A true and interesting story about 90s punks Leatherface, and the author, Chris MacDonald
You may already know Chris MacDonald within the punk scene. He grew up in Toronto, Canada; plays guitar in LeBarons, and has been to many gigs in the UK. He is currently a tattoo artist and an author, with his first book ‘The Things I Came Here With’, published on October 18th 2022. His second novel ‘Days and Days: A Story about Sunderland’s Leatherface and the Ties That Bind‘ was published on October 8th 2024.
“It’s the end of a millennium and Toronto friends Chris and Jason set out for a revelatory adventure through England, Scotland, and Ireland. With every mile, they edge closer to Sunderland’s Leatherface – the modern era’s most anomalous and influential UK punks – while visions of beauty, danger, and dark humour unravel… And before long, they find themselves in the belly of the beast: with the band that changed so many lives.”
In this book, Chris talks about how Leatherface influenced him, his life before discovering the band, and his personal experiences with the band. He has chosen to focus on the members at the time of his journey – Frankie Stubbs, Dickie Hammond, Andrew “Lainey” Laing, and Andy Crighton.
Chris was first introduced to Leatherface by his friend Jason Dwyer, who shares his love for music. They both wrote songs in their teens and have been to many gigs together. Jason played a cassette tape on his stereo, with the first song being ‘I Want The Moon.’ Chris enjoyed it so much that he borrowed the cassette tape to show his brother. He has loved the band who inspired him ever since.
This book has so much detail – Chris has an incredible memory of everything! He recounts his own stories and experiences, as well as the stories and experiences of others, including the band themselves. He tells us how he met Leatherface, all the gigs and tours he’s been to with the band, and includes many interesting facts throughout the story.
Overall, ‘Days and Days: A Story about Sunderland’s Leatherface and the Ties That Bind‘ is a great book to read. It’s interesting, gripping, and occasionally shocking! I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you’re keen to find out more about Leatherface, and Chris himself, then you need to read it asap!
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I’ve been going to gigs since I was 18 years old, and have loved them ever since. They are my second home. I enjoy discovering new bands, meeting punks of different ages, and learning more about the scene. I sing, play guitar, and learning the drums. Punk for life!
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