New Jersey hardcore group LeATHERMOUTH have signed to Epitaph Records with the release of their debut album XO
Featuring founding members Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance (vocals) and Rob Hughes (guitar) along with various friends who have toured and recorded with them, LeATHERMOUTH was formed in a garage in New Jersey in 2005 with the sole intention of making raw confrontational punk rock that not only served as a mouth piece for Iero's ire but also as a reminder to today's youth that sometimes it's the loudmouths who make change happen in this tumultuous world.
"For me LeATHERMOUTH is how I can vent about all the bullshit that I see going on in the world that makes me ill," says Iero. "I try to belabor the topics people want to forget exist. LeATHERMOUTH is where I can vomit out all the aggression that has built up inside. After recording or playing a LM show I feel empty of all that hatred that's been bottled up. It's a pleasant, cathartic experience. I would love to not feel the way I do about certain things, and have rainbows and birds chirping in my head, but that's just not the way I'm built. I am embarrassed by my emotions and originally wanted to keep LeATHERMOUTH anonymous... but fuck it, none of us are perfect, the world is going to shit, and someone has to say it. I think it would be worse if I hid from it."
Once the group had finished recording they approached Epitaph Record's founder and president Brett Gurewitz about signing to the label. After listening to the sheer intensity and songwriting of the music Gurewitz was sold and signed the band to the label.
"That was a real no brainer," Iero adds. "I've been a fan of the label ever since I was young. They take chances with the artists they work with, and they let their artists be themselves. I have a great deal of respect for Epitaph, and when I decided that I didn't want to release the LeATHERMOUTH record myself there was only one other label that I felt would be right for this project. I feel honored to be accepted into the Epitaph family, it is something that I've thought about ever since I was a kid. I hope I don't fuck it up."
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