Biography
Distinguished from England's Leatherface punks, New Jersey's Leathermouth arose from the partnership of Frank Iero—rhythm guitarist for emo-rockers My Chemical Romance—and his friend Rob Hughes. The pair launched the hardcore outfit in 2007 once extended periods without any means to voice their discontent over society and surrounding global conditions had grown intolerable. Iero in particular viewed the side project as a necessary release for the fury absent from his primary band's scope. Whispers about Leathermouth circulated beforehand, until rough demos appeared online that captured the raw and confrontational punk destined to mark their output. Iero took vocals, Hughes handled guitar, and assorted friends filled the remaining positions. The group played limited dates in fall 2008 supporting Reggie and the Full Effect, then disclosed their October signing to California's Epitaph Records. Leathermouth's debut full-length, XO, surfaced in late January 2009 and delivered throat-shredding hardcore influenced by Black Flag and Ink & Dagger while addressing subjects such as school shootings, overmedicated kids, and crooked politicians. Sporadic tour dates came after the release, scheduled around Iero's obligations to My Chemical Romance.
Albums