Ball Breakers Media had a chat with the legendary Frankie Stubbs of Leatherface in anticipation of the band's upcoming appearance at Manchester's Night & Day Cafe on 9/12/2011. Here's what the man himself had to say!
Although we can probably guess, why the name Leatherface?
It was better than calling ourselves teapot...
How did the group form in the first place?
Because we had no friends!
Why did you start the band?
To make friends!
What was it like in the early days?
Shit! And good!
Did you find audiences receptive straight away? Did you care?
I didn't give a shit- that wasn't the point. Playing a gig is a two way thing; hopefully it's about
having a good time. If a band plays with no audience it's a shit gig... if there's a huge audience but no band it's a shit gig- we need each other! Leatherface always had this thing that whether we play to 2 people or 2000 people we play the same, it doesn't matter, we go for it! To be honest I prefer the sweaty bars where people are 2 inches from your face rather than 20 feet away behind a crash barrier!
What's the best on stage experience you've ever had?
One time a girl got on stage, exposed her breasts and then pissed her pants! It might not have really been the best experience ever but I remember it!
And the worst?
At the same gig Wat Tyler exposed their breasts, nowhere near as pleasant but at least they didn't piss their pants!
How are you feeling about the approaching gig at Manchester's Night and Day Cafe?
I will not feel anything about it until the night... I look forward to playing and we'll see what happens on the night.
Leatherface have an incredibly unique sound- if you could name five things that have influenced this sound the most, what would they be?
The Sex Pistols, Killing Joke, AC/DC, The Police and Gordon Smith guitars.
What is the usual song- writing process for Leatherface?
We fuck about and hopefully a tune comes out...
What do you hope to achieve through your songs and music?
I hope I don't end up in a hospital for the terminally insane!
You seem a lot more thoughtful and eloquent than most "punk" bands. What do you think seperates you from the crowd?
The fact that we are more thoughtful and eloquent maybe?
Do you have a favourite Leatherface song? If so, what?
I have... but they change from day to day
How do you think you've managed to achieve such a misanthropic, stand- apart sound?
Misanthropic is a fantastic word... I don't think we have a stand apart sound- but we do have a
stand apart attitude- which in turn affects the sound. It involves not being big or clever and just trying to make the best songs we can!
What do you hate most about being in a band?
Mostly the other members of the band! I love them but as in most close relationships they can drive you nuts... I wouldn't have it any other way.
Frankie Stubbs, thank you for your time.
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