Leftöver Crack
Encyclopedia
Leftöver Crack is an American punk rock
band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk
band Choking Victim
. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska
and hardcore punk
, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords
for CD releases, and Alternative Tentacles
for vinyl releases. The band currently consists of Stza Crack
(vocals), Brad Logan
(guitar), Alec Baillie
(bass guitar), Ezra Kire (guitar and vocals), and Ara Babajian
(drums).
Leftöver Crack spans several different music genres including hardcore punk
, ska
, classical music
, reggae
, hip hop
and death metal
. Leftöver Crack state they write music that is anti-bigotry
, anti-religion, anti-police
, and anti-government
. Members of Leftöver Crack reside in the C-Squat
on 155 Avenue C
in the Lower East Side
of Manhattan
, New York City
. Natives of New York City, band members have a well-documented history of back-and-forth conflict with the NYPD which precedes the band's formation. The name "Leftöver Crack" is explained by Stza as being "an oxymoron", based on the idea that crack cocaine
addicts are known for vigorous use, and are unlikely to have any "leftover" crack.
and the Beastie Boys
).
Now a complete band, Leftover Crack proceeded to record several songs with the full line-up, including songs such as "Rock The 40 Oz.", "Crack City Rockers" and "The Good, The Bad And The Leftover Crack" - effectively the band's 'theme song'. Five of these songs were later included on the band's first release - the "Rock the 40 Oz." 7" EP
, which was released by Bankshot! Records on March 8, 2000.
Unfortunately for the band, Hellcat Records refused to release the album, due to concerns over the album's controversial title, artwork and subject matter (especially in regards to the recent Columbine shootings). The band eventually relented and changed the album's title, art and tracklisting, under the promise that they would be released from their contract afterward as a result. The album was eventually released under the title of "Mediocre Generica
", a sly attack at Hellcat Records, who Stza claimed wanted a "mediocre, generic" album in comparison to the original. The album was released on September 11, 2001.
At this point, the band now consisted of Stza (vocals, additional guitars), Alec (bass), Ezra (ex-Choking Victim - guitar, backing vocals) and Ara Babajian from NYC ska
band Agent 99, and later The Slackers
, on drums.
as "The Crack Rock Steady 7" - effectively Leftover Crack working under aliases with additional musicians. The EP was titled "Baby Jesus Sliced Up In The Manger" and was released on November 27, 2001.
In February 2003, the band began to record the songs that they had written and developed over the last three years with esteemed engineer Steve Albini
, a majority of which would see a release on their second album. After recording two final songs that winter, and having finally been dropped from Hellcat Records' roster, the band opted to release the songs independently the following the year as the "Fuck World Trade" demo. Around the same time, the band were approached by renowned underground punk rock figure and ex-Dead Kennedys
frontman Jello Biafra
, and as a result signed to his Alternative Tentacles
record label.
on Alternative Tentacles (Household Name Records
in the UK).
Unsurprisingly, the album has been banned in multiple chain-stores such as Wal-Mart
, Best Buy
and Music Land
due to the album's controversial name and subject matter - as well as the front cover, which features George W. Bush
, Dick Cheney
and Rudy Giuliani
(Tony Blair
on the UK release) directly causing the World Trade Center
bombings.
The album also displayed a greater degree of artistic freedom from the band, featuring longer songs, a wider range of instrumentation (such as strings, synthesizers and double-bass drumming) and a larger amount of genre experimentation - featuring elements of death metal
, classical music
and folk music
along with the band's trademark combination of anarcho punk and ska. The album also included several guest appearances, including Chris Head, Justin Sane
, and Chris#2 of Anti-Flag
, as a well as a collaboration with The World/Inferno Friendship Society
.
spent time writing songs for his band Morning Glory
. Leftöver Crack began touring again in the summer of 2005, including some dates with Citizen Fish
and The World/Inferno Friendship Society
, as well as playing dates in October 2005 in California after the Wasted Fest was canceled. The so-called Crack Rock Steady 7 also embarked on a small European tour in November; however, this incarnation consisted of only Stza and The Infested, in some cases billed as the "Crack Steady Rockers".
