Based in Los Angeles, Power Metal act LEATHERWOLF was founded in 1981 and in their rise to signing with a major label supported POISON, MÖTLEY CRÜE, GREAT WHITE and W.A.S.P. along the way. LEATHERWOLF put themselves in the history books on 28th May 1982 when their gig at the Concert Factory in Los Angeles saw support from a fledgling METALLICA. The original line-up of vocalist Carl Detkin, guitarists Geoff Gayer and Scott Moore plus bassist Jerome Sevron briefly featured drummer Punky Peru (a.k.a. Perry Boyer), a veteran of Orange County acts DREAMER, CRYSTAL, TRIX, S.W.A.K. and Los Angeles' AMPAGE. He would exit to form WITCH.

The band had two factors that would set LEATHERWOLF apart from the majority of Metal bands. One being an unashamed L.A. 'look', rare for a trad Metal act, and the other being an onstage three guitar pronged attack. The group had originally released product on the Tropical label (a subsidiary of Enigma) and this record was issued a year later, with the addition of extra tracks, in Britain as 'Endangered Species' by the Heavy Metal label.

LEATHERWOLF's Matt Hurich deputised for STRYPER bassist Tim Gaines when he mysteriously disappeared during the recording of the 'To Hell With The Devil' album in 1986. However Hurich soon lost his position in STRYPER when Gaines returned and would later relinquish his post in LEATHERWOLF too.

The 1987 self titled album, produced by Kevin Beamish noted for his softer AOR work, featured new bassist Paul Carmen, a veteran of BLACK SHEEP. 1989's 'Street Ready', produced by Beamish once more, was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau in the Bahamas and mixed by Michael Wagener and was released in Britain to coincide with a support tour during March 1989 to Japanese outfit VOW WOW. LEATHERWOLF also opened for ZED YAGO in Germany. Unfortunately, the label support fell away at this juncture, leaving a sizable contingent of European fans in dismay as the group splintered.

In 1992 members of LEATHERWOLF turned up in the melodic Rock act HAIL MARY. A new shorn haired version of LEATHERWOLF returned in 1999 with a self financed album 'Wide Open' although by this stage Carey Howe was also operating with another band venture entitled 420KOMA.The reception afforded 'Wide Open' showed LEATHERWOLF's fan-base had remained resilient during the hiatus. However, long-term vocalist Oliverei quit in August of 2000. Eventually LEATHERWOLF announced a new frontman in Chris Adams during March 2002.

By March of 2004 LEATHERWOLF had a brand new frontman, as RACER X vocalist Jeff Martin, a man also claiming credits as a drummer for outfits such as UFO, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, GEORGE LYNCH and BADLANDS, joined the fold. LEATHERWOLF uploaded new demo songs, 'Disconnect', 'Behind The Gun' and 'Burned', onto the internet for download in August. With Martin out of contention, LEATHERWOLF announced their search for a new singer in December although it would not be until July 2005 the band revealed that the CRIMSON GLORY, TIWANAKU and SEVEN WITCHES veteran Wade Black had secured the position and by October were in the recording studio with WARRIOR guitarist Joe Floyd acting as producer. Eric Halpern from HELSTAR laid down guest guitar solos and former LEATHERWOLF vocalist Michael Olivieri added both guitar and backing vocals. Jacob Hansen would mix the album, 'World Asylum', at Hansen Studios in Denmark.

In March 2006 the group signed over 'World Asylum' to German label Massacre Records for June release. That month Los Angeles shows found the HAIL MARY and SHOTGUN MESSIAH credited Pat Guyton handling bass whilst Paul Carmen returned for festival appearances in Germany. Guyton co-composed the 'world Asylum' Japanese bonus track 'Tools Of Discipline'.

LEATHERWOLF marked a return in 2008, having re-enlisted singer Mike Olivieri. The reformatted line-up took the unusual move of re-cutting the vocals on their last studio opus, 'World Asylum', and putting it out again in 2008 under the fresh title 'New World Asylum'.