Biography
Since 1993, the New Jersey group Worthless United has focused on melodic but hard-hitting punk in the vein of early acts such as the Clash, Sham 69, and the Damned. Originally operating under the name Worthless, the band steers clear of the emocore sound that dominated alternative radio during the 1990s and early 2000s, so it bears no resemblance to blink-182, Fenix TX, or the Sloppy Meateaters. Worthless United instead embraces a classic punk approach and draws clear inspiration from the foundational outfits of the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly those from Britain, while echoing the Clash in its willingness to tackle pointed political themes.
The original lineup took shape in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1993, founded by lead singer Dave Calantoni and bassist Scott Asbury. Their debut performance occurred at the Stone Pony, the storied New Jersey venue where a young Bruce Springsteen once appeared regularly. In its initial period the East Coast unit experienced several personnel shifts. By 1996 guitarist/singer Zac Kaplan and drummer Steve Asbury—Scott Asbury’s older brother—had joined, and the configuration of Calantoni, Kaplan, Steve Asbury, and Scott Asbury remained intact through 2002. During that span the New Jersey musicians built a modest regional audience concentrated in the Northeast and altered the band name from Worthless to Worthless United to prevent overlap with other similarly titled groups.
After issuing assorted 7-inch singles in the 1990s, some through their own Metro Recordings imprint, Worthless United assembled the full-length album Which Side Are You On. Released in 2002 on Chunksaah Records—the label run by fellow New Jersey outfit the Bouncing Souls—the record blended earlier demos with fresh tracks. That same year the four-song EP I Am Nothing appeared via the Jersey City, New Jersey-based Now or Never label.
The original lineup took shape in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1993, founded by lead singer Dave Calantoni and bassist Scott Asbury. Their debut performance occurred at the Stone Pony, the storied New Jersey venue where a young Bruce Springsteen once appeared regularly. In its initial period the East Coast unit experienced several personnel shifts. By 1996 guitarist/singer Zac Kaplan and drummer Steve Asbury—Scott Asbury’s older brother—had joined, and the configuration of Calantoni, Kaplan, Steve Asbury, and Scott Asbury remained intact through 2002. During that span the New Jersey musicians built a modest regional audience concentrated in the Northeast and altered the band name from Worthless to Worthless United to prevent overlap with other similarly titled groups.
After issuing assorted 7-inch singles in the 1990s, some through their own Metro Recordings imprint, Worthless United assembled the full-length album Which Side Are You On. Released in 2002 on Chunksaah Records—the label run by fellow New Jersey outfit the Bouncing Souls—the record blended earlier demos with fresh tracks. That same year the four-song EP I Am Nothing appeared via the Jersey City, New Jersey-based Now or Never label.