Lesser of Two
Encyclopedia
Lesser of Two was a crust punk
, crossover thrash
, screamo
and hardcore punk
band which began in Florida in 1989 and relocated to Oakland, California in 1997. Lesser of Two disbanded in 2003.
while skateboarding
in a strip mall. He became transfixed on the two competing brands of soda dispensers sitting side by side next to the grocery store. In those two "choices" the false dichotomy
inspired the name. In it choice, freedom, democracy, etc. were mere illusions used to fool the masses.
Ash Miller (second guitarist on Swing) told him that the name "Lesser of Two Evils" was too long. Soon after, DeCaprio was kicked out of the band because he was incompetent as a musician. He kept the name with a new band including Isaac Grant, Mike Shuman and Rob Coleman.
The volatility of line-ups became a hallmark of the band from then on. From 1989 until 2002 the band had 7 bass players, 7 drummers, 2 guitarists, 6 vocalists. The only thing that didn't change was the band name.
In 1995 Nelson, DeCaprio's wife, officially joined the band and played bass until the end. They appear on all the recordings except the Swing 7" and a track on the Farmhouse 1994 Compilation album.
Over the years Lesser Of Two released 3 7"s, three albums, and were on a number of compilations. Lesser of Two toured extensively in the United States
as well as Mexico
, Canada
, Germany
, Poland
, Czech Republic
, Slovakia
, Slovenia
, Italy
, Switzerland
, Belgium
, France
, Spain
, Austria
, and Netherlands
. They accomplished all this while maintaining a Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) ethic
.
In 1999, Lesser of Two released a cassette tape version of their self-titled album on one of the oldest punk labels in Poland, Nikt Nic Nie Wie
. They were featured in the Polish Magazine Pasazer #13-14 which included a compilation featuring a track from Lesser Of Two.
Lesser Of Two also joined with seminal Polish punk band Post Regiment
for a leg of their tour.
Lesser Of Two was given positive reviews by Maximumrocknroll magazine, Flipside fanzine
, Slug and Lettuce fanzine
, HeartattaCk magazine, and many others for their albums and their performances.
in Oakland. Other notable bands including former members of Lesser Of Two are Ballast, Preying Hands, Myth of Progress, Look Back and Laugh
and Pleasant Valley
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...
, crossover thrash
Crossover thrash
__FORCETOC__Crossover thrash, often abbreviated to crossover, is a form of thrash metal that contains more hardcore punk elements than standard thrash. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock...
, screamo
Screamo
Screamo, though used loosely to generally describe music that features screamed vocals, is actually a musical subgenre of hardcore punk which predominantly evolved from emo, among other genres, in the early 1990s...
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...
band which began in Florida in 1989 and relocated to Oakland, California in 1997. Lesser of Two disbanded in 2003.
History
Steven DeCaprio came up with the name during a hallucinationHallucination
A hallucination, in the broadest sense of the word, is a perception in the absence of a stimulus. In a stricter sense, hallucinations are defined as perceptions in a conscious and awake state in the absence of external stimuli which have qualities of real perception, in that they are vivid,...
while skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
in a strip mall. He became transfixed on the two competing brands of soda dispensers sitting side by side next to the grocery store. In those two "choices" the false dichotomy
False dilemma
A false dilemma is a type of logical fallacy that involves a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there are additional options...
inspired the name. In it choice, freedom, democracy, etc. were mere illusions used to fool the masses.
Ash Miller (second guitarist on Swing) told him that the name "Lesser of Two Evils" was too long. Soon after, DeCaprio was kicked out of the band because he was incompetent as a musician. He kept the name with a new band including Isaac Grant, Mike Shuman and Rob Coleman.
The volatility of line-ups became a hallmark of the band from then on. From 1989 until 2002 the band had 7 bass players, 7 drummers, 2 guitarists, 6 vocalists. The only thing that didn't change was the band name.
In 1995 Nelson, DeCaprio's wife, officially joined the band and played bass until the end. They appear on all the recordings except the Swing 7" and a track on the Farmhouse 1994 Compilation album.
Over the years Lesser Of Two released 3 7"s, three albums, and were on a number of compilations. Lesser of Two toured extensively in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as well as Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. They accomplished all this while maintaining a Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) ethic
DIY ethic
The DIY ethic refers to the ethic of self-sufficiency through completing tasks oneself as opposed to having others who are more experienced or able complete them for one's behalf. It promotes the idea that an ordinary person can learn to do more than he or she thought was possible...
.
