Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

XS ROCK

Hard Rock & Metal

Interview with Leather Leone of Chastain

Chastain is the XSROCK Metal Artist Of The Month for November

If you haven’t heard their latest album. It’s a must have for all metal fans!

Leather Leone, metal vocalist extraordinaire, talked to us about all things Leather and Chastain.

XSROCK: Let’s start with the new album, “We Bleed Metal“. We recently reviewed it and our review stated that this is one of if not the best Chastain album so far. Tell me your thoughts about this album. Do you agree?

Leather Leone: I don’t get excited about a lot of stuff that I do, but I really like this album. (David) Chastain and I were just having a conversation and I actually agree with something he said, He said It’s hard to form an opinion on something we do until five or six years down the road. I usually make something and then just put it away because I hear the flaws in it, but the songs on this one and the energy that we had in the studio is really staying with me. Since, I’m still playing it in my car, I think it’s one of our best also.

XSROCK: What are your favorite tracks on the new album?

Leather Leone: Against All Of The Gods. I don’t why I love that song, but from the moment that he sent it to me and the moment that we started messing around with it, I really, really liked it. Don’t Trust Tomorrow is becoming one of my favorites too.

XSROCK: What do use for inspiration when writing lyrics?

Leather Leone: Actually, Chastain wrote everything on this album. He sent it to me and asked me if I liked it. I said, do I like it? I love it. I’m not touching anything.

XSROCK: Tell me about Chastain‘s touring plans?

Leather Leone: Chastain will not tour. Chastain has become a recording project.  It’s a really frustrating topic for me. I will be going out as Leather and doing some dates. I’ll be going back to Brazil this year and I’m going to play the Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse in Chicago in May. But no I can’t get Chastain out at all (laughs).

XSROCK: In light of the recent terrorist attacks including a rock concert in France, Do you have concerns about touring abroad?

Leather Leone: Absolutely not! That was a really horrible situation but I think that’s the world that we live in today, unfortunately. I don’t really live my life that way. I’m not really sure what my beliefs are but I do believe we have that time card that we punch and when your time is up, your time is up. No I don’t think about it at all. I try to be careful, but I don’t live my life that way at all.

XSROCK: This is your second album after returning to Chastain. Can you tell me what prompted you to leave Chastain and what made you inspired to return?

Leather Leone: Yeah. I did not leave Chastain. That terminology is incorrect. David and I didn’t have any blow out fight or I didn’t say “Screw you”, I’m out of here. He says that we were burned out, but I don’t really remember it that way. The shows weren’t getting any larger and my understanding and his understanding are different. I wanted to carry on touring in a larger and bigger way and I thought that we were getting opportunities to do that and he didn’t want to do that so it’s kind of this foggy thing, but no, it was no big deal, it was really amicable.

XSROCK: You seemed to just vanish from the music scene after releasing your solo album, Shock Waves, which was a great album. What did you do during that time?

Leather Leone: In my mind I said that I was going to put Chastain to bed for a while and go out and explore and start a new band in six months or so, but that never happened. I never could find a team of people that wanted to support me as Leather. They wanted to change me. I’m not a pop girl or a rock girl. So I didn’t compromise and I feel okay about it. I just went away for a while. I stopped going to shows and stopped listening to bands and I got into animal medicine and became a vet tech. The only reason that I considered coming back was when we lost Ronnie James Dio. It made me think what am I doing? I’ve got a talent for this so maybe I shouldn’t be wasting it. I’m not sure if it’ll keep going, but for now I’m having one hell of a time.

XSROCK: I like the duet that you recorded recently with Veronica Freeman from Benedictum. Can you tell me a little about that?

Leather Leone: Veronica and I became friends somewhere around 2011 or 2012. She was brought to my attention from a friend in Vegas that told me that you’ve got to hear her, she sounds just like you. So I started listening to her and she doesn’t sound anything like me. She’s incredible. She’s got her own thing going on. We stayed in touch and she approached me about doing the song. It was a lot of fun.

