DESCRIPTION:
The Leather Nun (originally named "Lädernunnan") was formed in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1978 by radio DJ and fanzine editor Jonas Almquist (vocals) who, after getting agreement from Genesis P. Orridge to release a single on his Industrial Records label, recruited Bengt "Aron" Aronsson (guitar), Freddie Wadling (bass), and Gert Claesson (drums), all from punk band Strait Jacket.[1][2] Although many people think so, Jonas Almquist claims not to have taken their name from the American underground comic Tales from the Leather Nun. He also claims that it was not taken from the stage name of a London stripper, but chosen because "it felt just as a clockwork name for a band who based its music on the dynamics between the pure innocent and the black shame full ...".[citation needed]
Inspired by such groups and artists like John Lee Hooker, The Mothers of Invention, Lou Reed, Velvet Underground, Rory Gallagher and Mick Ronson, The Leather Nun released their debut EP, Slow Death, in November 1979, featuring a recording of "Death Threats" from 1978 and three newly recorded tracks.[1][3] John Peel played the lead song each night for two weeks on his BBC radio programme.[citation needed] The band soon attracted controversy over their use of hardcore gay pornography as part of their live shows.[1][2]
Wadling left The Leather Nun in 1983 and joined Blue for Two. A handful of singles followed before The Leather Nun released their first LP, Alive, in 1985, a live album recorded at Ungdomshuset and Told-Kammaret.[4]
Covering ABBA's "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" earned the group some respect in Sweden and Europe in 1986. Several successful tours followed. In 1988, The Leather Nun were reviewed in Rolling Stone and quoted to be the first rockact to sell condoms as tourmerchandise.