In 1999, Lesser of Two released a cassette tape version of their self-titled album on one of the oldest punk labels in Poland, Nikt Nic Nie Wie
Nikt Nic Nie Wie
Nikt Nic Nie Wie is the first Polish independent record label. The label started in 1989 with the motto "podkładamy nogi tym, którzy nie chcą o nas słyszeć"...
. They were featured in the Polish Magazine Pasazer #13-14 which included a compilation featuring a track from Lesser Of Two.
Lesser Of Two also joined with seminal Polish punk band Post Regiment
Post Regiment
Post Regiment were a Polish punk rock or hardcore punk band. They formed in Warsaw in 1986.In the early days, Post Regiment had a much slower pace and more conventional singing style with vocalist Darek "Tolek" Gracki. By 1987, he left and Dominika "Nika" Domczyk took over on vocals...
for a leg of their tour.
Musical style
Lesser Of Two's music had a crust punk sound without following any rules of the genre. The music was characterized by incredibly fast tempos giving way to slower heavier parts. The music was also accompanied with screaming vocals, crazy noise, and political lyrics with an emphasis on the negative aspects of human existence.Lesser Of Two was given positive reviews by Maximumrocknroll magazine, Flipside fanzine
Flipside (fanzine)
Flipside was a punk rock fanzine published in Los Angeles, California from 1977 to 2000.As one of the first and longest running US punk rock fanzines, this publication extensively chronicled the world of independent and underground music during this era. Known for its highly opinionated cast of...
, Slug and Lettuce fanzine
Slug and Lettuce (fanzine)
Slug and Lettuce is a free newsprint punk zine started in New York City and currently based in Richmond, Virginia. Its byline reads "A zine supporting the Do-It-Yourself ethics of the punk community". It is published quarterly and in spring 2012, it will be twenty five years old...
, HeartattaCk magazine, and many others for their albums and their performances.
Notable concerts
During the over decade Lesser Of Two was active they played many notable concerts.- February 3, 1993 with Born AgainstBorn AgainstBorn Against was an American hardcore punk band from New York active between 1989–1993. In addition to their radical leftist politics, the group espoused a DIY punk message and challenged what they perceived as problematic within the punk subculture of their time.-History:The group was founded in...
Pensacola, FL - May 28, 1994 with Los CrudosLos CrudosLos Crudos was an American hardcore punk band from Chicago, Illinois that existed from 1991 to 1998. The band played in the hardcore punk style, and were a popular act within the DIY underground of the 1990s. Being Latino, they paved the way for later Spanish-speaking punk bands and helped to...
, Apocalypse HobokenApocalypse HobokenApocalypse Hoboken was an American punk rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois which toured the US and Europe and released seven albums on various labels, including Rocco Records and Dyslexic Records...
, and many more Hardcore Against Hunger at Scrap Skate Park: 2350 Hassel, Hoffman Estates - December 20, 1995 with Right Turn Clyde at Oak Park House, Corpus Christi, TX
- July 13, 1996 with Shades ApartShades ApartShades Apart were an American alternative rock musical group from Bridgewater, New Jersey. They are best known for their US radio hit "Valentine" and their cover of the hit song "Tainted Love."-History:...
, Dillinger FourDillinger FourDillinger Four is an American punk rock band formed in 1994 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have released four full-length studio albums. The current band members are Patrick Costello on bass guitar and vocals, Erik Funk and Bill Morrisette on guitars and vocals, and Lane Pederson on drums.- Studio...
, at 924 Gilman, Berkeley, CA - July 30, 1996 with Los CrudosLos CrudosLos Crudos was an American hardcore punk band from Chicago, Illinois that existed from 1991 to 1998. The band played in the hardcore punk style, and were a popular act within the DIY underground of the 1990s. Being Latino, they paved the way for later Spanish-speaking punk bands and helped to...
, See In Red, Torches To Rome, and Palatka at the Fireside Bowl, Chicago, IL - August 9, 1996 with Jesuit, RacetraitorRacetraitorRacetraitor was an American political straight edge hardcore punk band from Chicago, Illinois.The band was known for calling audience members "crackers" and for espousing radical beliefs influenced by black nationalism, third worldism and other anti-colonial ideologies...
