The Butthole Surfers, a hardcore punk band formed in 1981 by vocalist Gibby Haynes and guitarist Paul Leary, are set to release a new live album called Live from the Leather Fly in collaboration with Sunset Blvd Records.
Fans are buzzing with excitement, especially since the details about where and when the recording took place are still a mystery.
Guitarist Paul Leary provided an explanation for the album’s title stating “Back in the ‘80s, Gibby Haynes used to fantasize about a nightclub called The Leather Fly. He wanted it to have a stuffed leather fly hanging in front of it. There were two competing promoters on the scene, Steak Watson and Lady Corn Wilson.”
Both “promoters” are fictional and add to the mystery of the records legend. The band released the first single from the upcoming live record called “The Annoying Song” which features high pitched singing from Haynes using a small megaphone.
Paul Leary goes into more detail on the song stating “We were invited to participate in the first Lollapalooza Festival in its premier tour of 1991. At some point of the tour Gibby got a hold of a toy battery-powered small megaphone that pitched his voice up. He was annoying everyone within earshot backstage speaking through it in a rhythmic manner, and I found it hysterical enough to write music to it. It became ‘The Annoying Song.’”
The band also dropped one of their standout tracks from the upcoming album, titled “Human Cannonball,” which is featured on their 1987 release Locust Abortion Technician. This live version of the classic track brings a heavier energy and truly showcases how crazy their shows can get. The band are notorious for their wild live performances, blending a variety of genres like noise rock, punk, rock, and a touch of psychedelia into their sound. The album also features longtime drummer King Coffey and bassist Jeff Pinkus holding down the rhythm section.
The cover of the album was created by Leary and has used AI to create the image of the leather fly. Some bands have been called out for the use of AI, but Leary confirms: “Yes, I designed the album cover, using AI. I will use AI again on the next album cover I design too. If someone doesn’t like it, they are welcome to not buy the album. Good grief.” He continued by saying “I use whatever it takes to get the image I want, such is the nature of art.”
The album will be released on May 9 and fans can now stream “The Annoying Song” and “Human Cannonball” from all streaming platforms before the full-length record drops.
Live At The Leather Fly
Graveyard
Dust Devil
Gary Floyd
1401
Alcohol
Hey
Negro Observer
Human Cannonball
You Don’t Know Me
Some Dispute Over T-Shirt Sales
Bong Song
Blindman
Nee Nee
Too Parter
Dancing Fool
PSY
Booze, Tobacco, Dope, Pussy, Cars
Ghandi
Edgar
Fast Song
The Annoying Song
