Biography

The history of Harley Flanagan and his band, CRO-MAGS is integral, not just to the history of Hardcore, but modern metal, rock and punk itself. With roots that begin in the shadow of Warhol and the Velvets to CBGB’s hardcore matinees to Lamour Brooklyn thrash-a-thons all the way through current generations of punk and extreme metal, CRO-MAGS is the connective tissue. Ask the likes of Grohl, Green Day and Turnstile. CRO-MAGS stands side by side with Black Sabbath, Motorhead and Metallica as an influence and gamechanger. The brainchild of a 14-year-old Flanagan, in 1981, then playing drums with the Stimulators, by 1982/83 he recorded the primal CRO-MAGS demos consisting of 4 songs that would become the blueprint for the seminal 1986 Age of Quarrel. Initially a solo vision, Harley wrote and played all of the music. With Flanagan, guitarist Parris Mayhew, vocalist John Joseph McGowan and drummer Mackie Jayson, the genre-smashing Age of Quarrel demo was recorded in 1985. The album of the same name and songs was released in 1986 with Doug Holland, of Kraut filling out second guitar duties. Explosive on and offstage, CRO-MAGS has had a tumultuous history, to put it mildly. After several line-ups, 6 album releases (beyond the original demos) and 40+ years of touring around the world, CRO-MAGS remains one of the most iconic American hardcore and metal bands. Today, CRO-MAGS is led by Flanagan on bass and vocals, a position he’s held since Best Wishes (1989). Flanagan has been the only member of Cro-Mags to have been featured on every album since founding the band. Cro-Mags Albums: Age of Quarrel Demo (1985) Age of Quarrel (1986) Best Wishes (1989) Alpha Omega (1993) Near Death Experience (1994) Revenge (2000) In the Beginning (2020) EPs: Don’t Give In (2019) From the Grave (2019) 2020 (2020)