, Seein' Red, Torches to Rome, Palatka and more Greenville, NC - June 20, 1998 with CavityCavity (band)Cavity was an American sludge metal band from Miami, Florida. They formed in 1992 and broke up around 2003. Steve Brooks and Juan Montoya would go on to play in Torche and Floor...
at Joe's house in San Jose, CA - July 26, 1998 with From Ashes RiseFrom Ashes RiseFrom Ashes Rise is an American hardcore punk band, formed in Nashville, Tennessee in the mid-'90s. They helped define the gloom-heavy thrash sound attributed to groups like His Hero is Gone and Tragedy...
at Warm Water Cove, San Francisco, CA - October 15, 1999 with Post RegimentPost RegimentPost Regiment were a Polish punk rock or hardcore punk band. They formed in Warsaw in 1986.In the early days, Post Regiment had a much slower pace and more conventional singing style with vocalist Darek "Tolek" Gracki. By 1987, he left and Dominika "Nika" Domczyk took over on vocals...
at the Rozbrat Squat's fifth year anniversary, Poznan, Poland. - November 13, 1999 with Brother Inferior at MKNZ in Slovenija
- December 25, 1999 with Sin DiosSin DiosSin Dios was a hardcore/anarcho-punk band from Spain that formed in 1988 in Madrid. Their first gigs were held in squatted houses . In 1990 they released their first demo "...Ni amo" which contained 13 tracks and took them to their first tour across Spain always playing within autonomous and...
at Na Vera, Madrid, Spain - July 7, 2001 with Fallas Del Sistema at Las Biaz, Gudalajara, Mexico
- July 27–30, 2001 at the Collectivist Conference against Globalization in Hermosillo, Mexico
- September 1, 2001 with Creation is CrucifixionCreation Is CrucifixionCreation Is Crucifixion is a mathcore band that was formed in early 1997 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band was known for its complicated sound, which varied from ambient noise to more complex pieces...
Oakland,CA AK Press Warehouse Space - February 9, 2002 with TragedyTragedy (band)Tragedy is a melodic crust punk band originally from Memphis, Tennessee and formed in 2000.-Members:*Todd Burdette - Guitar/Vocals - Also of Deathreat, Severed Head of State, Trauma and Warcry, Formerly of Copout, Rueben James, His Hero is Gone, Funeral and Call The Police*Yannick Lorrain - Guitar...
at Casa Sangre, Oakland, CA - June 24, 2002 with KakistocracyKakistocracy (band)Kakistocracy is a crust hardcore band that formed in 1997. The band originally formed in Bristol, Virginia with guitarist and vocalist Matt Casteel, bassist and vocalist Daniel Serber, and drummer Josh Kelly. The band relocated for a time to Johnson City, Tennessee, eventually having all the...
and HiretsukanHiretsukanHiretsukan is a New York-based band that formed in 1998 just outside of Washington, D.C. In the following years, they recorded their "Brown Bag" demo, and went out on a few small tours...
at clava haus in Asheville, NC - June 26, 2002 with Uphill BattleUphill BattleUphill Battle was an American metalcore band with elements of grindcore. The group was based out of Santa Barbara, California, USA.-History:Uphill Battle got some recognition releasing their self-titled record on Relapse Records...
at Uncle doctors, Columbia, SC
Current projects
Currently DeCaprio and Nelson, who are the only members to play on all three albums, play in the band EmbersEmbers (band)
Embers is a dark ambient heavy metal band with male and female vocals and a black metal influence from Oakland, California.-History:Embers was formed in 2004 by Kelly Nelson on bass and vocals, Steven DeCaprio on guitar, and Jerry Buchanan on drums....
in Oakland. Other notable bands including former members of Lesser Of Two are Ballast, Preying Hands, Myth of Progress, Look Back and Laugh
Look Back and Laugh
Look Back and Laugh was a San Francisco Bay Area 80's style hardcore punk band featuring members from many notable Bay Area bands. The name is from a song by Minor Threat with the same name.-History:...
and Pleasant Valley
Discography
- 1991: Swing 7" E.P. vinyl
- 1994: Journey Compilation on cassette tape
- 1994: Farmhouse '94 Compilation on C.D. and 12" vinyl(Farmhouse Records)
- 1995: Man...kind 7" E.P. vinyl
- 1999: self titled album on C.D, 12" vinyl, and cassette tape [Nict Nic Nie Wie (Poland), Malarie Records (Czech Republic), Estajanovismo Records (Mexico)]
- 2000: Magazine Pasazer #13-14 magazine with compilation C.D.
- 2000: Jedzenie zamiast polityki compilation cassette with proceeds supporting Food Not BombsFood Not BombsFood Not Bombs is a loose-knit group of independent collectives, serving free vegan and vegetarian food to others. Food Not Bombs' ideology is that myriad corporate and government priorities are skewed to allow hunger to persist in the midst of abundance...
in Poland (Krzyk) - 2001: Transmutation 7" E.P. vinyl
- 2002: Transmutation discography album on C.D. (singles, and outtakes)
- 2002: War Circus album on C.D.