I did an interview with Frankie Stubbs, lead singer of Leatherface in 1992. He talked to me from his home in the north of England, in a town called Sunderland. The band had just released "Mush" on Seed Records. Here are some of the highlights from our conversation, followed by some current observations on this band.
Me: How did the band start?
Frankie: We started...I don't know! We were all drinking companions who were use to making noise. We got together and set up our stuff in the guitar players house and make noise...that was August of 1998.
Me: Was it easy to find places to play?
Frankie: We were really lucky. It's not that easy. It's very hard in England, but we managed to get a couple of tours in Germany and in Holland and that was before a proper tour here in the U.K.
Me: Is there a receptive local music scene?
Frankie: (chuckle) In Sunderland? No. It's never been the most receptive place to play but it is getting better?
Me: Tell us about "Mush"?
Frankie: We recorded it in the Greenhouse in London. the Greenhouse is owned by Pat Collier (Vibrators) and it took about 7 days to do. There was lots of shouting and that's the way it was. I am very happy with it.
Me: This isn't your first release?
Frankie: No, the first came in 1989. That was an LP on MainLine Records. But the album kept getting deleted by the label.
Me: Did you enjoy spending time in the studio?
Frankie: That was really the first time of working in a professional studio. It's a real difference from working in the Northeast. London was really nice. We recorded, could watch MTV and watch football.
Me: Does "Mush" capture the bands live spirit?
Frankie: A lot of people have said that this is actually what we sound like. I don't really know what we sound like when we are up on stage and this record kind of lets us know.
Me: What are you touring plans?
Frankie: We are touring Britain, Ireland and Scotland. It starts in the end of February and goes through June. Senseless Things is headlining and we'll be supporting them. China Drum will be opening some of the shows.
Me: Any talk of the States?
Frankie: There are plans for the U.S. , but right now it's just talk.
Me: anyone in particular that you would like to tour with?
Frankie: Poison Idea would be good!
Me:The bands sound, has it evolved or did you start out with a particular sound mind?
Frankie: It has just evolved. It just was that way from the start, I guess that evolves is the wrong word...when the four of us started playing, that's the way it was!
Me: Is there any kind of philosophy to the band?
Frankie: Songs! Songs are our motivation. My main goal is to write a classic song. The kind of song where nobody remembers who sung it, but everybody remembers it!
Far to under appreciated was Leatherface! This is one of the best punk releases of the 90's, but I suspect not many people heard it as Seed Records came and went in the blink of an eye. At some point I suspect I'll put a list of the 20 punk records from the 90's that you may not have heard and really ought to. This one will be in the top 3!
Highly recommended that you search out this gem as you are in for a real treat of working class British punk that's rich with melodies and hooks and clearly achieves Frankie's goal of remembrance.
Me: How did the band start?
Frankie: We started...I don't know! We were all drinking companions who were use to making noise. We got together and set up our stuff in the guitar players house and make noise...that was August of 1998.
Me: Was it easy to find places to play?
Frankie: We were really lucky. It's not that easy. It's very hard in England, but we managed to get a couple of tours in Germany and in Holland and that was before a proper tour here in the U.K.
Me: Is there a receptive local music scene?
Frankie: (chuckle) In Sunderland? No. It's never been the most receptive place to play but it is getting better?
Me: Tell us about "Mush"?
Frankie: We recorded it in the Greenhouse in London. the Greenhouse is owned by Pat Collier (Vibrators) and it took about 7 days to do. There was lots of shouting and that's the way it was. I am very happy with it.
Me: This isn't your first release?
Frankie: No, the first came in 1989. That was an LP on MainLine Records. But the album kept getting deleted by the label.
Me: Did you enjoy spending time in the studio?
Frankie: That was really the first time of working in a professional studio. It's a real difference from working in the Northeast. London was really nice. We recorded, could watch MTV and watch football.
Me: Does "Mush" capture the bands live spirit?
Frankie: A lot of people have said that this is actually what we sound like. I don't really know what we sound like when we are up on stage and this record kind of lets us know.
Me: What are you touring plans?
Frankie: We are touring Britain, Ireland and Scotland. It starts in the end of February and goes through June. Senseless Things is headlining and we'll be supporting them. China Drum will be opening some of the shows.
Me: Any talk of the States?
Frankie: There are plans for the U.S. , but right now it's just talk.
Me: anyone in particular that you would like to tour with?
Frankie: Poison Idea would be good!
Me:The bands sound, has it evolved or did you start out with a particular sound mind?
Frankie: It has just evolved. It just was that way from the start, I guess that evolves is the wrong word...when the four of us started playing, that's the way it was!
Me: Is there any kind of philosophy to the band?
Frankie: Songs! Songs are our motivation. My main goal is to write a classic song. The kind of song where nobody remembers who sung it, but everybody remembers it!
Far to under appreciated was Leatherface! This is one of the best punk releases of the 90's, but I suspect not many people heard it as Seed Records came and went in the blink of an eye. At some point I suspect I'll put a list of the 20 punk records from the 90's that you may not have heard and really ought to. This one will be in the top 3!
Highly recommended that you search out this gem as you are in for a real treat of working class British punk that's rich with melodies and hooks and clearly achieves Frankie's goal of remembrance.
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