The Cute Lepers

In 2007 the Briefs entered a lengthy break, prompting retro-punk frontman Steve E. Nix to pursue fresh outlets for his energetic, melody-centered writing by assembling the Cute Lepers. Bass duties fell to longtime Briefs colleague Stevie Kicks, while Zache Actually handled guitar and Josh Blisters sat behind the drums. The group aimed to fuse British punk and power pop with hints of doo wop and vintage rock & roll, enlisting the distinctively named backing vocalists Meredith and Prisilla to help realize that vision. Several 7" singles appeared before the band aligned with Blackheart Records, the U.S. imprint belonging to hard rock veteran Joan Jett, and later secured a European arrangement with Damaged Goods. That path led to the Cute Lepers’ first full-length effort, the 2008 album Can't Stand Modern Music.