Interview with Stza of Leftöver Crack
From the ruins of the self proclaimed squat-core band Choking Victim emerged the ska & punk influenced Leftöver Crack and the band continues to persevere through political persecution, corporate neglect and personal tragedy. I had the opportunity to ask a few questions of lead singer, Stza, and he was gracious enough to take some time and work through some thoughts on corporate punk, the Zapatista tribe and maintaining the band’s integrity.
CB: I believe that bands like Leftöver Crack have a connection with bands like Anti-Flag & other borderline corporate bands like Against Me! While I think that one cannot exist without the other, can politically fueled music truly exist at a corporate level?
S: Well, the issue of hypocrisy is definitely raised and I feel it is a very important issue, but I also understand how manipulative the media in this country is, and while I don’t believe I would ever be interested in signing to a corporate label, I know that having a band like Anti-Flag in the spot-light will only help a band like ours prosper. Plus they are friends of ours, so I support their decisions.
CB: I’ve read that the band has played with the Dead Kennedys in the past. Recently, has the band been approached by any other notable acts concerning playing with them during the upcoming spring tour or thereafter?
S: Well, I must say that when we played with the “NEW” DKs, we had already turned them down in the states as we wanted nothing to do with their cashing in on important political issues and tarnishing the group’s good name. The fact is we weren’t told till the day before and we didn’t want to let down our own fans in England. And no, we don’t get too many offers to play with popular punk bands that we respect and when we do, we usually have already booked a tour for those dates and have to turn the band down…but we will be playing a couple of shows in the mid-west with the Subhumans this April.
CB: Touting that Leftöver Crack is “anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic, anti-cop, and anti-breeding, but pro-choice;” does the band still feel that they can be successful in America given that it is such an uphill battle?
S: Well, I think that we have already achieved a fair amount of success. When I talk to the fans that we do have, they are usually extremely enthusiastic about our music and political messages, the latter being the more important. I think if it wasn’t for our politics, we might sell a few more records, but people wouldn’t be steadily gravitating towards our back catalog over the years as they have. And as immortal technique says, if you go platinum, it just means a million people are as stupid as fuck.
CB: While reading, I came across some information noting that you’ve spent some time in Mexico with the Zapatistas. How has that changed, influenced or confirmed the band’s music?
S: It’s hard to find popular revolutionary movements that have actually had some success, especially so close to the United States, where our government feels the need to crush all revolutionary activity. So, it’s definitely inspirational and reaffirming that we are not completely crazy and there are popular movements that thrive on many of the same principals that we hold dear.
C: I am a graduating business major and find myself constantly battling between the rules that govern our society and my personal ethics. I’m not trying to find a balance between my personal ethics and the political & business-based environment, because in doing so I have to greatly compromise my personal beliefs and integrity. I’ve heard that Leftöver Crack have been banned from certain clubs. Has this compromised the band’s beliefs at all, and how can I continue without giving up my beliefs?
S: No, when we are banned from clubs because of our political beliefs, it just reaffirms our righteousness. It’s easy to continue without compromising your beliefs; it simply involves shunning a lot of the best opportunities and settling for less money and less recognition.
C: Thank you very much for your time, and I hope that the band has a very successful tour this spring!
S: Gracias y viva la lucha.
Leftöver Crack “Gang Control” [MP3]
Leftöver Crack “Via Sin Dios” [MP3]
Leftöver Crack “Gringos Son Puercos Feos” [MP3]
First and foremost choking victim, leftover crack, the crack rock steady seven, whatever the fuck you know them as, are simply put the greatest musicians this world has seen. Ignorance is bliss to the majority of the world, but fuck that. I personally think that regardless of how well known or how respected they are that their message is and will remain an inspiration to my soul, and the soul of many others! FUCK THE POPULARITY CONTEST!!! That sole concern is what rapes and permanentaly damages the lives of so many. FUCK POPULAR, FUCK IGNORANCE, FUCK CONFORMITY, AND MOST OF ALL FUCK YOU IF YOU DONT WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS COUNTRY AND THE SHAME WE EDUCATED CITIZENS HAVE TO CARRY WITH THE TITLE OF BEING AN “AMERICAN”. Get at me!!!
I saw LoC when they played in New Orleans last summer. I must say, it was probably the best show I’ve been too in a long, LONG time. And I have much respect for the guys, and what they stand for, and their dedication to their own ethics and morals.
If you like, LoC/CV, check out Star Fucking Hipsters. The best way I can describe it is “melodic crust punk”.
Fuck yea! totaly agree with last guy that commited on…i live in fucking suberia outside of Houston Texas! Noth’n but fucking ignorants, & fatass pusy fuck’n emo shit heads, im 16 and have and always will be a straight edge skate punk!!! My friend Ben RAybourn is little punk that introduce me to YALL, & i’ve been hooked ever since. FUCK THE COPS THEY CANT CONTROL!!!
ok soo like the rest of these people i love LOC. but i have to say that people who just say shit like fuck the police over and over again and shout things like OI! i just dont understand i mean unless your chanting some insane story about how the police fucked you i don’t wanna hear it. cause im almost positive all punks hate the police and i don’t think in needs to be confirmed every fucking punk show ya go to and i think its safe to say that there are officially bigger problems we have in this fucked place called u s of a that we can yell about. so lets scream fuck oil spills right? no. we cant do that cause that is not traditional punk and god forbid punks do anything thats not already part of the famous be an asshole hate government and cops apathetic lifestyle. its fuckin silly. for us to be “rebels” who follow the rules of our culture. not that what i think is important since im sitting here typing away my useless opinions.
chris, you’re the biggest hypocrite ever. just calm down and take off caps lock. talk about your love for the band, there’s no need for all the swearing
Bowie, another prime example of whats wrong with today’s youth. Talk about loving a band that thinks outside the box, that doesnt conform and is accepting of different ways of living than modernized “suberia”(what?) and then trash a complete segment of kids for being something different than you are. Hypocrite. You’ve got a lot of growing up to do kid, as for the band, I came here to learn about them and from what I can read I’ll have to give them a shot but I fear its just another punk band yelling (not singing) about whats wrong with the world and not doing anything to change it. But of course I’ll give them a fair go and come back and post if I find its worth the effort.
Horrifically overrated band. No wonder only stupid impressionable teenagers like this garbage.
I think antagonism is best communicated to the young and angry, but what does it take to communicate to soldiers with their bullets and shields. Solids. Thats what anger, hate, racism, any of the above comprise of is solid communication which is lower on the scale than say a positive message given in a bored or slightly interested tone.
My point is this music has a very positive message with an antagonistic tone and is best communicated to the individuals who use it against the solid, the sops, soldiers, blind politicians hiding behind their own crimes and the many suppressives who are at the top of the food chain picking us out and creating a world of blind beings. Please, however done send a message but keep making good music with a purpose.