The Young And The Useless

The Young and the Useless is best known for their sought after Real Men Don't Floss e.p. which was put out on Dave Parsons' Ratcage Records label back in late 1982. The group original featured Adam Horovitz, Adam Trese, Arthur Africano, and David Scilken who all rehearsed in Abby Stoddard's basement. The best known member of the group is Adam "Adrock" Horovitz, who went on to join the Beastie Boys in December 1983 when he filled the vacancy created by the absence of guitarist John Berry. At this point, Adam Horovitz was concurrently playing in both groups. Yet, following the unexpected success of the Cooky Puss album, the Beastie Boys began playing more shows thus drawing Horovitz’s time away from the Young and the Useless. Sadly, by late 1984 the Young and the Useless had slowly fallen apart. On October 28th, 1984 they played what was perhaps their last gig at CBGB’s club in New York City, NY. In about 18 months time, the Young and the Useless had gone from being regulars at CBGB's to performing only on rare occasion. Dave Parsons, who put out the Young and the Useless’ only known recordings on his Ratcage Records label, fondly remembers the young punks as his favorite New York Hardcore or better said “art-core” band. “They had the potential to be larger than the Beastie Boys. I can recall people calling from California wanting to book the Young and Useless and all of a sudden they didn’t exist anymore. Just look at the cover of their Real Men Don’t Floss EP, they would have been the biggest punk band from New York. They were way ahead of the pack. So young! Everybody wanted to see them. Dave Scilken had great ideas and was such a clever kid. He was way hip and had a different take on everything. Scilken had been hanging with us since the 171A days. He even had a fanzine, but I forget what it was called (Editor's note: it was called Blister). I had never met or saw Adam Horovitz prior to Scilken bringing him into the store. Following the period after which Scilken gave me the Young and the Useless tape, Horovitz began coming into the (Ratcage Records) store and I remember that he would run down to the 2nd Ave Deli to pick up the fries with gravy every morning.” Sadly David Scilken died in 1991. The Beastie Boys 1992 album Check Your Head is dedicated to him. As for Arthur Africano and Adam Trese, they both went on to work in the entertainment business as well. Arthur Africano has worked as a cameraman on a number of well-known television shows and movies. Not to mention that Arthur helped film both the “Intergalactic” video for the Beasties Boys, as well as the “Buddy” BS2000 music video. His credits include television shows Picket Fences and The Practice. Aside from playing on the Real Men Don't Floss e.p., Adam Trese is best known for his work as an actor. His acting credits include everything from independent films like Laws of Gravity (1992) to the very popular 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002). Former band mate Adam Horovitz may have acted in an episode of The Equalizer, but Trese has him beat hands down with appearances in the television shows such as Murder, She Wrote, Law & Order, New York Undercover, and NYPD Blue.