, and Bent Outta Shape. The 7" was limited to 1000 copies on white vinyl and is now sold out. The first 100 included limited edition patches designed by Brad Logan
's wife Kristen, and some included an insert.
On October 31, 2006, Fat Wreck Chords
released a 7" split single with UK ska punk
band Citizen Fish
, to which Leftover Crack contributed the new song "Baby Punchers". To support the release, the 2 bands joined with other Fat Wreck bands, The Sainte Catherines
and Dead to Me
, and went on a U.S. tour. The full length split with Citizen Fish, entitled "Deadline" was released on March 6, 2007 with Fat Wreck Chords releasing the CD version and Alternative Tentacles releasing the vinyl version. The album featured seven songs from each band (plus an intro for Leftover Crack's side), as well as featuring three songs originally intended to be released by Stza's newer band, Star Fucking Hipsters
. 1103 copies were released on white vinyl.
". The arrest followed a performance of a few of Choking Victim's and Leftöver Crack's most anti-police songs, performed in front of the police, for a public demonstration against police brutality. The incident was entitled "Donut Social". Immediately after his arrest, fans verbally protested the police officers demanding his release while screaming "Freedom of speech is fucking dead! You killed it!" among other sentiments. Some angry fans were taser
ed, physically beaten, and stomped by police. The incident was filmed and posted on YouTube
.
" and "Never Rest in Peace
".
Towards the end of 2009, it was announced that longtime guitarist and backing vocalist Ezra had left the band. Although initially appearing to be an amicable departure, this later escalated when Stza effectively began an online 'feud' with Ezra, accusing him of being a liar and drug addict.
In November 2009, Leftöver Crack toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in their career. However, the line-up for all of the shows consisted of Stza, guitarist Frank Piegaro (of Star Fucking Hipsters/Degenerics) and two Australian's filling in - Alex Flamsteed (Hereafter) & Chris Cox (Phalanx).
Following the Australian tour, Stza stated at a house show in West Auckland that Leftöver Crack would most probably be inactive in the future, much like Choking Victim before them. This coincided with the increased rate of activity from Star Fucking Hipsters, which has become his main creative outlet as of late.
In December 2010, Leftöver Crack announced that they were playing three shows. Returning to the line-up was Ezra, implying that the feud between him and Stza may have been resolved.
In January 2011, it was announced through their Facebook page that Leftöver Crack would be doing a West Coast tour in February and an East Coast tour in March. They will also be playing a small UK tour in August 2011, including the Reading and Leeds festivals.
and the Knitting Factory
. However, they still play at banned venues under a different name, Crack Rock Steady 7(Siete) or individually as solo acts. They repeatedly have trouble touring in certain countries, especially Canada, due to members having prior criminal records. They were most recently denied entry into Canada for a tour scheduled at the end of 2007. At a show in Boston, MA in August 2008, Stza angrily stated Leftöver Crack would never return to Boston. In 2006, after their show in Boise, Stza announced to a group of fans that they would never return, Boise was subsequently skipped in '07 and Star Fucking Hipsters' 2010 Boise date was cancelled a week or so after being posted, though they returned to Boise in March 2011.
a third Leftover Crack album was tentatively confirmed to begin production in 2012. Stza stated: "I have a few things to focus on beyond SFH in the upcoming months & next year & working on another Leftover Crack record is one of the higher priorities. We will start production in 2012 for sure..."
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band Choking Victim
Choking Victim
Choking Victim was a United States punk rock band formed in New York City, which were together from 1992 to 1999. Playing a mix of hardcore punk and ska with anarchist lyrics...
. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
and hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
for CD releases, and Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
for vinyl releases. The band currently consists of Stza Crack
Stza
Scott Sturgeon, also known as Stza Crack , is a musician who has fronted several ska-punk bands in the New York City area, the best known being Choking Victim and Leftöver Crack...
(vocals), Brad Logan
Brad Logan
Brad Logan, or Brad Minus as he sometimes goes by, is a punk/hardcore guitarist from Los Angeles who also owns and operates Blacknoise Recordings, and has collaborated on projects with Alternative Tentacles...
