The Leeches
The Leeches were formed in the original punk rock explosion era of the late '70s and were a politically oriented band playing a hard raw rhythm & blues, ska/reggae, and rockabilly-tinged musical patois. Originally formed in Chicago, 1979 by Gary Cannone (Drums) and Dave Tainer (vocals and guitar), it evolved until 1984 when the most popular and longest-lived incarnation included Mark Rose (Mark Blue) on lead guitar and vocals, Louis Relucio on Drums, Tony Morrison on bass and vocals, and Dave Tainer on rhythm guitar and vocals. This edition played into 1988, when they disbanded. They were often compared to The Clash, but this was usually done mockingly.
The Leeches had one vinyl EP, Urban Camouflage, containing their early material; it was written up in Maximum R&R and other alternative mags. It seemed to be more popular in Europe than in the US. Also, one TV appearance on a local show where they showcased their latest material (The Friday Club), which portion was included in the short youtube documentary The Leeches: Sucking In The Eighties. In 2013, "Age Bomb" was released as a 45rpm single in limited edition. Urban Camouflage was digitally remastered from both the original mix masters of 1986, as well as additional material recorded in 4-track at the Noise Factory, which was subsequently released as a compact disc of the same name, also in limited edition, and available on all streaming platforms.
2022 would see the release of the final two albums with "Kick Out The Leeches" being the live show of their record release party on February 13, 1987; and "A New Battle: Peace Love and Justice" recorded live to tape at the Noise Factory.
Members and Guest Performers
- Dave Tainer - Vocals, Guitar (co-founder)
- Tony Morrison - Bass, Vocals
- Louis Relucio - Drums
- Mark Rose - Guitar, Vocals
- Gary Cannone - Drums (co-founder)
- Jerry Nigro - Guitar
- Sean O'Connor - Drums
- Bill Richards - Guitar, Vocals
- Devin "y" - Guitar, Vocals
- Bob Augustine - Drums
Discography
Official Releases
- Urban Camouflage (1987)
- Recorded Summer, 1986 at Future Studios, Southport & Belmont
- Produced by Archie Manning and The Leeches
- Engineer: Archie Manning
- Pain and Suffering
- Guns and Revolvers
- Nazi Dread
- Street Life
- Real World
- Right to Robbery
- Age Bomb 45rpm Single (2014 Digitally Remastered)
- Age Bomb (recorded 1985), Side A b/w Guns from the Caribbean (recorded 1985), Side B
- Urban Camouflage Compact Disc (2021 Digitally Remastered) (1986)
- Recorded Summer, 1986 at Future Studios, Summer 1985 at Noise Factory, Lake St.
- Produced/Digitized/Remixed/Mastered by Dave Tainer
- Pain and Suffering
- Guns and Revolvers
- Nazi Dread
- Street Life
- Real World
- Right to Robbery
- Urban Camouflage
- I'm Going to Make This World (The Way I Want It)
- The Leader
- Cultural Revolution
- Killing a Myth
- Garage Rockin' Tonight
- Holding Hands Dying
- Guns from the Caribbean
- Kick Out The Leeches: Live at Metro Compact Disc (2022 Digitally Remastered) (1987)
- Recorded February 13, 1987 at Cabaret Metro, Chicago
- Produced/Digitized/Remixed/Mastered by Dave Tainer
- Soul Brother
- Guns and Revolvers
- Fortunate Son
- Seeing in the Dark
- Reactionary
- Right to Robbery
- Pain and Suffering
- Peace Love and Justice
- Guns from the Carribbean
- Garage Rockin' Tonight
- Nervous Breakdown
- A New Battle: Peace Love and Justice Compact Disc (2022 Digitally Remastered) (1988)
- Recorded September, 1987 at Noise Factory, Lake St., Chicago
- Produced/Digitally Remastered by Dave Tainer
- Peace Love and Justice
- New Battle
- Freedom Street
- Age Bomb
- Seeing in the Dark
- Soul Brother
- D'yer Maker
- Street Music
- The Storm
- Stand Dub for Your Rights
Compilations
The Leeches contributed various songs on numerous tape, album, and CD compilations throughout the USA and Europe from the mid-1980’s. This list of compilations includes and is not limited to:
- Chicago Peace Comp
- We Can Change The World
- Yet Another Compilation
References
- Tim Yohannan review of Urban Camouflage EP, Maximum Rock'n'Roll Issue #50, 1987 (http://maximumrocknroll.com/band/the-leeches/?fbclid=IwAR0mGbRaAvOf-7Cx63TftJb7QEEOIeHgAQ3krGSUJSq1h0KgMmrhiPEtGOI)
- Discogs listing for Urban Camouflage: https://www.discogs.com/release/2850834-The-Leeches-Urban-Camouflage
External Links
- The Leeches: Sucking In The Eighties (YouTube)