XSROCK: I’ve always thought David Chastain has never gotten the recognition that he deserves as a guitar virtuoso. Do you think it’s because he plays a much heavier form of metal than some of the guys that are always listed as guitar gods?

Leather Leone: No. My opinion of it is. He doesn’t care. Chastain makes music that he likes and does what makes him happy. He doesn’t cater to anyone and what’s important to him is being able to create and write his own music. I had a conversation with him about his music. It’s all kind of in the same genre, but yet, there’s something really unique about it.

XSROCK: Tell me a little about working with David. What’s the process when writing an album together?

Leather Leone: The process of working with David Chastain? (laughs) Well, he probably says that I give him ulcers. As you can probably tell, I do everything at like a thousand miles an hour and Chastain is more reserved, very polite, very neat, very clean. He has this great musical education that he comes from and I do everything by ear. And I’m always chewing and popping my gum and I have to do the tracks over. I’m eating nuts and blow everything all over the wind screen. I tend to get really frustrated because he’s such a perfectionist and he’ll go again, and again, that’s sharp or that’s flat. We have a lot of fun, though. I’ll get mad and throw one of my hissy fits and he’ll turn everything off and say okay, I’ll give you a minute. Another thing about this new record, it came together really quickly. When I heard it, it just came naturally and I think it was All Hail The King and maybe Don’t Trust Tomorrow, he said Wow! That’s the fastest and right on harmony you’ve ever done.

XSROCK: What are your musical influences? Do you like any of the current crop of metal bands out there?

Leather Leone:  Ronnie James Dio. You don’t need to go any further. When I was a teenager I listened to a lot of arena rock Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Elton John, and Ambrosia. I was a really late bloomer to metal. But then I got into Jimi Hendrix, Foreigner and Triumph. Rick from Triumph would just blow me away that he could sing like that. And then I moved to California, and then I got into Sabbath. Heaven and Hell and I met Ronnie (Dio) around the Holy Diver time period. I got into the (Rob) Halford, (Geoff) Tate and (Bruce) Dickinson. I’m a huge Dickinson fan. Dickinson and Dio are the two that really do it for me. And moving to California when I did, I liked the glam rock scene, but I was getting a band together and learning how to do this alongside thrash bands like Metallica, Exodus and Megadeth. I had to figure it all out and here I was this little chick. I was actually opening for Megadeth and the stuff that I got thrown at me (laughs). I forget that it was like that in the 80’s. There wasn’t that many girls in bands. It was me, Doro and Betsy from Bitch. You know who’s good? Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. She’s the singer from fuckin’ hell. I remember hearing her do a cover of Slave To The Grind by Skid Row and going What the Fuck?!  She’s incredible.

XSROCK: Tell me about the Sledge Leather project. Are you going to continue creating music together or is all of your time and energy focused on Chastain these days?

Leather Leone: I don’t see anything happening there. That was a moment in time. I’m really proud of it, but I don’t see anything happening there in the future. I’m not even sure if we’ll even do another Chastain record. I don’t know what the future holds for me just yet. But, I’m going to do everything that I want before I hit the dirt. I’ll be doing Chastain material live when performing as Leather. David Chastain is very supportive of that and he helps me out and he’s proud of me performing those songs live. He just prefers to stay back and record and not tour live.

XSROCK: For anyone that doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?

Leather Leone: That I’m a very normal, happy person (laughs). I don’t go out and slay dragons or anything. A lot of people think that because I sing that way, I’m like a whiskey drinkin’, smokin’ truck driver or something. There’s nothing unique about me. I’m just a normal person who likes metal. I like all of those dark gothic images, but it’s not what my life is really about. I enjoy it for sure, though.

XSROCK: Is there anything that you’d like to say to our readers at XSROCK and all of the Chastain and Leather fans out there?

Leather Leone:  I would like to say love and Dio as I always say. Thank you so much for your continued support. Your trust and your loyalty mean everything to me. I hope to continually please you guys. Look for me I will be out on the road next year. I fuckin’ love you guys. I love everybody and I love life!

