Lung Leg (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Defunct | 1999 (initial run) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2021 |
| Headquarters | Glasgow , Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Website | https://myspace.com/lungleg |
Lung Leg is a Scottish pop-punk and indie ensemble that originated in 1994 and remained active until 1999. Rooted in Glasgow’s DIY underground movement, the group initially consisted of an all-female four-piece lineup, characterized by a sound often labeled as riot grrrl or garage-pop, drawing inspiration from genres such as post-punk, C86, and bands like the Fire Engines.
The band reunited in 2021 with fresh additions: Simone Antigone (Hair Band), Hando Morice (Water Machine), and Paul Thomson of Franz Ferdinand. In December 2022, Lung Leg performed a sold-out reunion show at The Baby Grand in Glasgow, with support from bis. They are featured in the acclaimed 2024 documentary Since Yesterday: The Untold Story and delivered a live rendition of Maid to Minx on BBC Radio 4's Front Row alongside Kirsty Wark in October 2024. By 2025, the band was engaged in composing new songs and had recently opened for Washington’s The Make Up during their 2023 tour.
Scheduled for release in October 2025, Lung Leg will unveil their first new recordings in decades through the Glasgow-based label Second City Static. This split 7-inch single includes a collaboration with Unmarry Me, a project led by Jon Slade and Chris Rowley, former members of the English punk outfit Huggy Bear. Lung Leg’s contribution, titled "Girls", features guest saxophonist Lora Logic, renowned for her work with X-Ray Spex and Essential Logic.
The artwork for the single’s sleeve was crafted by Annabel “Aggie” Wright from The Pastels, depicting sketches of Lung Leg during studio sessions.
Significantly, the original album art for Maid to Minx was created by graphic artist Jaime Hernandez, known for his work on the Love and Rockets series.
History
Lung Leg came together in late 1993 in Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Jane McKeown ("Jane Egypt") on bass and vocals, Annie Spandex and Maureen Quinn ("Mo Mo") handling guitar and vocals, with Amanda Doorbar ("Jade Green") on drums. The band's name was inspired by Elisabeth Carr (known as Lung Leg), a model and actress associated with the transgressive film genre; Annie Spandex also highlighted influences from John Waters' cinematic works.
Glasgow’s 1990s DIY music environment nurtured independent record labels such as Vesuvius and Chemikal Underground, alongside grassroots venues like the Kazoo Club, fostering strong connections between music and visual arts. Lung Leg expressed gratitude for being part of a city that embraced female-led bands. Alongside peers like Hello Skinny, Pink Kross, and Sally Skull, they helped shape a varied all-female music community that was loosely affiliated with the riot grrrl movement but encompassed wider stylistic elements. This scene was bolstered by fanzine culture, illustrated by Lung Leg’s joint performances with Hello Skinny and Pink Kross when supporting The Raincoats in 1994.
Their early releases included the EPs The Negative Delinquent Autopsy (1994) and Shagg the Tiger (1995) on Piao!, both earning "Single of the Week" honors from Melody Maker. These tracks were later compiled into the 10" EP Hello Sir issued by Kill Rock Stars in 1997. Following Amanda Doorbar’s departure in 1996, Todd Parmenter (formerly of Menswear) took over drumming duties. This lineup produced their debut album, Maid to Minx, which came out on Vesuvius in 1997; Danny Saunders (Correcto) contributed lyrics to the title song.
Their initial touring circuit included UK dates alongside labelmates The Yummy Fur. Lung Leg also performed with prominent groups such as Bis, Urusei Yatsura, Huggy Bear, and Cornershop, while supporting major acts including Bikini Kill (1996), Sonic Youth (1996), Free Kitten, and Fugazi (1999).
Everett True, assistant editor at Melody Maker who advocated for Seattle bands like Nirvana and Hole, lauded Lung Leg’s debut single for its vibrant pop/punk energy combined with notable influences.
Beth Ditto of Gossip has identified Lung Leg as one of her musical inspirations.
Jane McKeown also played drums with Dick Johnson, labelmates on Vesuvius. When Maureen Quinn exited in 1997, Philippa ("Photo Smith") Smith from Dick Johnson stepped in. This final formation re-recorded Maid to Minx for Southern Records and toured the United States in 1998 alongside the Make-Up, releasing two singles: "Krayola" (a split 7" with The Make Up) in 1998 and "Maid to Minx" in 1999.