(guitar), Alec Baillie
Alec Baillie
Alec Baillie is an American bassist currently residing in Sacramento, California. Alec grew up in Manhattan and attended the same high school as future band mate Scott "Stza" Sturgeon. In the early nineties, Baillie, Dunia Best, Jay Nugent and Ara Babajian formed the third wave ska band, Agent 99...
(bass guitar), Ezra Kire (guitar and vocals), and Ara Babajian
Ara Babajian
Ara Babajian is an American drummer who has been a member of such bands as Leftöver Crack and The Slackers. Ara is of Armenian descent, and is named after Ara, an Armenian king....
(drums).
Leftöver Crack spans several different music genres including hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
and death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
. Leftöver Crack state they write music that is anti-bigotry
Bigotry
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs...
, anti-religion, anti-police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, and anti-government
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
. Members of Leftöver Crack reside in the C-Squat
C-Squat
C Squat is a squat located at 155 Avenue C in the East Village of Manhattan, New York City, in an area called Loisaida.-History:Journalist and author Robert Neuwirth described the situation that gave birth to many of New York's squats, including C Squat, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, "In the...
on 155 Avenue C
Avenue C
thumb|right|225px|Avenue C was designated [[Loisaida]] Avenue in recognition of Puerto Rican heritage of the neighborhoodAvenue C is a street in the Alphabet City neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The street is also known as Loisaida Avenue, and it bears that official...
in the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Natives of New York City, band members have a well-documented history of back-and-forth conflict with the NYPD which precedes the band's formation. The name "Leftöver Crack" is explained by Stza as being "an oxymoron", based on the idea that crack cocaine
Crack cocaine
Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. It may also be termed rock, hard, iron, cavvy, base, or just crack; it is the most addictive form of cocaine. Crack rocks offer a short but intense high to smokers...
addicts are known for vigorous use, and are unlikely to have any "leftover" crack.
Beginnings
Formed around the same time as the breakup of Choking Victim, Leftover Crack was initially an outlet for Choking Victim frontman Stza to release songs that, for one reason or another, were never recorded by Choking Victim and which he claims are the "Leftover songs" - hence the name, Leftöver Crack. For almost two years following the band's formation, the band consisted almost solely of Stza, who recorded many of the songs that would feature on later releases onto a four-track recorder whilst searching for band members. The band eventually solidified (albeit temporarily) around a line-up of Stza (vocals, additional guitars), Brad Logan of F-Minus (guitar), Alec Bailie (bass, previously of Choking Victim) and A.W.O.L. (drums, previously of Suicidal TendenciesSuicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...
and the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
).
Now a complete band, Leftover Crack proceeded to record several songs with the full line-up, including songs such as "Rock The 40 Oz.", "Crack City Rockers" and "The Good, The Bad And The Leftover Crack" - effectively the band's 'theme song'. Five of these songs were later included on the band's first release - the "Rock the 40 Oz." 7" EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, which was released by Bankshot! Records on March 8, 2000.
Signing to Hellcat Records
After contributing the song "Crack City Rockers" to the second installmant of Hellcat Records' "Give 'Em The Boot" compilation series, the band were signed to the label, initially being contracted to produce three albums for Hellcat. The band agreed, and promptly began recording songs for their first full-length - tentatively titled "Shoot The Kids At School".Unfortunately for the band, Hellcat Records refused to release the album, due to concerns over the album's controversial title, artwork and subject matter (especially in regards to the recent Columbine shootings). The band eventually relented and changed the album's title, art and tracklisting, under the promise that they would be released from their contract afterward as a result. The album was eventually released under the title of "Mediocre Generica
Mediocre Generica
Mediocre Generica is the debut album by the American punk band Leftöver Crack. It was released on September 11, 2001 and includes much sociopolitical commentary, including anti-police sentiment, anti-racism and anti-homophobia. The album was originally intended to be titled Shoot the Kids at...
", a sly attack at Hellcat Records, who Stza claimed wanted a "mediocre, generic" album in comparison to the original. The album was released on September 11, 2001.
At this point, the band now consisted of Stza (vocals, additional guitars), Alec (bass), Ezra (ex-Choking Victim - guitar, backing vocals) and Ara Babajian from NYC ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
band Agent 99, and later The Slackers
The Slackers
The Slackers are a New York City band, formed in Brooklyn in 1991. The band's sound is a mix of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, soul, garage rock, and jazz...
