New York Hardcore legends LEEWAY have influenced many of their more prominent former club act colleagues but have found it more difficult to extricate themselves out of the New York Hardcore scene onto the global map. LEEWAY cut the critically acclaimed 'Enforcer' demo in 1985 but seemed to get left behind in the Hardcore explosion that took AGNOSTIC FRONT and the CRO-MAGS to the fore as the group were hit with a multitude of line-up changes that hindered LEEWAY's progress.

Amongst those who played in the group at varying times were one-time AGNOSTIC FRONT guitarist Gordon Ancis, CIRCUS OF POWER bassist Zowie and CRO-MAGS / BAD BRAINS drummer Mackie Jason.

The group actually recorded their debut album in 1987 whilst Zowie was still a member of the band. However, by the time they'd been picked up by Profile the bassist was a permanent member of CIRCUS OF POWER. Zowie was replaced by Eddie Cohen and drummer Tony Fontano by Jimmy 'Pokey' Mo, although for the second album, 'Desperate Measures', Cohen was out in favour of Jimmy Xanthos.

LEE WAY vocalist Eddie Sutton makes a guest appearance on the debut LUDICHRIST album. Novello, Cohen and Pokey joined the ex-CRO MAGS vocalist John Joseph fronted BOTH WORLDS in 1993. LEEWAY's A.J. Novello teamed up with CRO MAGS for their farewell Australian February 2003 dates. A DVD, 'Leeway's Last Laugh' comprising concert footage from Wetlands on Easter Sunday in 1999 and their New York gig at L'Amour in 2002, was set for January 2005 issue through Crash Music Inc.

2006 saw leading New Wave of American Heavy Metal band SHADOWS FALL covering a version of LEEWAY's ''Mark Of The Squealer'.