Leather Official Site

Leather on Facebook

Leather on Twitter

We Bleed Metal at Leviathan Records

You May Also Like

Featured Articles

During the 80’s hard rock ruled the airwaves. Quiet Riot’s Metal Health became the first #1 metal album of all time. Soon after the...

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s hard rock and metal scene is widely known as a generation of excess and a lot of over-the-top imagery. In fact, most...

Featured Articles

For every Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and Van Halen, There were many other bands that were really good, but somehow didn’t quite make it...

Hard Rock & Metal

Recently, I received an advanced release for Josh Todd & The Conflict’s debut album, “Year Of The Tiger”. Most of you probably know Josh...

Hard Rock & Metal

Formed in 1982 by Tom Keifer and Eric Brittingham, Cinderella was one of the biggest bands of the ’80s rock and metal era.  Following several...

Christian Rock & Metal

01. Stryper-Stryper has to be at the top of this list. Not because I think they’re the best, but because their contribution to Christian...

Hard Rock & Metal

Britny Fox was formed in 1985 with “Dizzy” Dean Davidson on vocals, former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra, former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith and...

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s were an awesome time thanks to the glam/hair metal scene. The image almost became as important as the music during this period,...

Featured Articles

The 1980s and early 90s saw hard rock and heavy metal go mainstream and reach a large audience worldwide. The genre was split into...

80s Heavy Metal News

80s Heavy Metal

The iconic KK’S PRIEST – featuring Judas Priest alum and GRAMMY Award musicians K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals), along with A.J....

Watch New Video For Stryper's Michael Sweet's New Project Called "SOLEDRIVER" Watch New Video For Stryper's Michael Sweet's New Project Called "SOLEDRIVER"

80s Heavy Metal

The upcoming debut album from SOLEDRIVER  (Sweet / Del Vecchio) is a collaboration between two extremely talented and prolific songwriters, musicians, and producers, Michael...

Watch The Brand New Video By Europe For "Hold Your Head Up", First New Music In Six Years Watch The Brand New Video By Europe For "Hold Your Head Up", First New Music In Six Years

80s Heavy Metal

Europe has returned with a brand new single “Hold Your Head Up”. No need to wait for The Final Countdown, you can watch it...

Stryper Ugly Christmas Sweater Stryper Ugly Christmas Sweater

80s Heavy Metal

Imagine finding this under the tree on Christmas morning! One of the coolest items we’ve ever offered in the Stryper store. Featuring a classic...

Watch The New Lynch Mob Video For "Time After Time" Watch The New Lynch Mob Video For "Time After Time"

80s Heavy Metal

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the newest studio album from Lynch Mob, “Babylon”. The band is known for...

Firehouse Singer C.J. Snare To Miss Performances Because Of Doctor's Orders Firehouse Singer C.J. Snare To Miss Performances Because Of Doctor's Orders

80s Heavy Metal

Firehouse vocalist C.J. Snare has posted the following on the Official Firehouse Facebook Page regarding his upcoming surgery: TO ALL OUR FANS. IT BREAKS...

Hard Rock & Metal News

80s Metal Band Lostboys Featuring Odin Singer Get New Demo Album Release

80s Heavy Metal

One of the most sensational and exciting frontmen of his time, Randy O made an impact on the industry in his brief career run...

Two Titans Of Christian Metal Face Off For The Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year GMA Dove Award Two Titans Of Christian Metal Face Off For The Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year GMA Dove Award

Christian Rock & Metal

The GMA Dove Awards, the Christian equivalent to the Grammy Awards, has announced their nominees for 2023. Skillet, one of the biggest bands of...

OTEP Unleashes Explosive Rendition of Eminem’s Rap Rage Anthem, “THE WAY I AM” OTEP Unleashes Explosive Rendition of Eminem’s Rap Rage Anthem, “THE WAY I AM”

Hard Rock & Metal

OTEP unleashes her acerbic arsenal with her latest sonic attack, “The Way I Am,” following closely behind the fury-filled shrapnel of her previous single,...

