Leftover Crack at Gramercy in 2009 (more by Justina Villanueva)

Ska punks Leftover Crack will ring in the new year at Music Hall of Williamsburg on New Year's Day (1/1/12). Tickets for the Brooklyn show, their only one scheduled at the moment, go on sale Friday (11/11) at noon.

Stza Crack recently discussed plans for a new Leftover Crack album in an interview with Tao Lin. They talked about the Star Fucking Hipsters record release show at Europa in October and the future plans of both bands:

TC: Is October 11 the last SFH show ever? After this SFH album are you going to focus on another Leftover Crack album?

SC: SFH will play again, we just don't have anything booked at the moment. Things are hectic for several members of the band at the moment, so, we'll figure it out & should have news about touring soon. I have a few things to focus on beyond SFH in the upcoming months & next year & working on another Leftover Crack record is one of the higher priorities. We will start production in 2012 for sure...

Some videos of Stza's acoustic set at Punk Island over the summer are below...

Continue reading "Leftover Crack working on new album, schedule a show"

We previously discussed Phily's Riot Fest East that will feature an appearance from the mighty Descendents and The Suicide Machines who they also play with in NYC. Riot Fest East, an offshoot of the Chicago festival, happens on September 24th.

The Chicago version of the festival, October 5-9, previously announced that Weezer, Social Distortion, Descendents, 7 Seconds, ALL (two different eras!), Helmet, and X (playing Los Angeles) were all on the lineup, but left one big announcement for today...

On Friday October 7, 2011 Danzig will headline Riot Fest and perform a career spanning show featuring sets of Danzig, Samhain and Misfits songs with none other than Doyle joining on guitar the Misfits set. We've waited years for this and we can't wait to see the inside of the Congress Theater turn into a churning sea of humanity.

Tickets are now also on sale for the Descendents show at Roseland Ballroom that Suicide Machines and H20 are opening.

X are performing Los Angeles at both Riot Fests AND on two nights at Irving Plaza in NYC. Tickets are on sale for those shows too.

Riot Fest show flyers and some videos is below.

Continue reading "Riot Fest Chicago completes lineup with "Danzig Legacy"! Descendents East Coast shows on sale too"

Punk Island returns to Governors Island on June 19 as part of the annual city-wide Make Music New York fest (which actually occurs two days later). The main stage will be headlined by UK anarcho-punk pioneers Zounds. The festival is FREE and also features performances by A.P.P.L.E., Stza Crack (of Leftover Crack/Choking Victim/Star Fucking Hipsters) who is playing a solo set, White Collar Crime (reunion show, after 8 year hiatus), and tons more over multiple stages from 11AM to 5PM. The full lineup is below.

Zounds, who are led by Steve Lake (only remaining original member), got their start touring with fellow UK anarcho-punks Crass and releasing an EP on their label, Crass Records. Zounds followed that EP with a full length and 3 singles on Rough Trade before breaking up in 1982. The band's entire history since 1982 is unclear, but you can watch videos of a 1996 performance below, and they reportedly reformed in 2001, though these June performances are also being billed as the band's first-ever US shows. Before Punk Island, Zounds will play a NYC show at ABC No Rio on June 18 with Neon Bitches (feat. Brian of Dropdead) and Zero Content, both of whom also play Punk Island.

Zounds, whose current lineup is pictured above, are set to release The Redemption of Zounds, their first album of new material since reforming. Their 1981 Rough Trade album was titled The Curse of Zounds (also pictured above). According to Steve Lake, "It is as bewildering, absurd, tragic and joyful as it ever was." The album comes out on July 12 via Overground/Plastic Head. Tracklist and album art are below. Check them out along with the full Punk Island lineup, the flyer and some videos, below...

