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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->

| Name name = Lesser Of Two

| Img image = Lesser_of_two.jpg

| Img_capt caption = Lesser Of Two live

| Img_size =

| image_size =

| Landscape =

| Background background = group_or_band

| Origin origin = [[Fort Walton Beach, FLFlorida]], United States

| Genre genre = [[PunkHardcore rock|Punkpunk]], [[Thrash metal|thrash]], [[heavy metal music|metal]]

| Years_active years_active = 1989–2002

| Label label = [[D.I.Y.]], [[Nikt Nic Nie Wie]], Malarie, Terrorismo Sonora, Estajanovismo Records

| Associated_acts associated_acts = Ballast<br>[[Embers (band)|Embers]]<br>[[Look Back and Laugh]]<br>[[His Hero is Gone]]<br>[[Dystopia (band)|Dystopia]]<br>Myth of Progress<br>Preying Hands<br>Pleasant Valley<br>Ballast

| URL website = http://lesseroftwo.bandcamp.com<br>http://www.myspace.com/lesseroftwo<br>http://lesseroftwo.tripod.com/

| current_members =

| Current_members =

| Past_members past_members = Steven DeCaprio<br>Kelly Nelson<br>Moses Saarni<br>Dave Earles<br>Rob "Trans Am" Coleman<br>Joel "Buddy" Purdue<br>Isaac Grant<br>Stacey Storer<br>Ash Miller<br>James DieterichDiederich

}}

'''Lesser of Two''' was aan [[crust punk]],American [[crossover thrash]], [[screamo]] and/or [[hardcore punk]] band which began in Florida in 1989 and relocated to Oakland, California in 1997. Lesser of Two disbanded in 2003.

==History==

Steven DeCaprio came up with the name during a [[hallucination]] while [[skateboarding]] in a strip mall. He became transfixed on the two competing brands of soda dispensers sitting side by side next to the grocery store. In those two "choices" the [[False dilemma | false dichotomy]] inspired the name. In it choice, freedom, democracy, etc. were mere illusions used to fool the masses.

Ash Miller (second guitarist on Swing) told him that the name "Lesser of Two Evils" was too long. Soon after, DeCaprio was kicked out of the band because he was incompetent as a musician. He kept the name with a new band including Isaac Grant, Mike Shuman and Rob Coleman.

The volatility of line-ups became a hallmark of the band from then on. From 1989 until 2002 the band had 7seven bass players, 7seven drummers, 2two guitarists, 6and six vocalists. The only thing that didn'tdid not change was the band name.

In 1995 Nelson, DeCaprio's wife, officially joined the band and played bass until the end. They appear on all the recordings except the Swing 7" and a track on the Farmhouse 1994 Compilationcompilation album.

Over the years Lesser Of Two released 3three 7"ssingles, three albums, and were on a number of compilations. Lesser of Two toured extensively in the [[United States]] as well as [[Mexico]], [[Canada]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Italy]], [[Switzerland]], [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Spain]], [[Austria]], and [[Netherlands]]. They accomplished all this while maintaining a [[DIY ethic | Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) ethic]].<ref>MaximumRocknRoll issue #240/May ‘03{{Cite web|url=http://maximumrocknroll.com/back-issues/|title=MAXIMUM [[:File:MRR.LoT.Cover.jpg]]ROCKNROLL » Back Issues|date=5 [[September 2012|archive-url=https:File:MRR//web.LoTarchive.SceneR.jpg]][[org/web/20120905092014/http:File:MRR//maximumrocknroll.LoT.1.jpg]]com/back-issues/|accessdate=29 [[:File:MRR.LoT.2.jpg]]September [[:File:MRR.LoT.3.jpg]]2020|archive-date=2012-09-05}}</ref>

In 1999, Lesser of Two released a cassette tape version of their self-titled album on one of the oldest punk labels in Poland, [[Nikt Nic Nie Wie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nnnw.pl/releases.html |title=all releases so far |publisher=Nnnw.pl |date=2000-05-06 |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref>. They were featured in the Polish Magazine Pasazer #No.&nbsp;13-14 which included a compilation featuring a track from Lesser Of Two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/suburbanvoiceissue44_5ZineReviews.pdf |title=Powered by: Doteasy - Bannerless Free Web Hosting and Email for Small Business and Individual |publisher=Operationphoenixrecords.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-29}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pasazer.pl/ |title=Pasażer Records |publisher=Pasazer.pl |date= |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref>