, on drums.
Leaving Hellcat - recording the second album
As a result of legal disputes with Hellcat Records, the band were effectively left in limbo for approximately two years, unable to leave their current label, yet also unable to sign to another - as well as being unable to release any new material under the name of Leftover Crack. However, the band did manage to bend the rules of their contract slightly, releasing a split EP with F-MinusF-Minus
F-Minus was a hardcore punk band formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, California. Started by Jen Johnson and Brad Logan. F-Minus was known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds . One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal...
as "The Crack Rock Steady 7" - effectively Leftover Crack working under aliases with additional musicians. The EP was titled "Baby Jesus Sliced Up In The Manger" and was released on November 27, 2001.
In February 2003, the band began to record the songs that they had written and developed over the last three years with esteemed engineer Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
, a majority of which would see a release on their second album. After recording two final songs that winter, and having finally been dropped from Hellcat Records' roster, the band opted to release the songs independently the following the year as the "Fuck World Trade" demo. Around the same time, the band were approached by renowned underground punk rock figure and ex-Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
frontman Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
, and as a result signed to his Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
record label.
Fuck World Trade
On August 30, 2004, Leftover Crack finally released their second album - Fuck World TradeFuck World Trade
Fuck World Trade is an album by American punk band Leftöver Crack, released in 2004 on the Alternative Tentacles label.The album continues the band's self-defined status as anti-racist, anti-misogynist, anti-capitalist, and anarcho-communist. It also contains references to the fact that their first...
on Alternative Tentacles (Household Name Records
Household Name Records
Household Name Records is a DIY punk rock record label, based in London, UK. It has been home to notable artists including Howards Alias, Lightyear, and Adequate Seven. It was started in 1996 by David "Lil" Giles and Katherine "Kafren" Vik to promote unknown UK bands...
in the UK).
Unsurprisingly, the album has been banned in multiple chain-stores such as Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
and Music Land
Music Land
Music Land is a Silly Symphonies animated Disney short released in 1935.-Production:In an attempt to bridge the gap between classical music and jazz, the short features music from Beethoven's Eroica and Wagner's The Ride of the Valkyries as well as various popular classical, jazz and miscellaneous...
due to the album's controversial name and subject matter - as well as the front cover, which features George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
and Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
(Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
on the UK release) directly causing the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
bombings.
The album also displayed a greater degree of artistic freedom from the band, featuring longer songs, a wider range of instrumentation (such as strings, synthesizers and double-bass drumming) and a larger amount of genre experimentation - featuring elements of death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
, classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
along with the band's trademark combination of anarcho punk and ska. The album also included several guest appearances, including Chris Head, Justin Sane
Justin Sane
Justin Cathal Geever , best known by his stage name Justin Sane, is the guitarist and singer/songwriter of the United States-based musical group Anti-Flag, a punk rock band formed in 1988 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania known for its outspoken left-wing views. He holds dual US and Irish citizenship and...
, and Chris#2 of Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...
, as a well as a collaboration with The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The World/Inferno Friendship Society is a band from Brooklyn, New York. Its style merges punk, soul, klezmer and jazz, while its collective membership features horns, piano and guitar. The ensemble has over 30 members, including a former member of Dexys Midnight Runners. About nine or ten members...
.
Hiatus
The band took an indefinite hiatus after the death of drummer Brandon Possible at the end of 2004. Stza spent the interim playing Leftöver Crack and Choking Victims songs by himself at a few solo acoustic shows. EzraEzra
Ezra , also called Ezra the Scribe and Ezra the Priest in the Book of Ezra. According to the Hebrew Bible he returned from the Babylonian exile and reintroduced the Torah in Jerusalem...
spent time writing songs for his band Morning Glory
Morning Glory
Morning Glory is a 1933 pre-Code American drama film which tells the story of an eager but naive would-be actress and her journey to stardom. It stars Katharine Hepburn, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Adolphe Menjou. The movie was adapted by Howard J. Green from the play by Zoe Akins, and was directed...
