Hugh has been drumming with the band since the very first album, Temporary Immortality and along with Jem provided the backbone of the rhythm section as well as creative input in the songwriting process, singing backing vocals and helping manage album cover artwork design.

Hugh said today:

“The decision to leave Leatherat has been a very hard one. It’s been such a huge part of my life for the last 7 years and we have had massive high’s during those times. I’m so proud of what we have all achieved with Leatherat, taking it from a tiny pub-room band to playing some of the best and largest festivals in the country. It’s been such a great experience – playing the Cropredy Festival on the main stage will remain the highlight for me, but along the way I’ve made some brilliant friends and I’ve loved being able to put on a great show and beat the crap out of my drums for you all, even if I do pull silly faces while I’m doing it!”

“However, there are different things I want to do musically and being in Leatherat is such a big commitment (time, and full tours) that I don’t feel I can do what I want to do with new musical ventures at the same time as being in Leatherat. We’re all still great friends and this is 100% my decision – this isn’t a case of the old excuse of ‘leaving for musical differences!’”

“The time is right for me to go – I’ve done what I’ve always wanted to do in Leatherat and it’s time for me to move on. I’m really going to miss playing Leatherat gigs, but I’m going to really enjoy watching them when Leatherat V6 comes to fruition.”

“I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the band, past and present, for being such great guys and sharing so much with me, and I’d like to thank everyone who came to see us play and brought our CD’s and Merch. I’m going to miss you all. Peace, love, and I’ll be sharing cider with you at the front! x”

Leatherat will be auditioning new drummers in due course and will (of course) be playing all their existing commitments/gigs with Hugh on the drums until the right person is found!

More Leatherat than you can shake a stick at! This Bundle not only contains our latest work “Uprising”, it also contains our compilation album “Choice Blend” which in itself contains music from our first 3 albums as well as exclusive material and live tracks from our 2 DVD’s. Speaking of DVD’s, this bundle also contains our “Live @ Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2010″ DVD as well! That’s a lotta Leatherat folks and a cracking price too.

Price: £25.00

Product Code: HSPLTD0008

Do you like a smoke as much as Leatherat do?! Then why not blaze up with this branded windproof lighter!

With lifetime warranty. These are made to order so please allow a week for delivery.

FIRE!

Price: £15.00

UPR = Uprising

SMK = I Like A Smoke

SOF = Set My Soul On Fire

Leatherat’s 5th studio album; an hour of some of the most exhilerating folk rock ever played! featuring…

Track listing:

1. Uprising
2. Run to the Sun
3. Anything for You
4. Whole Town Red
5. Thankyou
6. Break Down the Barriers
7. Call to Arms
8. A Better Way
9. Set My Soul on Fire
10. No End in Sight
11. Eye of the Storm
12. We’re All In This Together

Price: £10.00

Product Code: HSPLTD0008

Disappointing for us all, but please visit this excellent pub and show your support by buying a pint! (or five).

In the meantime, we’re already performing a good deal of material from the new album. Thanks to everybody that joined us at The Boiler Room in Guildford for a great night in a packed venue. Everyone who was with us at The Drill Hall in Lincoln too last Friday night… what a night with the Woodshed Nasties! Expect to see more double headers with us and these guys.

In the coming weeks, there’s some great chances to see us (and some other cracking bands) live. This Saturday, we’re really excited to be playing at “The Black Market” in Warsop (NOTTS). This promises to be a real spanker of a night! We’re sharing the stage with Pressgang, the terrifying Ferocious Dog and Seven Little Sisters. Check out the gigs page for more shows.

That’s it for now folks but keep your eyes peeled and your ears pinned back… Leatherat’s “Uprising” is on it’s way. Join us.

Also guesting on the album is Mick Bennion, bass-player extroadinaire, brother of Leatherat’s Jim Bennion!

Support Aurora by buying this single on 12/03/12 from ITunes

So shake off those post Christmas blues, put on your newest Christmas jumpers and join us for a night of acoustic music in Banburys only surviving “Proper Pub”

There’s also a piece in the Banbury Guardian!

In other news, singer Pete Bailey will be live on BBC Radio Oxford at 5pm tonight, on the drivetime show. Listen in!