Lesser Of Two also joined with seminal Polish punk band [[Post Regiment]] for a leg of their tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/12aullidos |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707205848/http://blogs.myspace.com/12aullidos |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-07 |title=MySpace-blog &#124; 12 AULLIDOS - Costa Sur Fiesta Violencia van 12 AULLIDOS |publisher=Blogs.myspace.com |accessdate=2010-05-29 }}</ref>

In 1999, Lesser of Two released a cassette tape version of their self-titled album on one of the oldest punk labels in Poland, [[Nikt Nic Nie Wie]]<ref>http://www.nnnw.pl/releases.html</ref>. They were featured in the Polish Magazine Pasazer #13-14 which included a compilation featuring a track from Lesser Of Two<ref>http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/suburbanvoiceissue44_5ZineReviews.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.pasazer.pl/</ref>

Lesser Of Two also joined with seminal Polish punk band [[Post Regiment]] for a leg of their tour.<ref>http://blogs.myspace.com/12aullidos</ref>

==Musical style==

Lesser Of Two's music had a crust punk sound without following any rules of the genre. The music was characterized by incredibly fast tempos giving way to slower heavier parts. The music was also accompanied with screaming vocals, crazy noise, and political lyrics with an emphasis on the negative aspects of human existence.<ref name="operationphoenixrecords1">{{cite web|url=http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/heartattackissue27-11MusicReviews.pdf |title=Powered by: Doteasy - Bannerless Free Web Hosting and Email for Small Business and Individual |publisher=Operationphoenixrecords.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-29}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

Lesser Of Two was given positive reviews by [[Maximumrocknroll]] magazine, [[Flipside (fanzine)| Flipside fanzine]],<ref>Flipside, August/September 1996 #No.&nbsp;103 [[:File:Flipside.LoT.review.JPG]]</ref>, [[Slug and Lettuce (fanzine) | Slug and Lettuce fanzine]], [[HeartattaCk]] magazine,<ref>http: name="operationphoenixrecords1"//www.operationphoenixrecords.com/heartattackissue09-6MusicReviews.pdf</ref><ref>[http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/heartattackissue27heartattackissue09-11MusicReviews6MusicReviews.pdf] {{dead link|date=September 2020}}</ref><ref>[http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/heartattackissue36-3Letters.pdf] {{dead link|date=September 2020}}</ref>, and many others for their albums and their performances.

==Notable concerts==

During the over decade Lesser Of Two was active they played many notable concerts.

* February 3, 1993 with [[Born Against]] Pensacola, FL<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sammcpheeters.com/music/ba-shows.htm |title=All Born Against Shows |publisher=Sammcpheeters.com |accessdate=2010-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303021226/http://www.sammcpheeters.com/music/ba-shows.htm |archivedate=2012-03-03 }}</ref>

* May 28, 1994 with [[Los Crudos]], [[Apocalypse Hoboken ]], and many more Hardcore Against Hunger at Scrap Skate Park: 2350 Hassel, Hoffman Estates<ref>{{cite web|url=http://petdance.com/csl/?940512 |title=The Chicago Shows List Archive: May 12, 1994 |publisher=Petdance.com |date=1994-05-12 |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref>

* December 20, 1995 with Right Turn Clyde at Oak Park House, Corpus Christi, TX<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rightturnclyde.biz/Shows.html |title=shows |publisher=rightturnclyde.biz |date=1999-08-12 |accessdate=2010-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120021732/http://www.rightturnclyde.biz/Shows.html |archivedate=2008-11-20 }}</ref>

* July 13, 1996 with [[Shades Apart]] , [[Dillinger Four]], at 924 Gilman, Berkeley, CA<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://jon.luini.com/thelist/archive/1996-06-28 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-01-31 |archive-date=2008-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027120513/http://jon.luini.com/thelist/archive/1996-06-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* July 30, 1996 with [[Los Crudos]], See In Red, Torches To Rome, and Palatka at the Fireside Bowl, Chicago, IL<ref>{{cite web|url=http://petdance.com/csl/?960725 |title=The Chicago Shows List Archive: July 25, 1996 |publisher=Petdance.com |date=1996-07-25 |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref>

* August 9, 1996 with Jesuit, [[Racetraitor]], Seein' Red, Torches to Rome, Palatka and more Greenville, NC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dumpoff.com/discussion/2374/greg-edge-photography-tour/?Focus=21080 |title=Greg Edge Photography Tour |publisher=Dumpoff |accessdate=2010-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815080101/http://dumpoff.com/discussion/2374/greg-edge-photography-tour/?Focus=21080 |archivedate=2011-08-15 }}</ref>