. Leftöver Crack began touring again in the summer of 2005, including some dates with Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish is a ska punk band that has been together since 1990. The band often makes strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning the status quo, and encouraging people to get along with one another...
and The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The World/Inferno Friendship Society is a band from Brooklyn, New York. Its style merges punk, soul, klezmer and jazz, while its collective membership features horns, piano and guitar. The ensemble has over 30 members, including a former member of Dexys Midnight Runners. About nine or ten members...
, as well as playing dates in October 2005 in California after the Wasted Fest was canceled. The so-called Crack Rock Steady 7 also embarked on a small European tour in November; however, this incarnation consisted of only Stza and The Infested, in some cases billed as the "Crack Steady Rockers".
Return and split with Citizen Fish
Blacknoise Records released a four-way split entitled "The Kids Are Gonna Pay" in March 2006 with Leftöver Crack contributing 1 new song, "Look Who's Talking Now". Other bands on the split included Morning Glory, F-MinusF-Minus
F-Minus was a hardcore punk band formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, California. Started by Jen Johnson and Brad Logan. F-Minus was known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds . One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal...
, and Bent Outta Shape. The 7" was limited to 1000 copies on white vinyl and is now sold out. The first 100 included limited edition patches designed by Brad Logan
Brad Logan
Brad Logan, or Brad Minus as he sometimes goes by, is a punk/hardcore guitarist from Los Angeles who also owns and operates Blacknoise Recordings, and has collaborated on projects with Alternative Tentacles...
's wife Kristen, and some included an insert.
On October 31, 2006, Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
released a 7" split single with UK ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish is a ska punk band that has been together since 1990. The band often makes strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning the status quo, and encouraging people to get along with one another...
, to which Leftover Crack contributed the new song "Baby Punchers". To support the release, the 2 bands joined with other Fat Wreck bands, The Sainte Catherines
The Sainte Catherines
The Sainte Catherines are a 6 piece punk-rock band who formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1999. The group's name comes from Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Montreal's main streets. Their third record, The Art of Arrogance was released on local label Dare to Care Records in 2003 and on the German...
and Dead to Me
Dead to Me
Dead to Me is STEMM's first full length album released in 2001. This would be the last recordings to feature any of the old members before the band would merge with 5 Years Gone.-Track listing:# "Intro" - 0:21# "Slippin" - 5:15# "Perfect" - 3:15...
, and went on a U.S. tour. The full length split with Citizen Fish, entitled "Deadline" was released on March 6, 2007 with Fat Wreck Chords releasing the CD version and Alternative Tentacles releasing the vinyl version. The album featured seven songs from each band (plus an intro for Leftover Crack's side), as well as featuring three songs originally intended to be released by Stza's newer band, Star Fucking Hipsters
Star Fucking Hipsters
Star Fucking Hipsters is a punk rock band from New York City who have released albums on Fat Wreck Chords and Alternative Tentacles records. They have been called a "punk supergroup" and feature members from numerous notable bands including Leftöver Crack, Ensign, and The Ergs!-Initial formation...
. 1103 copies were released on white vinyl.
2008 arrest of Stza
On September 5, 2008, Sturgeon was arrested by police officers after throwing an entire box of donuts at them—while a crowd chanted "Free fuckin' speech!"—and subsequently pointing his guitar at them as if it were a gun, while yelling "This machine kills cops!This machine kills fascists
"This Machine Kills Fascists" is a sticker on Woody Guthrie's guitar, that has inspired many artists. It is based on inscriptions painted on the sides of airplanes used in the Spanish Civil War....
". The arrest followed a performance of a few of Choking Victim's and Leftöver Crack's most anti-police songs, performed in front of the police, for a public demonstration against police brutality. The incident was entitled "Donut Social". Immediately after his arrest, fans verbally protested the police officers demanding his release while screaming "Freedom of speech is fucking dead! You killed it!" among other sentiments. Some angry fans were taser
Taser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
ed, physically beaten, and stomped by police. The incident was filmed and posted on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.
Departure of Ezra and tour of Australia
Following the release and subsequent touring in support of "Deadline", Leftöver Crack gradually became less prominent as members (namely Stza and Ezra) focused on other musical projects - such as Star Fucking Hipsters and Morning Glory, respectively. Although still regularly playing shows, the band effectively took a backseat, especially when Star Fucking Hipsters released each of their first two albums, "Until We're DeadUntil We're Dead
Until We're Dead is the first studio album by ska-punk/anarcho-punk band Star Fucking Hipsters. It was released in 2008 on Fat Wreck Chords.-Background:...
