Cro-mags

T

he Cro-Mags first came to light after settling on the membership of tattooed Hare Krishna follower Harley Flanegan (bass), along with John 'Bloodclot' Joseph (Real Name: John Joseph McGowan; vocals), Parris Mitchell Mayhew (guitar) and Mackie (Real Name: Maxwell Montgomery Jayson; drums). Flanegan would assume vocal duties when Joseph left soon after.

Eventually signing to the American 'Profile' label, they became a strong influence in the New York Hardcore scene. The Age Of Quarrel, their 1987 debut, eventually emerged. Like many of the bands in their style they frequently crossed over into the world of Metal, and in their case they did it more often as the decade wore on. By the time their follow-up Best Wishes (1989) was ready, they had changed labels to 'Roadrunner', and changed personnel with the addition of guitarist Doug Holland (ex-Kraut), while drummer Mackie departed shortly later to join Bad Brains.

Alpha Omega (1992) received notice, mostly for its sci-fi title. Two more albums, Near Death Experience (1994) and Hard Times In An Age Of Quarrel (1994), their only live effort, followed before they were dismantled in late 1994.

In 2000 the band reformation would result in the Before the Quarrel compilation (2000) and Revenge (2000) only to bust up again in 2003 and reform (again) in 2008. Twenty Years of Quarrel and Greatest Hits compilation in 2006.