* June 20, 1998 with [[Cavity (band)|Cavity]] at Joe's house in San Jose, CA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yourmother.com/shows/older.php3 |title=YM Past Show Older |publisher=Yourmother.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref>

* July 26, 1998 with [[From Ashes Rise]] at [[Warm Water Cove]], San Francisco, CA

* October 15, 1999 with [[Post Regiment]] at the Rozbrat Squat's fifth year anniversary, Poznan, Poland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lesseroftwo.tripod.com/8.html |title=Lesser Of Two |publisher=Lesseroftwo.tripod.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref>

* November 13, 1999 with Brother Inferior at MKNZ in SlovenijaSlovenia

* December 25, 1999 with [[Sin Dios]] at Na Vera, Madrid, Spain

* July 7, 2001 with Fallas Del Sistema at Las Biaz, Guadalajara, Mexico<ref name="cwahi1">{{cite web|url=http://balln.cwahi.net/fallasdelsistema/giralot.html |title=Gira de Lesser of Two e Hydrophobia |publisher=Balln.cwahi.net |accessdate=2010-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723065218/http://balln.cwahi.net/fallasdelsistema/giralot.html |archivedate=July 23, 2011 }}</ref>

* July 27-3027–30, 2001 at the Collectivist Conference against Globalization in Hermosillo, Mexico<ref>http: name="cwahi1"//balln.cwahi.net/fallasdelsistema/giralot.html</ref>

* September 1, 2001 with [[Creation is Crucifixion]] Oakland,CA AK Press Warehouse Space<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.creationiscrucifixion.com/shows_2001.html |title=DoD - Welcome to Project DoD! |publisher=Creationiscrucifixion.com |accessdate=2010-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830180204/http://www.creationiscrucifixion.com/shows_2001.html |archivedate=2009-08-30 }}</ref>

* February 9, 2002 with [[Tragedy (band)|Tragedy]] at Casa Sangre, Oakland, CA<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atakra.com/archive9.htm |title=archive9.htm |publisher=Atakra.com |date=2002-02-14 |accessdate=2011-01-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120720180124/http://www.atakra.com/archive9.htm |archivedate=2012-07-20 }}</ref>

* June 22, 2002 with [[High on Fire]] and [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.darsombra.com/prevtour.html|title=Darsombra Tour History|website=Darsombra.com|accessdate=29 September 2020}}</ref>

* June 24, 2002 with Kakistocracy and [[Hiretsukan]] at clava haus in Asheville, NC<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.equivalents.org/sinaloa/?page_id=8 |title=sinaloa (is a state) » shows |publisher=Equivalents.org |accessdate=2010-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222135417/http://www.equivalents.org/sinaloa/?page_id=8 |archivedate=2008-12-22 }}</ref>

* June 26, 2002 with [[Uphill Battle]] at Uncle doctors, Columbia, SC

==CurrentOther projects==

*February 3, 1993 with [[Born Against]] Pensacola, FL<ref>http://www.sammcpheeters.com/music/ba-shows.htm</ref>

Currently DeCaprio and Nelson, who are the only members to play on all three albums, play in the band [[Embers (band)|Embers]] in Oakland. Former drummer, Moses Saarni, went on to play with Drain the Sky featuring members of [[His Hero is Gone]] and [[Dystopia (band)|Dystopia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blowthescene.com/interviews/drain-the-sky-interview.html|title=Drain the Sky Interview|website=Blowthescene.com|date=24 May 2011|accessdate=29 September 2020}}</ref> Other notable bands including former members of Lesser Of Two are Ballast, Preying Hands, Jehovah's Hitlist, Myth of Progress,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hcholocaust.com/servlet/the-19351/MYTH-OF-PROGRESS--dsh-/Detail |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125005001/http://www.hcholocaust.com/servlet/the-19351/MYTH-OF-PROGRESS--dsh-/Detail |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 25, 2013 |title=MYTH OF PROGRESS - Myth Of Progress LP at Hardcore Holocaust Records. HC Punk/Crust distro |website=Hcholocaust.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref> [[Look Back and Laugh]] and Pleasant Valley.