Continue reading "Punk Island happens Sunday (final lineup), Zounds are playing there & ABC No Rio & releasing an LP too"

I knew that Steve Ignorant saying "The only the problem is the visas" wasn't a good sign. Steve posted the following 'Emergency Annoucement' to his website:

I'm really really gutted to have to let you all know that we have to reschedule our USA and Canadian gigs. There's a delay with the issue of the visas we require to enter the USA. We hope it will all be sorted soon but we will NOT be able to make the scheduled gigs.

I would ask everyone to please hold onto your tickets and give us about a week to announce new dates. We will reschedule as soon as possible and tickets will be valid for the rescheduled dates, however, if you think 'fuck it, I want my money back', then do that and I will completely understand.

I know that loads of you have been planning to travel for these gigs and that rescheduling them will be a right kick in the bollocks for you. I'm really, really genuinely very sorry about this. Please understand that this situation is costing me and the band a load of emotional upset, it's not the money, it's the letting you lot down, the bands that we were going to play with, all the people that have worked so fucking hard to put this thing together and if we could have done anything to avoid it we would have. Honestly, with all my heart, there was nothing else we could do. PLEASE, if you could let other gig-goers know that it's off for now through your emails and face books or whatever means you can please do so. I know these are only typed words and words aint enough but it's all I can do. To say I feel a right xxxt would be an understatement. This is the worse thing I've ever had to do. We really appreciate your support and we will do these gigs one way or another. Here are the rescheduled dates that will be confirmed as soon as our visas are confirmed. Until the powers that be grant us entry there's nothing more I can do at the moment. Again, I'm really so sorry about all this.

Everything is tbc pending visas but we are hoping they will get issued this week.

All tickets will be good for the rescheduled shows.

Meanwhile, the 3/10 show at Santos WILL happen, but just without any Crass...

Ok,so as most of you probably know by now Steve Ignorants' "Crass" has had some visa issues and is moving their show originally scheduled for THIS THURSDAY March 10th @ Santos Party House in NYC to May 8th 2011.

However the rest of the bands on the bill WILL BE PLAYING!!!

Line up is as follows:
LEFTOVER CRACK
THULSA DOOM (reunion)
A TRUTH
and special guest maybe.

Show has two ticket prices:
$5 for anyone bringing proof of either a ticket or print out proving they purchased an online ticket for Crass (and you'll still be able to use that ticket at the CRASS make-up show on May 8th).
$8 everyone else., Doors at 7pm, Show starts at 8pm

Continue reading "Steve Ignorant's "Performing Crass" tour rescheduled! (Leftover Crack still playing Santos, Don Hill moves to Europa)"

by BBG

Government Warning

Tons of great hardcore and punk shows in the coming months!

Richmond hardcore rippers Government Warning will hit the road for a string of dates with Night Birds in late February, hitting NYC for a pair of shows on Feb 19th. The day of old-school hardcore madness begins at an early show at Cake Shop (5PM) with Perdition and Ex-Humans and continues into the wee hours at a late show (11PM) with 0megas at 538 Johnson, # 201. Full tour dates are below.

As previously mentioned, 108 teams up with Ensign, Incendiary, and Torchbearer at Cake Shop at 3PM on Saturday (1/08, yeah I know). Tickets are still available, but this 21+ show WILL sell out. As a result, 108 has added a second ALL AGES show at Death By Audio with Primitive Weapons, Heavy Breath and Black Kites that will kick off at 9PM. No advance tickets, and $10 gets you in.

And now for all of you who missed them on their first go around, you're in luck. Tear It Up have reunited and will play Europa on March 25th with Last in Line & The Cell Mates.

Since forming out of the ashes of Dead Nation in 2000, Tear It Up has become a mainstay of the American DIY hardcore scene. Their aggressive fast hardcore sound and intense live performance won over legions of fans from the start. Tear It Up toured the US and Europe constantly, and when not on tour still played as many as 4 shows a week anywhere within a days drive of their native New Jersey. Tear It Up survived several line up changes most notably Paul went on to form Cut the Shit and John was drafted from Down in Flames. Tear It Up broke up shortly before [their final record Taking You Down With Me] was released... Let it be known that Tear It Up went out at the top and never put out a weak record or put or a lame half hearted show.

