Album Title: “The Stormy Petrel”
Release Date: March 30, 2010
Record Label: No Idea Records

It’s a tall order to describe Leatherface in a single paragraph, given the seemingly monumental footprint they’ve left on our little world of DIY punk rock. From across the pond, they encompass everything there is to love about independent music – inventing a trademarked and unmistakable playing style, influencing and inspiring dozens of bands who have since risen to the top of the heap, and always maintaining their humility and integrity. Renowned for Stubbs’ weathered yet melodic rasp and soaring Gordon Smith guitars, Leatherface (commonly referred to as The Boat) champion the working stiff above all else, a testament to their native heritage and unflinching perseverance. Lyrically, The Stormy Petrel finds Stubbs continuing his tongue-in-cheek social rhetoric, his wit sharpening and more biting with each passing year, shrewdly disguised as seemingly maniacal rambings. Resplendent in his Canadian Ushanka, re-united with original guitarist Dickie Hammond, and backed by a motley pair of beached Limeys, Frankie has and will always exude charm and bashful eminence in the live arena as few others can. Together, they practically radiate an undeniable warmth and majesty, their bowed backs straightening with the same electric, youthful vigor that I feel pulsing through these songs.

No Idea Overlord Var says…
This moment is quite literally twenty years in the making for me. What’s the story here? Is it about a kid hearing a band for the first time in 1990? Is it about the impact felt by a vastly influential, yet humbly underground band? Let us just say that without LEATHERFACE there would be no HOT WATER MUSIC as we know them. THE TIM VERSION and TILTWHEEL would have a big problem. And there would be a lot less tattoos of boats. I have reached the conclusion that this is enough. I salute the Boat and their brilliant new album.

The Story: Leatherface was born in August 1988 with an original line-up of Frankie Stubbs, Dickie Hammond, Stuart Schooler (bass), and Andrew Laing (drums). Nobody wanted to sing, so songs were written without vocals. Practices were held in Stubbs’ moldy garage, shows were sporadic and often disastrous. Several months later, they began recording their first demo. Stubbs penned a handful of lyrics the day before they went into the studio, and thus became the de-facto vocalist. They embarked on their first European tour in May of 1989. What followed? Two decades of broken vans, a dozen bassists, and a score of members passing in and out as the years dragged on. Where do they stand today? Much the same as they began, abeit a bit wiser, a bit longer in the fang, and now standing humbly atop a legacy of monumental works.

Tour History: Throughout the late 80’s and 90’s, Leatherface pounded the road relentlessly, hammering out countless tours of the UK, Europe, and Japan. Their first trip stateside came in 1999, when they undertook a two-and-a-half month trek across the entire US alongside Hot Water Music. They returned again the following year for legs with Samiam and Avail, and again in 2001, covering the entire States with Small Brown Bike and HWM. Most recently, they came across for a two-week jaunt up and down the East Coast in late 2008, including an appearance at The Fest 7, and verily hours ago at the time of this writing, wrapped up a massively successful three-week trek through Canada and the East Coast alongside Yesterday’s Ring, The Riot Before, Lemuria, and Bridge & Tunnel.

Future Plans: Once the album has sunk it’s teeth in, they’ll return to our shores for a six-week crusade throughout the entire continental United States alongside Ninja Gun in May and June of 2010.

Official Leatherface Website
Leatherface on MySpace
Leatherface tour dates