*May 28, 1994 with [[Los Crudos]], [[Apocalypse Hoboken ]], and many more Hardcore Against Hunger at Scrap Skate Park: 2350 Hassel, Hoffman Estates<ref>http://petdance.com/csl/?940512</ref>

*December 20, 1995 with Right Turn Clyde at Oak Park House, Corpus Christi, TX<ref>http://www.rightturnclyde.biz/Shows.html</ref>

*July 13, 1996 with [[Shades Apart]] , [[Dillinger Four]], at 924 Gilman, Berkeley, CA<ref>http://jon.luini.com/thelist/archive/1996-06-28</ref>

*July 30, 1996 with [[Los Crudos]], See In Red, Torches To Rome, and Palatka at the Fireside Bowl, Chicago, IL<ref>http://petdance.com/csl/?960725</ref>

*August 9, 1996 with Jesuit, [[Racetraitor]], Seein' Red, Torches to Rome, Palatka and more Greenville, NC<ref>http://dumpoff.com/discussion/2374/greg-edge-photography-tour/?Focus=21080</ref>

*June 20, 1998 with [[Cavity (band)|Cavity]] at Joe's house in San Jose, CA<ref>http://www.yourmother.com/shows/older.php3</ref>

*July 26, 1998 with [[From Ashes Rise]] at Warm Water Cove, San Francisco, CA

*October 15, 1999 with [[Post Regiment]] at the Rozbrat Squat's fifth year anniversary, Poznan, Poland.<ref>http://lesseroftwo.tripod.com/8.html</ref>

*November 13, 1999 with Brother Inferior at MKNZ in Slovenija

*December 25, 1999 with [[Sin Dios]] at Na Vera, Madrid, Spain

* July 7, 2001 with Fallas Del Sistema at Las Biaz, Gudalajara, Mexico<ref>http://balln.cwahi.net/fallasdelsistema/giralot.html</ref>

* July 27-30, 2001 at the Collectivist Conference against Globalization in Hermosillo, Mexico<ref>http://balln.cwahi.net/fallasdelsistema/giralot.html</ref>

*September 01, 2001 with [[Creation is Crucifixion]] Oakland,CA AK Press Warehouse Space<ref>http://www.creationiscrucifixion.com/shows_2001.html</ref>

*February 9, 2002 with [[Tragedy (band)| Tragedy]] at Casa Sangre, Oakland, CA<ref>http://www.atakra.com/archive9.htm</ref>

*June 24, 2002 with [[Kakistocracy (band) | Kakistocracy]] and [[Hiretsukan]] at clava haus in Asheville, NC<ref>http://www.equivalents.org/sinaloa/?page_id=8</ref>

*June 26, 2002 with [[Uphill Battle]] at Uncle doctors, Columbia, SC

==Current projects==

Currently DeCaprio and Nelson, who are the only members to play on all three albums, play in the band [[Embers (band)|Embers]] in Oakland. Other notable bands including former members of Lesser Of Two are Ballast, Preying Hands, Myth of Progress<ref>http://www.hcholocaust.com/servlet/the-19351/MYTH-OF-PROGRESS--dsh-/Detail</ref>, Look Back and Laugh and Pleasant Valley

==Discography==

* 1991: ''Swing '' 7" E.P. vinyl

* 1994: ''Journey'' Compilation on cassette tape

* 1994: ''Farmhouse '94'' Compilation on C.D. and 12" vinyl(Farmhouse Records)

* 1995: ''Man...kind'' 7" E.P. vinyl

* 1999: ''self titled'' album on C.D, 12" vinyl, and cassette tape [Nict Nic Nie Wie (Poland), Malarie Records (Czech Republic), Estajanovismo Records (Mexico)]

* 2000: ''Magazine Pasazer #No.&nbsp;13-14'' magazine with compilation C.D.

* 2000: ''Jedzenie zamiast polityki'' compilation cassette with proceeds supporting [[Food Not Bombs]] in Poland (Krzyk)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emancypunx.com/katalog/kasety.htm |title=Kasety |publisher=EmancyPunx |accessdate=2010-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522230100/http://emancypunx.com/katalog/kasety.htm |archivedate=2009-05-22 }}</ref><ref>http{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emancypunx.com%2Fkatalog%2Fkasety.htm |title=Google Translate |date= |accessdate=2010-05-29}}</ref>

* 2001: ''Transmutation'' 7" E.P. vinyl

* 2002: ''Transmutation'' discography album on C.D. (singles, and outtakes)

* 2002: ''War Circus'' album on C.D.

==References==

Line 78 ⟶ 77:

==External links==

* {{official website|http://lesseroftwo.tripod.com/}}

* [http://www.myspace.com/lesseroftwo Lesser of Two] on Myspace

[[Category:American screamo musical groups]]

[[Category:American thrash metal musical groups]]

[[Category:Anarcho-punk_groups]]