" and "Never Rest in Peace
Never Rest in Peace
Never Rest In Peace is the second studio album by ska-punk/anarcho-punk band Star Fucking Hipsters. It officially released on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 on Alternative Tentacles, although those who purchased the album on the Alternative Tentacles website received the album before the official...
".
Towards the end of 2009, it was announced that longtime guitarist and backing vocalist Ezra had left the band. Although initially appearing to be an amicable departure, this later escalated when Stza effectively began an online 'feud' with Ezra, accusing him of being a liar and drug addict.
In November 2009, Leftöver Crack toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in their career. However, the line-up for all of the shows consisted of Stza, guitarist Frank Piegaro (of Star Fucking Hipsters/Degenerics) and two Australian's filling in - Alex Flamsteed (Hereafter) & Chris Cox (Phalanx).
Following the Australian tour, Stza stated at a house show in West Auckland that Leftöver Crack would most probably be inactive in the future, much like Choking Victim before them. This coincided with the increased rate of activity from Star Fucking Hipsters, which has become his main creative outlet as of late.
In December 2010, Leftöver Crack announced that they were playing three shows. Returning to the line-up was Ezra, implying that the feud between him and Stza may have been resolved.
In January 2011, it was announced through their Facebook page that Leftöver Crack would be doing a West Coast tour in February and an East Coast tour in March. They will also be playing a small UK tour in August 2011, including the Reading and Leeds festivals.
Venue bans, criminal records and visa restriction
Leftöver Crack has been banned from performing in many venues in New York City, such as ABC No RioABC No Rio
ABC No Rio is a social center located at 156 Rivington Street on New York City's Lower East Side that was founded in 1980. It features a gallery space, a zine library, a darkroom, a silkscreening studio, and public computer lab...
and the Knitting Factory
Knitting Factory
The Knitting Factory is a music venue and concert house with locations in Brooklyn, Boise, Reno, and Spokane. The club originally specialized in jazz and experimental music and has expanded to showcasing all genres of music, performing arts and comedy....
. However, they still play at banned venues under a different name, Crack Rock Steady 7(Siete) or individually as solo acts. They repeatedly have trouble touring in certain countries, especially Canada, due to members having prior criminal records. They were most recently denied entry into Canada for a tour scheduled at the end of 2007. At a show in Boston, MA in August 2008, Stza angrily stated Leftöver Crack would never return to Boston. In 2006, after their show in Boise, Stza announced to a group of fans that they would never return, Boise was subsequently skipped in '07 and Star Fucking Hipsters' 2010 Boise date was cancelled a week or so after being posted, though they returned to Boise in March 2011.
Future
In an October 9, 2011 interview with Tao LinTao Lin
Tao Lin is an American writer. He was born of Taiwanese parents and grew up on the East Coast of the USA.He is the author of two novels, Eeeee Eee Eeee and Richard Yates ; a novella, Shoplifting from American Apparel ; a short story collection, Bed ; and two poetry collections, you are a little...
a third Leftover Crack album was tentatively confirmed to begin production in 2012. Stza stated: "I have a few things to focus on beyond SFH in the upcoming months & next year & working on another Leftover Crack record is one of the higher priorities. We will start production in 2012 for sure..."
Full lengths
- Mediocre GenericaMediocre GenericaMediocre Generica is the debut album by the American punk band Leftöver Crack. It was released on September 11, 2001 and includes much sociopolitical commentary, including anti-police sentiment, anti-racism and anti-homophobia. The album was originally intended to be titled Shoot the Kids at...
- (September 11, 2001) - Fuck World TradeFuck World TradeFuck World Trade is an album by American punk band Leftöver Crack, released in 2004 on the Alternative Tentacles label.The album continues the band's self-defined status as anti-racist, anti-misogynist, anti-capitalist, and anarcho-communist. It also contains references to the fact that their first...
