xo
I thought Minx was a brilliant album. Lyrically they were way ahead and it came as no surprise that they were not championed by the 'musical media'.
Fantastic video, and I agree the Stormy Petrel is probably their second best album. I'm still bummed Leatherface were denied entry to the US and I didn't get to see them on that last tour.
Thanks, Robert!
The Last is one of my favourites and the other one I love very much is The Stormy Petrel. I guess I like their farewell albums.
Saw them at Newport tjs back in the day, also when I moved to Bristol they played the croft where i saw them as well, always a fun live band, tjs if I remember rightly they were supported by the Cardiff melodic punk band 4 letter word.
Nice video, cool t-shirt!!
I like the change to Analog Attack, by the way. Analog Violence, Analog Love... nah. Analog Attack!!
Danke!
can we say something about their choice of album covers? I find them interesting, fascinating and many cuts above the average punk album cover. Another thing that sets them apart from almost all other punk bands is that their final LP, The Stormy Petrel, showed no decline whatsoever in excellence and creativity.
1.mush 2.minx
Best punk band of the last 30 years. What magnificent music. Check out their Peel sessions. Doesn't Cherry Knowle need a remix? Here is a conversation I had on youtube re Cherry Knowle.
Yul Grynner
3 years ago
Why do I have to put my speaker in a council rubbish bin just to hear the slightest hint of a bass guitar?
Peter Jones
3 years ago
Ha. That would be my fault.
Yul Grynner
2 years ago
The album is pretty fucking awesome m8, can it be remastered or summat?
Peter Jones
2 years ago
I'd be happy to have a go if the band are up for it.
willie luncheonette
8 months ago
@Peter Jones it does have some bottom end, but i guess it's not from the bass...Yes, please ask Frankie if he would be amenable...Great album
Peter Jones
8 months ago
@willie luncheonette Nice idea but I have no idea how to get in touch.
willie luncheonette
8 months ago
@Peter Jones they don't have a FB page, or bandcamp, or twitter account? There's got to be some way to get in touch with someone these days. A record company that would know or a band member. Maybe I'll try myself...lol
willie luncheonette
8 months ago
@Peter Jones BTW is this album as well as Mush recorded digitally and not analog? I have both the CD and first press vinyl of both and the sound is quite similar, leading me to think it was recorded digitally. Usually if an album is analog and I compare it to a 44/16 CD I can hear the difference
Peter Jones
8 months ago
@willie luncheonette It was recorded on 16 track 1" tape - which was later lost in a fire. I'm assuming that the band pick up these comments about re-mastering, but maybe not.
26:21 Do The Right Thing! Was that intentional?