Most Precious Blood are back, and will play Cake Shop on January 30th with Suburban Scum & Spectators. Advance tickets are available now.

The previously discussed 'Steve Ignorant plays Crass' show at Santos Party House on March 10 has added Leftover Crack and Thulsa Doom to it's ranks. Tickets are still available. Leftover Crack played Music Hall of Williamsburg on the day after Christmas 2010, but not with Bouncing Souls in Asbury Park that same week.

Reverend Horton Heat has a pretty impressive set of tour dates laid out for the first half of the year, and one of thise is scheduled for The Bell House on May 6th. Tickets are on sale. Full tour schedule is below.

Though Stiff Little Fingers still exists as a band, original guitar player Harry Cluney will play Europa to perform "Stiff Little Fingers Classics" on Feb 11th. Tickets are on sale.

Supertouch has reunited, and will play Santos on Feb 12th with Sweet Diesel. The show originally had 1.6 Band on the bill, but they have since been removed. Tickets are on sale.

Reagan Youth will team up with Yuppicide, Beer & Cable, and Agitator to play Europa on January 23rd. Tickets are on sale.

The Brooklyn venue will also host a monsterous hardcore lineup two months later featuring Urban Waste, Ultra Violence, Step 2 Far, Down Low NYHC, Darkside NYC, Kincaid, Fed Up, Caught In A Trap, Chesty Malone & The Slice Em Up's, Not Without A Fight, Sexual Suicide, Olde York, and Yo Scunt. The March 26th show will begin at 1PM and tickets are on sale.

Tour dates and some video below...

Continue reading "Government Warning, 108, Tear it Up, Most Precious Blood, Rev Horton Heat & other punk & hardcore shows & tours"

photos by Katie Hovland

Bouncing Souls @ Riot Fest 2010

The Bouncing Souls have announced their 2010 iteration of Home for the Holidays, now in its fourth year and featuring as many nights of shows at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Tickets are on sale for all four shows: 12/26, 12/27, 12/28, 12/29. Each night will have a different set of support, as 12/26 will get Strike Anywhere, Adrenaline OD, & The Great Explainer, 12/27 gets Fake Problems, Lemuria, & The Swellers, 12/28 gets Leftover Crack, The Menzingers, & Top Soil, and the final night (12/29) gets H20, Yuppicide and Dirty Tactics.

H20, on board for the 12/29 date at The Stone Pony, will also hit Highline Ballroom the next night (12/30) with Trapped Under Ice and Wisdom In Chains. The show is part of a short stint of confirmed dates for H20 (12/27 - 12/30) with more to be announced (12/2 - 12/5). Tickets are on sale to the all-ages, no barricade NYC show. Plus, the band is giving the audience the opportunity to pick the songs for the set from over 60+ choices including covers by Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys and others.

Leftover Crack has a headlining show in NYC too, as the band will play Music Hall of Wiliiamsburg on 12/26. Tickets are on sale. Leftover Crack related project Star Fucking Hipsters will play NYC a month prior, hitting Knitting Factory on 11/28. Tickets for that are also on sale.

The Bouncing Souls played Riot Fest in Chicago (October 6th - 10th) alongside bands like Bad Religion, Cap'n Jazz, Circle Jerks, Off With Their Heads, and Propagandhi. Belated pictures from that show, as well as Bouncing Souls and H20 dates, are below.

