Leathermouth (often typeset as LeATHERMØUTH) is the post-hardcore side project led by My Chemical Romance’s rhythm guitarist Frank Iero. The band formed in 2007, and in January 2009 released their first album XØ.

Leathermouth formed in 2007 by some friends of My Chemical Romance’s rhythm guitarist Frank Iero. Iero heard a few demo tracks from the band, and wanted to sign the band to his own independent label. It was not until the previous lead singer had failed to write any lyrics that Iero became a member. As a member of Leathermouth, this is the first project where he contributes lyrics and lead vocals. Iero uses the project as a way to vent about the way he sees the world and also to let out his personal struggles with depression and anxiety. Leathermouth played their first shows in the summer of 2008 alongside Warship for the Fall 2008 Reggie and the Full Effect “Farewell Tour”. Iero hopes to tour with Leathermouth when he is not working with My Chemical Romance.

In October 2008, Leathermouth signed to Epitaph Records as opposed to Frank Iero’s label as originally planned. Iero thought that it would be difficult to promote the album himself, if released through his own label, with his current obligations to My Chemical Romance and the other bands signed to his label. Epitaph Records president, Brett Gurewitz, was impressed with the band’s “intensity and songwriting of the music.” Leathermouth released their first studio album on January 27, 2009 through Epitaph entitled XØ. Although the album did not chart on the Billboard 200, it did reach #21 on the Top Heatseekers chart.

Leathermouth serves as lead singer Frank Iero’s first project where he has written lyrics. He has used this band as a way to vent about things that make him angry, and also the issues that have been attached to his depression and anxiety problems.  Many songs hit on “topics people want to forget exist” and the album as a whole suggests that “the world is going to shit, and someone has to say it.” The song “5th Period Massacre” reflects Iero’s feelings on school shootings and how the entertainment industry is often blamed for these events,  and the song “Sunsets Are For Muggings” is about Iero’s visits to the psychiatrist, and the mental illnesses in his family.  Iero discusses his feelings on the theme of the album:

“I would say this record is about trying to wake people up to what is happening right in front of their eyes. We are all trying our hardest to pretend bad things don’t happen to good people, and that there is some higher power looking over us… but it’s bullshit. Stop covering your children’s eyes. Everything is fucked, and pretending it’s not isn’t making things any better. I’m tired of people praying for a change when it’s up to them to get off their asses and make a change. “

—Frank Iero

Lyrics were also inspired by 80s horror films that Iero watched as a child, and many songs on the album were about issues today and used the imagery of 80s horror films to illustrate the points.

Frank Iero recently said in an interview with Alternative Press, the Secret Service paid him a visit regarding his song “I Want to Kill the President of the United States of America.” He explained that he wrote it when he was touring overseas with My Chemical Romance. He saw Anti-American rallies everyday, and explained that he wrote it from the protester’s point of view. The Secret Service told him if he rereleased the song or ever played the song live again that he would be sentenced to five years in prison.