Editing Leftöver Crack (section)

== History ==
=== 1998-2000: Beginnings ===
Formed around the same time as the breakup of [[Choking Victim]], Leftöver Crack was initially an outlet for Choking Victim frontman [[Stza|Scott Sturgeon a.k.a. Stza]] to release songs that, for one reason or another, were never recorded by Choking Victim and which he claims are the "Leftover songs"—hence the name. For almost two years following the band's formation, the band consisted almost solely of Stza, who recorded many of the songs that would feature on later releases onto a four-track recorder whilst searching for band members. The band eventually solidified (albeit temporarily) around a lineup of Scott "Stza" Sturgeon (vocals, additional guitars), [[Brad Logan]] of [[F-Minus]] (guitar), [[Alec Baillie]] (bass, previously of Choking Victim), Mike Trujillo of Blindsided (guitar) and Amery "AWOL" Smith (drums, previously of [[Suicidal Tendencies]] and the [[Beastie Boys]]).

Now a complete band, Leftöver Crack proceeded to record several songs with the full lineup, including "Rock the 40 Oz.", "Crack City Rockers" and "The Good, the Bad & the Leftöver Crack"—effectively the band's "theme song". Five of these songs were later included on the band's first release, ''Rock the 40 Oz.'' 7-inch EP, which was released by Bankshot! Records on March 8, 2000.

=== 2001: Signing to Hellcat Records ===
After contributing the song "Crack City Rockers" to the second installment of [[Hellcat Records]]' ''Give 'em the Boot'' compilation series, the band was signed to the label, initially being contracted to produce three albums for Hellcat. The band agreed, and promptly began recording songs for their first full-length album, tentatively titled ''Shoot the Kids at School''.

Hellcat Records refused to release the album, due to concerns over the album's controversial title, artwork, and subject matter (especially regarding the recent [[Columbine shootings]]). The band eventually relented and changed the album's title, art, and track listing, under the promise that they would be released from their contract afterward as a result. The album was eventually released under the title of ''[[Mediocre Generica]]'', a sly attack at Hellcat Records, who Stza claimed wanted a "mediocre, generic" album compared the original. The album was released on September 11, 2001.

At this point, the band now consisted of Stza (vocals, additional guitars), Alec (bass), [[Ezra]], and [[Ara Babajian]] from NYC [[ska]] band Agent 99, and later [[The Slackers]], on drums.

=== 2002-2003: Split from Hellcat Records and new music ===
As a result of legal disputes with Hellcat Records, the band was effectively left in limbo for approximately two years, unable to leave their current label, yet also unable to sign to another—as well as being unable to release any new material under the name of Leftöver Crack. However, the band did manage to bend the rules of their contract slightly, releasing a split EP with [[F-Minus]] as the Crack Rock Steady Seven—effectively Leftöver Crack working under aliases with additional musicians. The EP was titled ''Baby Jesus, Sliced up in the Manger'' and was released on November 27, 2003.

In February 2003, the band began to record the songs that they had written and developed over the last three years with esteemed engineer [[Steve Albini]], a majority of which would see a release on their second album. After recording two final songs that winter, and having finally been dropped from Hellcat Records' roster, the band opted to release the song the following the year as the ''Fuck World Trade'' demo for the consideration of independent punk record labels. Around the same time, the band were approached by renowned underground punk rock figure and ex-[[Dead Kennedys]] frontman [[Jello Biafra]], and consequently signed to his [[Alternative Tentacles]] record label.

=== 2004-2006: ''Fuck World Trade'' and hiatus ===
On August 30, 2004, Leftöver Crack released their second album, ''[[Fuck World Trade]]'', on Alternative Tentacles (Household Name Records in the UK).

The album was banned in multiple chain stores such as [[Wal-Mart]], [[Best Buy]] and [[Music Land]] due to the album's controversial name and subject matter—as well as the front cover, which features [[George W. Bush]], [[Dick Cheney]], and [[Rudy Giuliani]] ([[Tony Blair]] on the UK release) causing the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] attacks.

The album also displayed a greater degree of artistic freedom from the band, featuring longer songs, a wider range of instrumentation (such as strings, synthesizers and double-bass drumming) and a larger amount of genre experimentation—featuring elements of [[death metal]], [[classical music]] and [[folk music]] along with the band's trademark combination of [[anarcho-punk]] and ska. The album also included several guest appearances, including [[Chris Head (musician)|Chris Head]], [[Justin Sane]], and Chris No. 2 of [[Anti-Flag]], as well as a collaboration with [[The World/Inferno Friendship Society]].

The band took an indefinite hiatus after the death of drummer Brandon Possible at the end of 2004. Stza spent the interim playing Leftöver Crack and Choking Victims songs by himself at a few solo acoustic shows. [[Ezra Kire|Ezra]] spent time writing songs for his band [[Morning Glory (band)|Morning Glory]]. Leftöver Crack began touring again in the summer of 2005, including some dates with [[Citizen Fish]] and [[The World/Inferno Friendship Society]], as well as playing dates in October 2005 in California after the Wasted Fest was canceled. The so-called Crack Rock Steady Seven 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".

=== 2006-2007: Return and split with Citizen Fish ===
Blacknoise Records released a four-way split entitled ''The Kids Are Gonna Pay...'' in March 2006 with Leftöver Crack contributing 1 new song, "Look Who's Talking Now". Other bands on the split included Morning Glory, [[F-Minus]], and Bent Outta Shape. The 7-inch was limited to 1000 copies on white vinyl and is now sold out. The first 100 included limited-edition patches designed by [[Brad Logan]]'s wife Kristen, and some included an insert.