Continue reading "Bouncing Souls Holiday Shows & other Leftover Crack & H2O dates ++ pics from Riot Fest "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Star Fucking Hipsters - "3000 Miles Away" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Star Fucking Hipsters - "Severance Pay" (MP3)

Stza of SFH, at Gramercy with Leftover Crack (more by Justina Villanueva)

Star Fucking Hipsters is a ska-punk/crust punk/Indie band that was started by Leftöver Crack's vocalist Stza and [then] drummer Brandon as a side project.. Unfortunately, Brandon died before the band was fully formed. However, Stza continued and... the band started playing shows in the New York City area early in August 2005.... Their debut album was released by Fat Wreck Chords on September 30, 2008, entitled "Until We're Dead". -[Wiki]

The NYC band will hit the road for a string of dates with Anti-Flag, Cancer Bats and Aiden as part of "The Economy Sucks, Let's Party" Tour. Look for that to hit NYC at Highline Ballroom on 2/4/10. Tickets are on sale. Prediction: bottle service and the Highline Ballroom kitchen will not do well that night. The tour hits Starland Ballroom one day later. Tickets are on sale for that too.

More info on the SFH album and all dates below...

Continue reading "Star Fucking Hipsters - new album (MP3), tour w/ Anti-Flag"

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Justina Villanueva

The Casualties

If it wasn't for Trash Talk, July 3rd's bill of The Casualties and Leftover Crack would have felt more at home at ABC No Rio or C-Squat - if they could contain it. But alas, Gramercy Theater (instead of Irving Plaza) held down the fort as the trio of bands bid adieu to a larger tour, saving the fireworks for NYC - literally and figuratively.

Trash Talk, who spent their July 4th at Woodsist Fest, is seemingly forever on the road and has scheduled an appearance at Sound & Fury. The band recently self-released their East of Eden 7" featuring Circle Jerk and punk legend, Keith Morris.

Next up for The Casualties, a tour with Krum Bums and Mouth Sewn Shut that kicks off in August followed by another quick jaunt with Off With Their Heads and Youth Brigade that includes a NYC date at Europa on Sept 29th. Tickets are on sale.

After Youth Brigade and Off With Their Heads play Europa, the bands have a Canadian Tour lined up with The Bouncing Souls (who are on their way to NYC with 7 Seconds). Youth Brigade is also scheduled to play the kick-ass Riot Fest.

Full Casualties and Youth Brigade tour dates, and more pictures from Gramercy Theatre, are below...

Continue reading "The Casualties, Trash Talk & Leftover Crack - Gramercy pics, 2009 tour dates (shows w/ Youth Brigade)"

the price of crack

Friday night's Leftover Crack gig at Irving Plaza has been moved to the smaller Gramercy Theatre and tickets are still on sale. Trash Talk is also on the bill.

Leftover Crack fan in Texas (more)

Leftover Crack, Star Fucking Hipsters, Trash Talk, and The Casualties are playing Irving Plaza on July 3rd. Assuming Irving Plaza doesn't get shut down (unlikely) (or even if it does), this punk show is sure to be a good time. Tickets are on sale.

Less of a good time will probably be had at the punk show happening at Madison Square Garden on July 27th. Tickets for Green Day's big NYC show are on sale (@ 10am). They are also playing a few shows at much smaller venues, and Saturday Night Live this weekend.

The opposite of a good time will probably be had at the same big venue on October 5th. The Ting Tings are playing MSG with Pink. Tickets are on presale (@ 10am). PASSWORD = LEAPFROG

Probably fun, but still kind of lame? Aerosmith and ZZ Top play MSG on September 14th. Tickets are on AmEx and Internet presale now, and go on general sale Monday, May 18th, at 10am. It's the same day Kings of Leon play Nassau Coliseum.

Back to good times... Ween are playing the Stone Pony's Summerstage in Asbury Park on July 18th. Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon. Gene Ween is playing Brooklyn on May 21st.

Same venue, same summer (move over Blondie, Pat Benatar and The Donnas): The Pretenders, Cat Power and Juliette (and the Licks) Lewis are playing the Stone Pony's Summerstage on August 9th. Tickets are currently on Ticket Rush presale (password = live), and they go on general sale Saturday at noon. The same three ladies (bands) have an August 22nd Colorado show scheduled, so let's home for a full tour with NYC date too.

