Cro-Mags
Encyclopedia
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk
turned crossover thrash
band from New York City
. The band, which had a strong cult following
, released many records, their first two considered the most influential. With a skinhead background, they were among the first bands to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal
and were associated with the birth of a tougher attitude within the hardcore scene in the late 1980s, related to the world of martial arts. John Joseph McGowan
and Harley Flanagan
are practitioners of boxing
and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
respectively.
with songs that would eventually find themselves on their debut album The Age Of Quarrel
(1986
). Singer John Joseph
subsequently parted ways with the band, leaving bass
player Harley Flanagan
to sing on the following Cro-Mags release, Best Wishes
(1989
), which had a more heavy metal-influenced sound. The next record Alpha Omega (1992
) saw the return of Joseph. According to guitarist and songwriter Parris Mitchell Mayhew, another guitarist - Rob Buckley wrote most of the album along with him, though neither of them are featured on it as the group broke up but reformed with previous members. This was followed by Near Death Experience (1993
), after which the group finally disbanded. However, the band had since reformed and continued touring some years later, and then in 2000
, they released Revenge, which marked a return to their early hardcore roots, featuring songs that were comparable to those on their first release, as well as some songs with a more melodic/punk rock feel. After the release of Revenge the band broke up once again, and the internal hostility amongst band members (mainly between Mayhew and Flanagan) has never been resolved. The Cro-Mags eventually reformed again and had since continued playing live sporadically.
In 2008 John Joseph started playing shows, including one at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, using the name Cro-Mags (jam). The band included drummer Mackie Jayson, Craig Setari of Sick of It All on bass, and AJ Novello of Leeway on guitar. According to John Joseph
, the Cro-Mags are planning to release a new album in 2011.
At various times in the 90s and 00s both Harley and John Joseph
simultaneously led 2 separate versions of the Cro-Mags with completely different line-ups. These groups billed themselves as "Cro-Mag Jam", "Cro-Mags-NYC", "Age of Quarrel", "Fearless Vampire Killers", "Cholo Mags NY" or "Cro-Mags" (whether or not the name was owned legally by the certain version of the band in question). Sometimes only one original member would be present, sometimes two or three, and sometimes even both John Joseph
and Harley
together. The five members that played on the recording of "The Age of Quarrel
" are generally considered to be the "classic line-up", or "original members", but the truth is that membership in the Cro-Mags was frequently fluctuating from the very start.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
turned crossover thrash
Crossover thrash
__FORCETOC__Crossover thrash, often abbreviated to crossover, is a form of thrash metal that contains more hardcore punk elements than standard thrash. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock...
band from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The band, which had a strong cult following
Cult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of pop culture. A film, book, band, or video game, among other things, will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base...
, released many records, their first two considered the most influential. With a skinhead background, they were among the first bands to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
and were associated with the birth of a tougher attitude within the hardcore scene in the late 1980s, related to the world of martial arts. John Joseph McGowan
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
and Harley Flanagan
Harley Flanagan
Harley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
are practitioners of boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
respectively.
History
They first released a demoDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
with songs that would eventually find themselves on their debut album The Age Of Quarrel
The Age Of Quarrel
The Age of Quarrel is the first album from the New York hardcore band Cro-Mags. It was released on Profile Records in 1986 and subsequently re-released by Another Planet in 1994, along with their second album, 1989's Best Wishes, on the same disc...
(1986
1986 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-January-June:*January 23 – The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...
). Singer John Joseph
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
subsequently parted ways with the band, leaving bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player Harley Flanagan
Harley Flanagan
Harley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
to sing on the following Cro-Mags release, Best Wishes
Best Wishes
Best Wishes is the second album by New York hardcore band, Cro-Mags. It was released in 1989 on Profile Records and was subsequently re-released on Another Planet – along with their debut album, The Age Of Quarrel, on the same disc....
(1989
1989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
), which had a more heavy metal-influenced sound. The next record Alpha Omega (1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
) saw the return of Joseph. According to guitarist and songwriter Parris Mitchell Mayhew, another guitarist - Rob Buckley wrote most of the album along with him, though neither of them are featured on it as the group broke up but reformed with previous members. This was followed by Near Death Experience (1993
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
), after which the group finally disbanded. However, the band had since reformed and continued touring some years later, and then in 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
, they released Revenge, which marked a return to their early hardcore roots, featuring songs that were comparable to those on their first release, as well as some songs with a more melodic/punk rock feel. After the release of Revenge the band broke up once again, and the internal hostility amongst band members (mainly between Mayhew and Flanagan) has never been resolved. The Cro-Mags eventually reformed again and had since continued playing live sporadically.
In 2008 John Joseph started playing shows, including one at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, using the name Cro-Mags (jam). The band included drummer Mackie Jayson, Craig Setari of Sick of It All on bass, and AJ Novello of Leeway on guitar. According to John Joseph
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
, the Cro-Mags are planning to release a new album in 2011.
Albums
- The Age of QuarrelThe Age Of QuarrelThe Age of Quarrel is the first album from the New York hardcore band Cro-Mags. It was released on Profile Records in 1986 and subsequently re-released by Another Planet in 1994, along with their second album, 1989's Best Wishes, on the same disc...
(1986) - Best WishesBest WishesBest Wishes is the second album by New York hardcore band, Cro-Mags. It was released in 1989 on Profile Records and was subsequently re-released on Another Planet – along with their debut album, The Age Of Quarrel, on the same disc....
