Leaf Hound

Leaf Hound

Leaf Hound is a hard rock and blues group from London, formed in 1969 and active from that point onward. The band grows out of earlier London group Black Cat Bones, whose early line-up includes guitarist Paul Kossoff and drummer Simon Kirke, both of whom later leave to form Free. Black Cat Bones release one album, Barbed Wire Sandwich, on Decca Records before the group replaces its vocalist and adds Peter French.

Early line-up and name change

After Peter French joins, guitarist Rod Price leaves to join Foghat, and French brings in his cousin Mick Halls on guitar. The band then adopts the name Leaf Hound. At that stage the line-up is Peter French on vocals, Mick Halls and Derek Brooks on guitars, Stuart Brooks on drums, and Keith George-Young on bass.

Recordings and releases

In 1970, Leaf Hound records Growers of Mushroom at Spot Studios in Mayfair, London. After the Brooks brothers leave, Ron Thomas replaces them on bass. The band tours Europe as a four-piece and releases the single Drowned My Life in Fear as well as a self-titled album in Germany on Telefunken. Growers of Mushroom follows shortly afterwards and uses the same tracks as the self-titled album.

Peter French and later activity

Peter French leaves to join Atomic Rooster for In Hearing of, and later becomes part of the American hard rock band Cactus. He reforms Leaf Hound in 2004. In 2006, the band issues a limited 7-inch on Rise Above Records with a live version of Freelance Fiend, recorded in Soho, London in 2005. Their most recent album, Unleashed, appears in 2007.

Line-up and anniversary performance

The current line-up consists of Peter French, Luke Rayner on guitar, Ed Pearson on bass, and Jimmy Rowland on drums. In 2011, Leaf Hound plays a 40th anniversary concert in London to mark the release of its debut album.