Leftöver Crack

Leftöver Crack is a political ska-punk/hardcore punk band formed in 2000 that rose from the remains of the seminal ska-punk band Choking Victim, which released one very-low budget LP and a couple of EPs in the 1990s. LöC is often referred to as "squatcore" for its practice of that lifestyle. They write music that is anti-capitalist, anti-bigotry, and anti-police. They span several different music genres including crust punk, ska, and death metal. LöC was formed with a higher production value than Choking Victim, and new topics were discussed. LöC, combined with Choking Victim and two other bands, Morning Glory and INDK, share a total of seven members between them. These seven musicians are collectively referred to as the "Crack Rock Steady Seven" (CRS7). The line-up of Leftover Crack changes fairly often, drawing on members of other NYC punk bands such as The Stockyard Stoics and The X-Possibles, with Stza, Alec and Ezra the only completely permanent members (Though Ezra was absent for most of the few 2005 gigs due to a blood infection). Brad Logan, or "Brad Minus" from F-Minus was not around for Mediocre Generica.

Leftöver Crack, in addition to the rest of the CRS7, combines elements of ska, hardcore, and crust punk, Choking Victim in particular also referred to itself as squat-core, and have also been known as crack rock steady music. the term "squat-core" comes from its focus on the lives of abandoned tenement squatters in New York City and writing songs about the poor. In fact, several members of Leftover Crack through the years have lived in a squat (which often served as a venue) located on 9th and C (155 Ave C) known as C-Squat. C-Squat references can be seen and heard on most Crack Rock Steady albums. Examples: "9C Lo-Cash crime family" & a heart with "155" written in it (from Morning Glory liner notes), "9th and C" (as heard in the background of the song "Homeo-Apathy"), and various others.

One of the most groundbreaking developments Leftöver Crack accomplished was with their song "Gay Rude Boys Unite", which seems to borrow some stylistic elements from Operation Ivy. The song accuses the ska-punk scene and Tim Armstrong of being homophobic and called for the inclusion of all minorities in the struggle for social equality.

They have been banned from performing in many venues in New York City, such as ABC No Rio, the Knitting Factory, and North 6th; however, they still play at banned venues sometimes, usually under different disguises or Sturgeon individually as a solo act.

In November of 2004, at "Cracktoberfest," an annual event hosting squat bands and other ska/punk/hardcore bands, the police cut the power towards the end of the show, causing an uproar. It is alleged that the cops became violent and incited a riot that lead to many broken windshields. Many newspapers did not cover this story, despite the magnitude of chaos. The New York Post's tiny blurb sided with the police, insinuating the punks started the riot.

The band took an indefinite hiatus after the death of drummer Brandon Possible. Stza spent the interim playing Leftöver Crack and Choking Victims songs by himself at a few solo acoustic shows. Leftöver Crack began touring again in the summer of 2005, including some dates with the Subhumans and The World/Inferno Friendship Society, as well as playing dates in October 2005 in California after the Wasted Fest was cancelled. 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".