(1989) - Alpha OmegaAlpha Omega (album)Alpha Omega is the third album by New York hardcore band, Cro-Mags. It was released in 1992 on Century Media Records...
(1992) - Near Death ExperienceNear Death Experience (Cro-Mags album)Near Death Experience is the fourth album by New York hardcore band, Cro-Mags. It was released in 1993 on Century Media Records. It is, to date, the last album to feature vocalist John Joseph...
(1993) - RevengeRevenge (Cro-Mags album)Revenge is the fifth and most recent studio album by New York hardcore band, Cro-Mags. It was released in 2000 on their own label Cro-Mag Recordings...
(2000)
Current members
- John Joseph McGowanJohn Joseph (rock singer)John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
– vocals (1981, 1984–1987, 1991–1999, 2002–present) - A.J. Novello – guitars (2002–present)
- Craig Setari – bass (2008–present)
- Maxwell Mackie Jayson – drums (1984–1986, 1996–1999, 2008–present)
Former members
- Eric J. Casanova – vocals (1982–1984)
- Harley FlanaganHarley FlanaganHarley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
– vocals, bass (1981–1993, 1999–2002) - John Berry – vocals (1981)
- Dave Stein – guitars (1981)
- Kevin "Parris" Mitchel Mayhew – guitars (1982–1991, 1999–2001)
- Doug Holland – guitars (1985–1989, 1991–1993, 1996–1999, 2001)
- Rob Buckley – guitars (1989–1991, 1993–1995, 2001)
- Gabby Abularach – guitars (1991–1995)
- Scott Roberts – guitars (1996–1999)
- Rocky GeorgeRocky GeorgeRocky George is an American heavy metal guitarist who has been a member of several notable musical acts. George's guitar playing career began in 1982 when he joined a local punk rock band called Pap Smear. He became lead guitarist of Suicidal Tendencies in 1984 and stayed with the band until their...
– guitars (1999–2001, 2002–2003) - Craig Setari – bass (1996–1999)
- Franklin RhiFranklin RhiFranklin Rhi is a bassist from the New York Hardcore scene. He has played in some of the most influential bands from the genre. He is best known for his time in Shelter. Prior to this he was in Crown of Thornz and 108. Sometime in the late 90's he relocated to Los Angeles and joined forces with...
– bass (2002–2003) - Dave Hahn – drums (1981)
- Petey Hines – drums (1986–1989)
- Dave DiCenso – drums (1989–1995)
- Ryan Krieger – drums (1999–2001)
- Gary "G-Man" Sullivan – drums (2002–2003)
- Leo – drums (year?)
- Harley Mckaye - bass (2009–2010)
- Ann Hao Dinh - drums (1987–2003)
At various times in the 90s and 00s both Harley and John Joseph
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
simultaneously led 2 separate versions of the Cro-Mags with completely different line-ups. These groups billed themselves as "Cro-Mag Jam", "Cro-Mags-NYC", "Age of Quarrel", "Fearless Vampire Killers", "Cholo Mags NY" or "Cro-Mags" (whether or not the name was owned legally by the certain version of the band in question). Sometimes only one original member would be present, sometimes two or three, and sometimes even both John Joseph
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
and Harley
Harley
-Fictional characters:* Harley Quinn, a fictional character in DC Comics Batman franchise* Harley Cooper, a fictional character on the popular CBS daytime soap opera, Guiding Light...
together. The five members that played on the recording of "The Age of Quarrel
The Age Of Quarrel
The Age of Quarrel is the first album from the New York hardcore band Cro-Mags. It was released on Profile Records in 1986 and subsequently re-released by Another Planet in 1994, along with their second album, 1989's Best Wishes, on the same disc...
" are generally considered to be the "classic line-up", or "original members", but the truth is that membership in the Cro-Mags was frequently fluctuating from the very start.
Related bands
- Alloy – Petey Hines
- Antidote – John doing back-ups vocals on "Real Deal" of the 7" EP Thou Shalt Not Kill (1983)
- Bad BrainsBad BrainsBad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
– Mackie Jayson, John Joseph McGowan (few live shows in 2006) - Bloodclot! – John Joseph
- Both Worlds – John Joseph McGowan
- F.V.K. or Fearless Vampire Killers with John Joseph on vocals
- Front Line – Mackie Jayson
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– Petey Hines - Harley's War – Harley Flanagan
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– Mackie Jayson - Sick Of It All Sick of It AllSick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
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– Doug Holland - M.O.I – John Joseph, Harley Flanagan, Nunzio
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– Harley Flanagan, Petey Hines - Samsara (U.S. band) – Harley Flanagan, Parris Mayhew
- The Stimulators – Harley Flanagan
- Urban Blight – Mackie Jayson
- White DevilWhite devilWhite devil or white demon may refer to:* The White Devil, a 1612 tragedy by John Webster* White Devils, a 2004 novel by Paul J. McAuley* Black God, White Devil, a 1964 film from Brazil...
– Harley Flanagan, Parris Mayhew - LeewayLeewayLeeway is the motion of an object that is floating in the water to leeward due to the component of the wind vector perpendicular to the object’s. The National Search and Rescue Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual defines leeway as "the movement of a...
- Pokey Mo, A.J. Novello