- (August 31, 2004)
EPs
- Rock the 40 Oz. - (May 8, 2000)
- Shoot the Kids at School - (2000)
- Rock the 40 Oz: ReloadedRock the 40 Oz: ReloadedRock the 40 Oz: Reloaded is a compilation album released by Leftöver Crack. It features songs from their first release, Rock the 40 Oz. also featuring songs from compilation albums, and some bonus tracks.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:12...
- (July 16, 2004)
Splits
- Baby Jesus Sliced Up in the Manger (as the Crack Rock Steady 7, with F-Minus), HellBent Records, 2001.
- Leftover Crack / Citizen FishCitizen FishCitizen Fish is a ska punk band that has been together since 1990. The band often makes strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning the status quo, and encouraging people to get along with one another...
Split 7" (with Citizen Fish), Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, 2006. - Deadline (split album)Deadline (split album)Deadline is a split album released in 2007 on Alternative Tentacles Records and Fat Wreck Chords.The album features 15 songs from the 2 bands, Leftöver Crack and Citizen Fish. Each band covers two songs. Citizen Fish covers "Money" by Choking Victim, and "Clear Channel " by Leftöver Crack...
(with Citizen Fish), Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, March 6, 2007. (LP on Alternative Tentacles Records)
Compilations
- Give 'Em the Boot II, (Crack City Rockers[Demo]) Hellcat RecordsHellcat RecordsHellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
, 1999. - Punk Rawk Explosion 6, (Nazi White Trash), ?, 2003.
- Give 'Em the Boot III, (Atheist Anthem) Hellcat RecordsHellcat RecordsHellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
, 2002. - Go Kart vs. the Corporate Giant Vol. 3, (Rock The 40oz) Go Kart RecordsGo Kart RecordsGo-Kart Records is an independent record label specializing in punk rock located in New York City. It also has a European division in Mannheim, Germany....
, 2002. - 2003 Sampler, (So Ya Wanna Be A Cop) A-F RecordsA-F RecordsA-F Records is an independent record label originated by the band Anti-Flag, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. This label was created to help expose more political punk rock bands to a greater audience...
, 2003. - Fueling the Flames of Revolution Vol. 3, (One Dead Cop) A-F RecordsA-F RecordsA-F Records is an independent record label originated by the band Anti-Flag, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. This label was created to help expose more political punk rock bands to a greater audience...
, 2003. - Against Police Injustice,(Operation:MOVE, Super Tuesday[Demo]) Non Commercial, 2003.
- Mass Destruction, (Muppet N.A.M.B.L.A) BANKSHOT! Records, 2003.
- Riot Ska, (Drug Song, Nobody Is Free) Beer Records, 2004.
- The Kids Are Gonna Pay (Look Who's Talking Now) with F-Minus, Morning Glory, Bent Outta Shape, Blacknoise Records, 2006.
Live
- 2002: Straight Outta' Naples
- 2001: Live C-Squat 3/31/01
- 2008: live at the stage @ Arnhem, Holland
See also
- F-MinusF-MinusF-Minus was a hardcore punk band formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, California. Started by Jen Johnson and Brad Logan. F-Minus was known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds . One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal...
- No-CashNo-CashNo-Cash was an American punk rock band that formed in 1999. No-Cash consisted of four members that were as follows: Big C on lead vocals and guitar, Judd , The Fang , and Arms Of Fury...
- Choking VictimChoking VictimChoking Victim was a United States punk rock band formed in New York City, which were together from 1992 to 1999. Playing a mix of hardcore punk and ska with anarchist lyrics...
- Crack Rock Steady 7
- No Commercial Value
- Morning Glory (Not to be confused with the Toronto punk rock band of the same name that played through the 1990s)
- INDK
- C-SquatC-SquatC Squat is a squat located at 155 Avenue C in the East Village of Manhattan, New York City, in an area called Loisaida.-History:Journalist and author Robert Neuwirth described the situation that gave birth to many of New York's squats, including C Squat, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, "In the...
- Star Fucking HipstersStar Fucking HipstersStar Fucking Hipsters is a punk rock band from New York City who have released albums on Fat Wreck Chords and Alternative Tentacles records. They have been called a "punk supergroup" and feature members from numerous notable bands including Leftöver Crack, Ensign, and The Ergs!-Initial formation...