CRACK ROCK STEADY
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 committed suicide. 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 theAlternative 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.
