Leaf of the UK originally formed in the 90s and years later decided to get the band back together. You will only find genuine hard rock and grunge music when listening to their music. There will be no backing tracks anywhere near Leaf.
Lead singer, Colin Anderson, has set aside some time for an interview. Please welcome Leaf to the blog!
Who is answering the questions?
Colin Anderson – Lead singer and guitar player. The slightly agitated and short one with grey hair
Band/Artist Name: Leaf UK
Tell us about your latest project:
We are trying to break the mould a little and not release an album. It just feels a little incongruous at the moment to release a bunch of tracks in a big glut, especially given the changing listening habits of the general populace. Therefore we are releasing a track at a time, once a month, every month, and having little forays into the studio to smash out 3/4/5 tracks at a time to support this. We are getting more and more listeners from further and further afield which is kind of cool.
Where was your first concert as a fan? As a performer?
The first concert as a fan was Iron Maiden at the Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent. Well. I say fan, I wasn’t really into them as I didn’t like the imagery and wristbands, but they were amazing. Supported by Wasted, who were good, but the highlight of their set was Ozzy coming onstage, absolutely smashed with a bottle of JD in his hand….oh such innocent times.
As a performer, it was some gigantic church hall at the age of 15, playing in my goth-punk band Dead that Walk, with Leaf UK drummer Mark. I knew he was talented back then…
What is the secret to writing good music?
Hmm. Our secret is that we are very self-critical. We analyze all of our songs and refine and change them until we are happy with the end result. We are also not afraid for one of us to just say, “No I do not like it.” We all have to love it. Saying that we are being brutal with the set at the moment and cutting out some songs that we feel do not fully represent where we are at the moment – good songs, just perhaps not great songs.
Do you have a bucket list? If so, what’s on it?
Most of my bucket list has been smashed or abandoned due to old age and ill health! I suppose playing our songs to a wider audience and getting worldwide recognition is the ultimate thing left on it. Not much then and easily achievable…come on Rick Rubin, pick up the phone, and give me a call, none of us are getting any younger!
What was the last thing that you read?
The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer. A good read, not groundbreaking, but a jolly little farce, which sort of reflects the humor of Leaf UK. I did have Human Molecular Genetics by the side of the bed which I kept starting and not getting far into. Better than a sleeping pill, I suppose.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Slowthai’s new album ‘Ugly’. I love his anger, honesty and the gritty realism of the lyrics. Not sure the whole album is of the same quality, but it has some amazing moments. He reminds me of Itch from the King Blues so much. In terms of rock and metal, I tend not to listen to full albums but let Spotify suggest stuff – I am a slave to the algorithm. Last listened-to artists are Wakrat, Paramore, Riskee and the Ridicule, Deez Nuts, and Bathtub (from Stoke/Manchester). Eclectic is what my listening is.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
I don’t earn enough from music to be full-time at it. I used to, but not anymore. I teach because that keeps me young. I love chewing the fat with the kids, talking about tunes and artists – they were a bit shocked that I already had the Slowthai album!
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I love writing music and can write in many styles. I would collaborate with anyone given the chance. I suppose Iggy Pop would be high on the list. I would like to write stuff with him like Cold Metal or Frenzy – nice simple, angry groovy, three-chord punk stuff. Oh and Bon Scott, but I cannot because he was cruelly taken from us too soon.
What do you want people to know about your music?
We are a rock band that has a multitude of influences, meaning that we are not a clone of the latest thing, we are relevant and we believe in the quality of our songs. I want people to connect and understand the angst behind the music. I want them to identify with the lyrical content, connect with the incessant urgency of the riffs and hum the catchy little beasts for days. I want them to think “Wow, that was a banger, I will put it on again”. I want them to know that enjoyment is the keyword here, not happiness, the lyrics are too grimly introspective for that.
This definitely caught my attention. Thanks Anita