The Third Degree

The Third Degree

The Third Degree is an acid jazz act associated with a rerecorded version of the track “Mercy” and with a self-titled CD EP and the album Concrete Warriors. The group also appears in connection with a Miami bass outfit whose members are Jude Hayes, Sassy L. and Super J.B.

Line-up and background

One version of the group is described as being made up of session musicians working with vocalist Jon Allen. Another account places the band in the Orange County, California punk and hardcore scene, with three active participants from that environment shaping its sound. That line-up has links to a long list of other acts, including Outspoken, Speak 714, Triceratops, Lost Generation, The Bastard Squad, Blackspot, Caste, The Suppression Swing, Collateral Damage, Chorus of Disapproval, The Piccolo Petes and Mike V. & The Rats.

Style and scene

The band is also linked to punk, hardcore, and a broad skateboarding culture, and is described as coming out of a scene with a substantial shared history. Its approach is presented as an original response within a genre environment that is often closely associated with established forms.

Releases and label connections

After a debut EP, The Third Degree records Concrete Warriors, which is released by Livewire Records in 2000. The group’s self-titled CD EP is released by Indecision Records, and Concrete Warriors also appears on Likewire Records.

Later activity

The Third Degree disbands in 2002, around the time guitarist Jason Hampton forms The Rats with professional skateboarder Mike Vallely.