On October 31, 2006, [[Fat Wreck Chords]] released a 7-inch split single with [[UK]] [[ska punk]] band [[Citizen Fish]], to which Leftöver Crack contributed the new song "Baby Punchers". To support the release, the two bands joined with other Fat Wreck bands, [[The Sainte Catherines]] and [[Dead to Me (band)|Dead to Me]], and went on a U.S. tour. The full-length split with Citizen Fish, entitled ''Deadline'', was released on March 6, 2007, with Fat Wreck Chords releasing the CD version and Alternative Tentacles releasing the vinyl version. The album featured seven songs from each band (plus an intro for Leftöver Crack's side), as well as featuring three songs originally intended to be released by Stza's newer band, [[Star Fucking Hipsters]]. 1103 copies were released on white vinyl.

=== 2007-2011: Departure of Ezra and tour of Australia ===
Following the release and subsequent touring in support of ''Deadline'', Leftöver Crack gradually became less prominent as members (namely Stza and Ezra) focused on other musical projects—such as Star Fucking Hipsters and Morning Glory, respectively. Although still regularly playing shows, the band effectively took a backseat, especially as Star Fucking Hipsters released their first two albums, ''[[Until We're Dead]]'' and ''[[Never Rest in Peace]]''.

Towards the end of 2009, it was announced that longtime guitarist and backing vocalist Ezra had left the band. Although initially appearing to be an amicable departure, this later escalated when Stza effectively began an online "feud" with Ezra, accusing him of being a liar and drug addict.

In November 2009, Leftöver Crack toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in their career. However, the lineup for all of the shows consisted of Stza, guitarist Frank Piegaro (of Star Fucking Hipsters/Degenerics) and two Australians filling in: Alex Flamsteed (Hereafter) and Chris Cox (Phalanx).

Following the Australian tour, Stza stated at a house show in [[West Auckland, New Zealand|West Auckland]] that Leftöver Crack would most probably be inactive in the future, much like Choking Victim before them. This coincided with the increased rate of activity from Star Fucking Hipsters, which has become his main creative outlet as of late.

In December 2010, Leftöver Crack announced that they were playing three shows. Returning to the lineup was Ezra, implying that the feud between him and Stza may have been resolved.

In January 2011, it was announced through their Facebook page that Leftöver Crack would do a West Coast tour in February and an East Coast tour in March of that year. They would also play a small UK tour in August 2011, including the Reading and Leeds festivals.

=== 2015-2016: ''Constructs of the State'' ===

On July 20, 2015, Scott Sturgeon confirmed Leftöver Crack had finished their third album, ''[[Constructs of the State]]''. It was released on November 27, 2015, through [[Fat Wreck Chords]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/936 |title = Constructs of the State|website=Fatwreck.com|access-date=March 28, 2020}}</ref> and featured guest appearances from [[Days N' Daze]], [[Mischief Brew]], [[The Bouncing Souls]], [[Intro5pect]], [[Blackbird Raum]], [[Penny Rimbaud]] and [[Jesse Michaels]].

On May 25, 2016, the band released a music video for the song "Bedbugs & Beyond" courtesy of Shibby Pictures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leftover Crack – Bedbuds & Beyond |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_K5FwDDscE |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=May 25, 2016}}</ref>

=== 2021: Change of record label, move to Tankcrimes ===
It was announced in September 2021 that all [[Star Fucking Hipsters]] and Leftöver Crack discography would move from [[Fat Wreck]] to [[Oakland]]-based record label [[Tankcrimes]].<ref>{{cite web |date=September 13, 2021 |title=Leftover Crack sign to Tankcrimes {{!}} Punknews.org |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/75530/leftover-crack-sign-to-tankcrimes}}</ref> Tankcrimes is a small independent label with bands such as [[Spazz (band)|Spazz]], [[Ghoul]], Necrot, and punk supergroup Kicker<!-- https://www.discogs.com/artist/2198152-Kicker-2 -->. It is unclear if ''[[Never Rest in Peace]]'' from [[Star Fucking Hipsters]] (which was originally released via [[Alternative Tentacles]]) or ''[[Mediocre Generica]]'' (originally released on [[Hellcat Records|Hellcat]]) would also shift to the Oakland-based record label

=== 2024: ''Abandon The Precincts'' ===
On March 6, 2024, the band released "Shootacide" and announced the release of a new album titled ''Abandon The Precincts'', as well as an upcoming tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Punknews.org |date=2024-03-06 |title=Leftover Crack release new song "Shootacide," will release new album and tour |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/82246/leftover-crack-release-new-song-shootacide-will-release-new-album-and-tour |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=www.punknews.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2025 ===
On March 10, 2025, the band announced their official signing to SBÄM Records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Punknews.org |date=2025-03-24 |title=Leftover Crack details new reissues |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/85169/leftover-crack-details-new-reissues |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=www.punknews.org |language=en}}</ref> The band is currently recording new music & will be reissuing all of their previous albums, with the exception of their debut LP, "Medicore Generica” (Hellcat/Epitaph).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Things To Do in Fort Collins CO - Fort Collins Coloradoan |url=https://www.coloradoan.com/things-to-do/events/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event/860153s-left-ver-crack-with-la-pobreska-guacamole-lightswitch |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=www.coloradoan.com |language=en}}</ref>