Hornet Leg

Chris Sutton has anchored every iteration of Hornet Leg, whether configured as a lone four-track endeavor, an art-noise pair, or a three-piece punk unit. Beyond this project he has contributed to Dub Narcotic Sound System, C.O.C.O., Spider & the Webs, and Nudity. He first committed material to tape under the Hornet Leg banner in 2003, picturing a flexible outfit able to perform in any setting, at any moment, and with whatever personnel happened to be available. Its earliest realization therefore consisted solely of Sutton and his four-track recorder. He assembled those initial tracks during breaks from road duties with C.O.C.O. and Dub Narcotic Sound System; the resulting self-titled debut EP appeared on cassette through doLo Recordings in 2004. Later that same year a van crash prompted friends to urge Sutton to pick up an acoustic guitar and document his recuperation in song. He soon joined forces with drummer Claudia Meza and bassist Joel Brazzel, steering the band toward abrasive punk and yielding the 2008 seven-inch The Blood Trilogy—its first release on K Records. A subsequent change brought drummer Robert Comitz and bassist Bob Desaulniers into the fold; together they cut Ribbon of Fear, issued by K in fall 2009.