Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to artists that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have a Q&A with Leaf.

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

LEAF: We are in all respects a classic four-piece rock band, mature and experienced based in sunny (sic) Stoke-on-Trent. However, we are not cheesy 80’s throwbacks who refuse to listen to current artists, we are relevant and exciting and have mass appeal. I love discovering new pieces of music and sending links to the lads and we bring a freshness to the song writing that belies our age. Mark is obsessed with Turnstile at the moment, I love Cleopatrick, but we both appreciate the new Iggy album – music made by a 75-year-old! We are heavy, melodic, energetic and concentrate on the song…that is what it is all about for us, the song.

In terms of history? Our original line up was birthed in 1992. Internal friction of egotistical youth caused an implosion and we fell apart, angry and scathing. Over the years between us we have had many, many musical experiences, I even got a gig in the House band for Dick and Dom! Roll on 25-30 years and I just needed to get out there again and smash the system. Jarad was a panacea for my ills, Dan joined and built upon the solid foundation and Mark re-joined after a brief tenure in the mid 90’s. We are older and wiser now, all the rubbish is behind us in the past and the songs are raw, real and come from deep within our twisted souls!

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

LEAF: Everyone has influences right? We have a ton of influences ranging from classic bands like AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Led Zep to newer bands like Idles, Rival Sons and Turnstile. It is how those influences make their presence felt in your own music that is critical. We use them as sources of inspiration and to be honest I think every band I have ever listened to has influenced me in some small way. We definitely do not imitate anyone; we are mature and respectful and understand our roots. Dan is perhaps more influenced by 90s stuff like Candlebox. Jarad listens to the heavier end of the spectrum, stuff that jiggles your fillings. Mark is our musically literate intellectual who listens to many bands, he is the best musician in the band and appreciates the musicality of stuff. We are not a bunch of teenagers listening to the same tracks by the same bands, copying everything deemed cool!

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

LEAF: Ah yes, the releases. We are releasing 12 songs this year, one a month as we feel that the youth of today has not got the patience to sit through an entire album! It is a little sad that when I think of my youth, some of the best times were in front of the record deck, poring over the album cover and reading every bit of sleeve liner note. I think people are missing out on that a little today, but if you don’t move with the times then life passes you by. January’s release was Impossible, inspired by my wife’s exasperation at my constant flipping back and forth between a multitude of things; I can drive people insane. The song itself is catchy, bouncy and fun for three minutes of your life – it is actually under three so even less of a time investment. February’s release is Digging Myself a Hole which is an introspective meander through my inner angst – three minutes of melodic, catchy goodness. March’s release is Long Road, big chorus, massive riffs and about as infectious as measles.

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

LEAF: Tunes, melody, dynamics, massive riffs and a bit of humour. We are not afraid to take the pee out of ourselves, but are always determined to give it our all, perform the songs to the best of our abilities and to make sure that people go home humming one of our catchy little earworms. I can’t keep still and love to express myself, Mark destroys his drums one second then caresses them the next – a joy to behold. Jarad and Dan are scary, beautiful and as solid as granite….

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?

LEAF: We will definitely be around and about five years older, but perhaps not wiser? We have a 30-song set that we want to record (some are done, some being released), a similar amount that we have ‘in the bank’ and we are constantly writing new stuff. So, the plan is to keep recording, until the money runs out or Rick Rubin begs to produce us.
As far as tours and gigs we want people to hear how good we are and to be able to play our music and get people to hear it is our medium-term goal, so gigs, wherever and whenever. Plans are to move beyond the narrow confines of the local cities and start picking up slots with established acts around the UK. We will see how this year goes, but the plan is for a series of dates culminating in some of the smaller festivals next summer 2024. Watch out for the grey rockers, Leaf UK are coming, and we will not stop until we are dead and dust.

Info
Leaf Website – leafband.co.uk
Facebook – leafbanduk
Instagram – leafbanduk
Linktree – https://linktr.ee/leafbanduk
On Bandcamp – https://leafuk.bandcamp.com/

We are on all major music platforms under Leaf UK – including Spotify, Amazon Music and iTunes. Have a listen and spread the word!