From 1994 onward, John Peel featured their debut single on his radio program and hosted two Peel Sessions recorded between 1995-96 at Maida Vale Studios.
Lung Leg concluded their initial run with a farewell show in May 1999; their remixed debut album was reissued by Southern Records in 1998.
The band reassembled in 2021 with new members Simone Antigone (Hair Band), Hando Morice (Water Machine), and Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand). Glasgow label Last Night from Glasgow re-released Maid to Minx in 2022 including bonus material.
Lung Leg were known for distinctive merchandise such as branded trousers displaying 'Lung Leg' across the crotch area. Marc Baines, a Glasgow-based printmaker formerly linked to Vesuvius Records, designed their unique 7” record sleeves now showcased at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum.
In April 2014, members of Franz Ferdinand recorded an unreleased cover of "Maid to Minx" for BBC Scotland’s Vic Galloway show—the same Glasgow studio where Lung Leg had previously recorded a session for Kirsty Wark featuring drummer Paul Thompson.
Other ventures
Jane McKeown collaborated with Roz Davies (known from Josephine and Miss the Occupier), Jeremy Mills (associated with Peeps into Fairyland and Idlewild), and Tori Firth to establish the band Peter Parker. They issued two 7-inch singles under Glasgow's Say Dirty Records: Swallow the Rockets in 2009 and Pretty Living in 2010, the latter being a split release alongside the Sexual Objects, a group led by Fire Engines' Davy Henderson.
Peter Parker also recorded two sessions for Marc Reilly on BBC 6 Music and played at the ATP Festival curated by Belle and Sebastian. Subsequently, Jane McKeown went on to form Spreadeagle together with Jeremy Mills.
Annie Spandex is a member of Normal Service, a band created with Kevin Burrows (The Keatons, Gag, The Spores), Graham Gavin (Subliminal Girls, Lugworm, Ganger), Fiona Henderson, and Georgie White (Painted X Ray).
Mo Quinn was part of Nico's Bike before taking on vocals, guitar, and melodica duties in the Portsmouth/Nancy/Larne-based ensemble Action Painting!, co-writing their track "Magdalen," which received acclaim from Louder Than War. Additionally, she performs with Kent's rockabilly group War Tortoise and leads her own project, Thee Misty.
Members
Current Lineup
- Jane "Jane Egypt" McKeown – lead vocals, bass (1993–1999, 2022–present)
- Annie Spandex – vocals, guitar, violin (1993–1999, 2022–present)
- Simone Antigone – vocals, guitar (2022–present)
- Paul Thomson – drums (2022–present)
- Hando Hando (2022–present)
Past Members
- Amanda "Jade Green" Doorbar – vocals, drums (1993–1996, reunion show 2022)
- Maureen "MoMo" Quinn – vocals, guitar (1993–1997)
- Todd Parmenter – drums, vocals (1996–1999)
- Philippa "Photo Smith" Smith (1997–1999)
Albums
- Maid to Minx (1997, Vesuvius; reissued 1998 by Southern Records)
- Maid to Minx (2022 re-release by Last Night From Glasgow)
Singles and EPs
- The Negative Delinquent Autopsy 7-inch EP (1994, Piao!)
- Shagg the Tiger 7-inch EP (1995, Piao!)
- "Right Now Baby" 7-inch single (1997, Vesuvius)
- "Theme Park" 7-inch single (1997, Guided Missile)
- "Club Beatroot Part Six" split 7-inch single with El Hombre Trajeado (1997, Flotsam & Jetsam)
- "Krayola" split 7-inch single with the Make-Up (1998, Vesuvius/Southern Records)
- "Maid to Minx" 7-inch single (1999, Southern Records)
- “Girls” featuring Lora Logic (X-Ray Spex/Essential Logic), split 7” single with Unmarry Me (Second City Rhythm) – October 2025
Compilation releases
- Hello Sir (1997, Kill Rock Stars)
References
14.https://louderthanwar.com/action-painting-scatterflats-ep-review-interview/#google_vignette