Peter Frampton plays Stone Pony Summerstage on August 30th. Tickets are currently on Ticket Rush presale (password = live), and go on general sale Saturday at noon.

And don't forget Kylie Minogue tickets go on sale Saturday at 10am.

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

Every other band at Fun Fun Fun Fest over the weekend made it a point to give the fest's co-headliner Bad Brains a shout-out - a respect kind of thing. It makes sense. That's kind of what you do when you're sharing a bill with a band that helped paved the way for your own sound. That said, it was also really refreshing to hear one band take a slightly different approach. Leftover Crack's Stza also gave Bad Brains, or more specifically HR, lots of shout-outs. They were even positive shout-outs, but they were to call out HR's questionable politics/alleged-still homophobia. They were positive because they started with a speech about equality for all people, and were said in a way as to educate HR (if he was listening), AND Stza even announced his cell phone number in case HR wanted to give him a call. You can hear that last part in the first video below.

So, as pointed out, NYC's anarchist ska punk band Leftover Crack (who I had no idea were so popular because I honestly don't follow punk music that much) love everyone, EXCEPT, notoriously,...

...Oddly, the visit from detectives came just after cops arrested Leftover Crack lead singer Scott Sturgeon [also known as Stza Crack] on Friday for--no kidding--throwing donuts at the police during a demonstration outside the 9th Precinct in the East Village. Sturgeon says he was pissed off that the cops wouldn't let the band play their music at a reasonable volume.

In the complaint, Officer Richard Labore wrote that Sturgeon's antic "caused people to express alarm." Labore also wrote that Sturgeon was chanting "kill the police, kill the police."... [Village Voice, September 2008]

Continue reading "Leftover Crack calls out HR, police @ FFF Fest - pics & video "

Photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

If not obvious by the 2008 Fun Fun Fun Fest coverage so far, I was having the most fun (fun fun) over the weekend with all the punk, metal and hardcore on stages 3a and 3b (two connected stages to avoid long times between sets). Highlights and pictures from day one are HERE. Highlights of day two (9/9) were DOA, Frightened Rabbit, the ska punk, politics and crowd of Leftover Crack, Cro-Mags (jam) (John Joseph w/ one of Cro-Mags' past drummers, AJ from Leeway on guitar and Craig Setari of Sick of it All on bass), what I saw of St. Vincent and Black Angels, the vegan sausage pizza, and Bad Brains. I managed to catch a few songs of Islands who sounded great, but totally missed Spinto Band and Annuals. Also saw pieces of Kevin Seconds, Chuck Ragan, and Ben Nichols's solo-frontmen sets. Saw Black Joe Lewis and most of Trash Talk, but neither lived up to my expectations in the daytime festival setting. I went back and forth between the pre-headliner sets of Minus the Bear and Bouncing Souls, and ran over to watch one song of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah during a Bad Brains reggae segment. Despite the competition, CYHSY still pulled in a respectable sized crowd. The stages were far enough away in general, but I could also still hear Alec Ounsworth's unmistakable voice at times between Bad Brains songs depending on where I was standing (I watched Bad Brains from various areas throughout their set). Clipse were headlining on the stage farthest away from Bad Brains so I totally missed them, and Kool Keith, who played that same stage earlier. Bad Brains ended earlier than curfew which meant I got to run over and catch about 20 minutes of Tim and Eric which was a great way (laughing) to end the hectic two day fest.

One unfortunate aspect of the weekend was the dust. It was a problem at ACL this year too. Dry dirt and wind meant you were constantly breathing it in. A signifigant portion of the crowd was wearing bandanas or other gas mask-like things on their faces. I didn't, but I should have because I think it made me a little sick. More pictures from day two below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2008 - (some of) day two in photos "