WINGER's 1988-1993 ALBUMS COMPILED IN NEW BOX SET, ALONG WITH A BONUS DISC OF DEMOS WINGER's 1988-1993 ALBUMS COMPILED IN NEW BOX SET, ALONG WITH A BONUS DISC OF DEMOS

80s Heavy Metal

One of the most-aired hard rock bands on MTV during the late ’80s and early ’90s was Winger, a band who had it all...

Iron Maiden Singer Bruce Dickinson Announces New Solo Album 'The Mandrake Project' Iron Maiden Singer Bruce Dickinson Announces New Solo Album 'The Mandrake Project'

80s Heavy Metal

Renowned around the world as one of the greatest and most distinctive heavy metal vocalists of all time, Bruce Dickinson will be releasing a...

Watch Queensryche Cover Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" In New Video Watch Queensryche Cover Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" In New Video

80s Heavy Metal

And now for something completely different…Queensryche gives us their version of the Billy Idol smash hit “Rebel Yell” which is a bonus track on...

XS ROCK Featured Articles

20 Albums Released In 2023 That 80s Metal Fans Should Hear

80s Heavy Metal

Each year, it seems that the remaining 80s hard rock and metal bands that are still putting out new music seem to get smaller...

Check Out These 80s Metal And Hard Rock Stars' Real Names Check Out These 80s Metal And Hard Rock Stars' Real Names

80s Heavy Metal

Check out these 80’s Hard Rock And Metal Stars’ Real Names! Some of these names are well known to fans, while others might find...

Who Were The Top 15 Most-Glam Mainstream Metal Bands Of The 80s? Who Were The Top 15 Most-Glam Mainstream Metal Bands Of The 80s?

80s Heavy Metal

The 80s were the decade of excess and musically that was absolutely true as well. The hard rock and heavy metal musical landscape exploded...

Who Were The Best Straight Up, No Frills Hard Rock And Metal Bands Of The 80s? Who Were The Best Straight Up, No Frills Hard Rock And Metal Bands Of The 80s?

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s hard rock and metal scene is widely known as a generation of excess and a lot of over-the-top imagery. In fact, most...

80s Heavy Metal

The 1980s were an awesome time thanks to the glam/hair metal scene. The image almost became as important as the music during this period,...

Songs Of Forbidden Love By Motley Crue, KISS, and Winger That Seem Super-Cringey Today Songs Of Forbidden Love By Motley Crue, KISS, and Winger That Seem Super-Cringey Today

80s Heavy Metal

Sex, Drugs, and Rock N ‘Roll. Hard rock bands are no strangers to wild tales of groupies and debauchery, but three songs, in particular...

80s Rock & Pop

Watch And Listen To Duran Duran Video For Brand New Song "Danse Macabre"

80s Rock & Pop

Duran Duran have revealed the official music video for their latest track and album namesake Danse Macabre. With creative director Linc Gasking at the helm, this stunning new clip...

MISSING PERSONS See Their First Ever Commercially Released Live Album! MISSING PERSONS See Their First Ever Commercially Released Live Album!

80s Rock & Pop

Relive the pinnacle of ‘80s new wave with this fantastic vintage concert from icons, Missing Persons! Recorded during a single night at a club...

Listen To This Very Unique Performance Of "You Can Still Rock In America" By NIGHT RANGER with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra’ Listen To This Very Unique Performance Of "You Can Still Rock In America" By NIGHT RANGER with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra’

80s Rock & Pop

Legendary rockers, NIGHT RANGER are releasing a brand-new live album titled, ’40 Years and a Night with Contemporary Youth Orchestra’, that is due out...

80s Rock & Pop

You know the name and you can’t mistake the voice. Now you can read the incredible story of how a shy, music-loving teenager called...

The Go-Gos Jane Wiedlin Bares It All In New Photo On Her 65th Birthday The Go-Gos Jane Wiedlin Bares It All In New Photo On Her 65th Birthday

80s Rock & Pop

The Go-Gos guitarist and backing vocalist Jane Wiedlin happily shows of her birthday suit in a new photo on her 65th birthday. On Jane’s...

