John Joseph (rock singer)
Encyclopedia
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 departed and rejoined the band sporadically. He sang on their demo and on their first, third, and fourth albums (The Age of Quarrel
, Alpha Omega
, and Near Death Experience
). He also sings lead on the Before the Quarrel CD, essentially a reissue of the demo.
Before, during, and after his time in the Cro-Mags, Joseph served as an occasional roadie for Bad Brains
on several tours, and he sang background vocals on Antidote's Thou Shalt Not Kill EP. He returned to the Cro-Mags briefly in the early to mid-1990s, but ongoing disputes with fellow band member Harley Flanagan
made the project unsustainable.
Joseph sometimes goes by the nickname
Bloodclot, as when performing with his band of the same name (styled with an exclamation point). He has also sung for the bands Mode of Ignorance, Both Worlds, and Fearless Vampire Killers. His autobiography, The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon, published in 2007, details the major events in his life, including his extensive involvement with the Hare Krishnas
, as well his experiences with the Cro-Mags
.
Interviews with Joseph were featured in the 2006 documentary American Hardcore
. He has also done some voice acting, playing the hippo in the cartoon Three Thug Mice.
Joseph is the author of the book "Meat is for Pussies," released in the Spring of 2010 on vegan nutrition
, training, and the healthy lifestyle.
Joseph is a vegan. He was a vegetarian prior to becoming vegan.
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...
, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
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...
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
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
hardcore punk
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...
band Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
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...
from 1984 until 1987, though he departed and rejoined the band sporadically. He sang on their demo and on their first, third, and fourth albums (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...
, Alpha Omega
Alpha Omega (album)
Alpha Omega is the third album by New York hardcore band, Cro-Mags. It was released in 1992 on Century Media Records...
, and Near Death Experience
Near 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...
). He also sings lead on the Before the Quarrel CD, essentially a reissue of the demo.
Before, during, and after his time in the Cro-Mags, Joseph served as an occasional roadie for Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad 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...
on several tours, and he sang background vocals on Antidote's Thou Shalt Not Kill EP. He returned to the Cro-Mags briefly in the early to mid-1990s, but ongoing disputes with fellow band member 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...
made the project unsustainable.
Joseph sometimes goes by the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
Bloodclot, as when performing with his band of the same name (styled with an exclamation point). He has also sung for the bands Mode of Ignorance, Both Worlds, and Fearless Vampire Killers. His autobiography, The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon, published in 2007, details the major events in his life, including his extensive involvement with the Hare Krishnas
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
, as well his experiences with the Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
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...
.
Interviews with Joseph were featured in the 2006 documentary American Hardcore
American Hardcore (film)
American Hardcore is a documentary directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush. It is based on the book American Hardcore: A Tribal History also written by Blush. It was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis...
. He has also done some voice acting, playing the hippo in the cartoon Three Thug Mice.
Joseph is the author of the book "Meat is for Pussies," released in the Spring of 2010 on vegan nutrition
Vegan nutrition
Vegan nutrition refers to the unique set of advantages and challenges that are part of vegan diets. The American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada regard the vegan diet as appropriate for all stages of the life-cycle, though they caution that poorly planned vegan diets can be deficient...
, training, and the healthy lifestyle.
Joseph is a vegan. He was a vegetarian prior to becoming vegan.
External links
- John Joseph's MySpace page (Official Bloodclot! MySpace page)
- PUNKHOuse Publishing
- Interview with Quarter-Life Crisis