Stza
Encyclopedia
Scott Sturgeon, also known as Stza Crack (icon ; born March 4, 1976), is a musician who has fronted several ska-punk bands
in the New York City
area, the best known being Choking Victim
and Leftöver Crack
. The stage name Stza is a tribute to the Wu-Tang Clan
, in which the members would take their stage names from the Supreme Alphabet of the Five Percent Nation, such as GZA (God ZigZagZig Allah) and RZA (Ruler ZigZagZig Allah).
. As a teenager, he dropped out of high school, ran away from home and began riding freight trains. Since the age of 16, Stza has been arrested several times, mainly for shoplifting. In 1990, Stza and a friend of his, Alec Baillie
, formed No Commercial Value, which later evolved into Choking Victim
and then again into Leftöver Crack
. Although many members of these bands have come and gone, Stza remained a constant figure, writing the vast majority of the lyrics and music and becoming the bands' self-appointed spokesperson. Stza played live in Choking Victim, the original incarnation of Leftöver Crack. Stza is also associated with the band Morning Glory through Leftover Crack member, Ezra Kire
. In 2005, he collaborated with Mischief Brew
on a song for their first full-length album, Smash The Windows
.
In 2005, he played solo (doing acoustic shows) and in a new band, Crack Rock Steady Seven, featuring members of The Infested in Europe
. 2006 saw him in Mexico City
forming yet another regional Crack Rocksteady Seven, the CRS7mx featuring members of Niño Zombi. In the fall of 2006 he returned to the United States and toured with Leftöver Crack, their tour with Citizen Fish
was dubbed Cracktoberfest 2006. Most recently Stza has been involved in the creation of yet another punk/ska band, this time with members of Casa de Chihuahua, The Slackers, and The Degenerics (Nico do Gaillo, Ara Babajian and Frank Piegaro respectively) called "Star Fucking Hipsters
". Star Fucking Hipsters' debut album was released September 30, 2008 on the Fat Wreck Chords
label. They now have another album out, titled "Never Rest In Peace". It was released on October 20, 2009 on the Alternative Tentacles
label. Their new album, titled "From the Dumpster to the Grave" was released on October 11th, 2011 on Fat Wreck Chords during a record release show at Europa in Brooklyn, New York..
Stza, along with other members of Leftöver Crack
, has at times resided at 155 Avenue C
, better known as C-Squat
.
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
area, the best known being Choking Victim
Choking Victim
Choking Victim was a United States punk rock band formed in New York City, which were together from 1992 to 1999. Playing a mix of hardcore punk and ska with anarchist lyrics...
and Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack is an American punk rock band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk band Choking Victim. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska and hardcore punk, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords for CD releases, and...
. The stage name Stza is a tribute to the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
, in which the members would take their stage names from the Supreme Alphabet of the Five Percent Nation, such as GZA (God ZigZagZig Allah) and RZA (Ruler ZigZagZig Allah).
Biography
Stza was raised in New York by his mother, who he classified as an "over-protective Jewish mom". He rarely saw his biological father, and his stepfather died after committing suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. As a teenager, he dropped out of high school, ran away from home and began riding freight trains. Since the age of 16, Stza has been arrested several times, mainly for shoplifting. In 1990, Stza and a friend of his, Alec Baillie
Alec Baillie
Alec Baillie is an American bassist currently residing in Sacramento, California. Alec grew up in Manhattan and attended the same high school as future band mate Scott "Stza" Sturgeon. In the early nineties, Baillie, Dunia Best, Jay Nugent and Ara Babajian formed the third wave ska band, Agent 99...
, formed No Commercial Value, which later evolved into Choking Victim
Choking Victim
Choking Victim was a United States punk rock band formed in New York City, which were together from 1992 to 1999. Playing a mix of hardcore punk and ska with anarchist lyrics...
and then again into Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack is an American punk rock band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk band Choking Victim. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska and hardcore punk, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords for CD releases, and...
. Although many members of these bands have come and gone, Stza remained a constant figure, writing the vast majority of the lyrics and music and becoming the bands' self-appointed spokesperson. Stza played live in Choking Victim, the original incarnation of Leftöver Crack. Stza is also associated with the band Morning Glory through Leftover Crack member, Ezra Kire
Ezra Kire
Ezra Kire is an American singer/songwriter. He resides New York City where he sings and plays guitar and piano in the punk band Morning Glory, and punk/ska band Leftover Crack. In the late 90s/early 2000's he was lead guitarist in now defunct political punk/ska band Choking Victim...
. In 2005, he collaborated with Mischief Brew
Mischief Brew
Mischief Brew is a band from Philadelphia which plays DIY anarcho-punk music, also incorporating a variety of styles including American folk, swing, Gypsy-punk and country. It was started by Erik Petersen as a solo project, but eventually grew into a band...
on a song for their first full-length album, Smash The Windows
Smash The Windows
Smash The Windows is the first full-length album from the DIY folk punk band Mischief Brew. The album was released in 2005 by Fistolo Records , and in 2006 by Gunner Records . It was recorded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY at Vibromonk Studios by Tamir Muskat and Danny Shatzky, December...
.
In 2005, he played solo (doing acoustic shows) and in a new band, Crack Rock Steady Seven, featuring members of The Infested in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. 2006 saw him in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
forming yet another regional Crack Rocksteady Seven, the CRS7mx featuring members of Niño Zombi. In the fall of 2006 he returned to the United States and toured with Leftöver Crack, their tour with Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish is a ska punk band that has been together since 1990. The band often makes strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning the status quo, and encouraging people to get along with one another...
was dubbed Cracktoberfest 2006. Most recently Stza has been involved in the creation of yet another punk/ska band, this time with members of Casa de Chihuahua, The Slackers, and The Degenerics (Nico do Gaillo, Ara Babajian and Frank Piegaro respectively) called "Star Fucking Hipsters
Star Fucking Hipsters
Star Fucking Hipsters is a punk rock band from New York City who have released albums on Fat Wreck Chords and Alternative Tentacles records. They have been called a "punk supergroup" and feature members from numerous notable bands including Leftöver Crack, Ensign, and The Ergs!-Initial formation...
". Star Fucking Hipsters' debut album was released September 30, 2008 on the Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
label. They now have another album out, titled "Never Rest In Peace". It was released on October 20, 2009 on the Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
label. Their new album, titled "From the Dumpster to the Grave" was released on October 11th, 2011 on Fat Wreck Chords during a record release show at Europa in Brooklyn, New York..
Stza, along with other members of Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack is an American punk rock band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk band Choking Victim. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska and hardcore punk, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords for CD releases, and...
, has at times resided at 155 Avenue C
Avenue C
thumb|right|225px|Avenue C was designated [[Loisaida]] Avenue in recognition of Puerto Rican heritage of the neighborhoodAvenue C is a street in the Alphabet City neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The street is also known as Loisaida Avenue, and it bears that official...
, better known as C-Squat
C-Squat
C Squat is a squat located at 155 Avenue C in the East Village of Manhattan, New York City, in an area called Loisaida.-History:Journalist and author Robert Neuwirth described the situation that gave birth to many of New York's squats, including C Squat, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, "In the...
.