Biography
Leftöver Crack, the New York punk band, fuse crusty hardcore punk, ska, and tongue-in-cheek death metal touches while channeling an unapologetically leftist stance marked by anti-police, anti-racism, and anti-homophobia themes. That outlook surfaced on the 2001 album Mediocre Generica and the 2004 release Fuck World Trade, which the group issued alongside a string of singles, EPs, and splits through Hellcat, HellBent, and Fat Wreck Chords. Following an extended break that included only occasional live shows, Leftöver Crack resurfaced in 2015 with their third full-length, the politically charged Constructs of the State.
The band took shape in 2000 as parent group Choking Victim dissolved. At its core sit singer, songwriter, and instigator Stza (Scott Sturgeon), guitarist Ezra Kire, and bassist Alec Baille, while the drum position has turned over repeatedly, featuring J.P. Otto, Brandon Possible, and Ara Babajian, who also plays in his own ska-punk ensemble the Slackers.
After the self-released 2000 demo Shoot the Kids at School, Leftöver Crack made their vinyl debut with the Rock the 40 Oz. EP on Bankshot, then delivered the full-length Mediocre Generica on Hellcat and Fuck World Trade on Alternative Tentacles. (Hellcat required the band to retitle and redesign the original Mediocre Generica, then known as Shoot the Kids at School with cover art that illustrated the phrase literally, prompting the group’s departure from the label.) Possible’s death from a drug overdose in 2004 led to a temporary split; the members reconvened the next year with Babajian on drums and Brad Logan (also known as Brad Minus of the California pop-punks F-Minus) on second guitar, began touring again, and issued the 2007 split album Deadline with Citizen Fish through Fat Wreck.
In subsequent years Leftöver Crack grew increasingly inactive as members turned to outside projects, notably Stza’s Star Fucking Hipsters and Ezra’s Morning Glory. Ezra departed amid a public dispute with Stza, returned briefly for a few 2010 shows, and five years later, in late 2015, the band reappeared with their long-awaited third album. Fat Wreck released Constructs of the State, which presented a revised lineup anchored by Stza and Baille alongside guitarist Chris Mann and drummer Donny, both drawn from Introsp3ct, second guitarist Brad Logan, and singer Kate Coysh. In 2018 the 30-track collection of “E-sides and F-sides” titled Leftover Leftöver Crack appeared.
The band took shape in 2000 as parent group Choking Victim dissolved. At its core sit singer, songwriter, and instigator Stza (Scott Sturgeon), guitarist Ezra Kire, and bassist Alec Baille, while the drum position has turned over repeatedly, featuring J.P. Otto, Brandon Possible, and Ara Babajian, who also plays in his own ska-punk ensemble the Slackers.
After the self-released 2000 demo Shoot the Kids at School, Leftöver Crack made their vinyl debut with the Rock the 40 Oz. EP on Bankshot, then delivered the full-length Mediocre Generica on Hellcat and Fuck World Trade on Alternative Tentacles. (Hellcat required the band to retitle and redesign the original Mediocre Generica, then known as Shoot the Kids at School with cover art that illustrated the phrase literally, prompting the group’s departure from the label.) Possible’s death from a drug overdose in 2004 led to a temporary split; the members reconvened the next year with Babajian on drums and Brad Logan (also known as Brad Minus of the California pop-punks F-Minus) on second guitar, began touring again, and issued the 2007 split album Deadline with Citizen Fish through Fat Wreck.
In subsequent years Leftöver Crack grew increasingly inactive as members turned to outside projects, notably Stza’s Star Fucking Hipsters and Ezra’s Morning Glory. Ezra departed amid a public dispute with Stza, returned briefly for a few 2010 shows, and five years later, in late 2015, the band reappeared with their long-awaited third album. Fat Wreck released Constructs of the State, which presented a revised lineup anchored by Stza and Baille alongside guitarist Chris Mann and drummer Donny, both drawn from Introsp3ct, second guitarist Brad Logan, and singer Kate Coysh. In 2018 the 30-track collection of “E-sides and F-sides” titled Leftover Leftöver Crack appeared.
Albums