Alternative-Punk-Electronic

Alternative / Punk

The debut studio album by Sons Of The Divide, “Sinners Saints Rage and Grace,” was meticulously crafted during the early months of 2023 at...

Iggy Pop Releases Rare Trax Album Iggy Pop Releases Rare Trax Album

Alternative / Punk

Many artists have long careers in music by doing one thing well and doing that same thing over and over again. And then there’s...

Goth Rock Masters CHRISTIAN DEATH Goes Beyond The Veil With DEATH MIX! Goth Rock Masters CHRISTIAN DEATH Goes Beyond The Veil With DEATH MIX!

Alternative / Punk

Christian Death’s iconic Death Mix bursts through the mausoleum door after 27 years since its original release. This brand-new reissue brings new life to the macabre...

Alternative / Punk

Date: August 26th, 2023 Venue: Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheater The Freaks On Parade Tour hit Tampa Florida like a hurricane. The concert featured Rob...

Alternative / Punk

Date: August 26th Venue: Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheater, Tampa, FL Filter got the opening spot on the Freaks On Parade tour which also included...

Alternative / Punk

Rock News

Listen To BLACK OAK ARKANSAS Version Of MONSTER MAGNET’S “SPACE LORD”!

Hard Rock & Metal

It’s been a trying couple of years for one of the most enduring institutions of Southern Rock. In 2021, beloved veterans Black Oak Arkansas...

https://xsrock.com/steven-tyler-damages-vocal-cords-so-bad-that-it-bleeds-tour-dates-postponed/ https://xsrock.com/steven-tyler-damages-vocal-cords-so-bad-that-it-bleeds-tour-dates-postponed/

80s Heavy Metal

“I’m heartbroken to say I have received strict doctor’s orders not to sing for the next thirty days. I sustained vocal cord damage during...

Hard Rock & Metal

Live concert shots of Alice Cooper on The Freaks On Parade Tour on August 26th, 2023. All photos by Bobby Caughron (XSROCK)

LISTEN TO NEW DIRTY HONEY SINGLE,“WON’T TAKE ME ALIVE” LISTEN TO NEW DIRTY HONEY SINGLE,“WON’T TAKE ME ALIVE”

Hard Rock & Metal

Who’s ready to get DIRTY again? Following its debut last month, when it provided the score for TNT’s 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs retrospective, today,...

Who is Kate Bush, The New Rock Hall Of Fame Inductee? Who is Kate Bush, The New Rock Hall Of Fame Inductee?

80s Rock & Pop

While I rarely agree with The Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame and many of the inductees that it chooses, (even more so, the...

Aerosmith Announces "Peace Out" Final Tour Aerosmith Announces "Peace Out" Final Tour

80s Heavy Metal

Announcing Aerosmith’s PEACE OUT Farewell Tour Today, four-time GRAMMY® award-winning and diamond-certified rock legends Aerosmith have announced their final outing – PEACE OUT with...

Rock Stars…Where Are They Now?

Where Are They Now?

W.A.S.P. was originally known for outrageous antics such as throwing raw meat into the audience and appearing to torture people on a horror-themed stage....

Winger...Where Are They Now? Winger...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

Winger released their debut album “Winger in 1988 and it scored the band its first platinum-selling album. Winger released its second album In the...

Britny Fox...Where Are They Now? Britny Fox...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

Britny Fox was formed in 1985 with “Dizzy” Dean Davidson on vocals, former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra, former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith and...

badlands badlands

Hard Rock & Metal

After guitarist Jake E. Lee was fired from Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band, Badlands was formed when Lee recruited bassist Greg Chaisson, former Black Sabbath...

Hurricane...Where Are They Now? Hurricane...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

Hurricane started out in 1983-84 with the original lineup of lead vocalist Kelly Hansen (vocals/rhythm guitar), Robert Sarzo (guitar), Tony Cavazo (bass), and Jay...

Black N' Blue...Where Are They Now? Black N' Blue...Where Are They Now?

Hard Rock & Metal

  Black ‘N Blue was formed in 1981 and released four successful and critically acclaimed albums through Geffen Records including their self-titled debut (1984),...