The Cro-Mags are probably one of the most hated and loved rock bands in the world. Starting out in 1981 with founding members Harley Flanagan and Parris Mayhew, together these two made up the songwriting team and foundation of the band, which was later joined by Mackie Jayson and John Joseph.
The began to play shows in different clubs in their neighborhood and put a demo together, constantly becoming more popular and acquiring more and more fans. For the hardcore kids the name Cro-Mags meant true and aggressive music from the heart; no silly lyrics about love and satanic subjects, but rather songs of real anger and frustration. The Cro-Mags was and is a band for the kids on the streets and every song is a sing-along for the true fans. For diehards they remain the best hardcore band that ever excisted.
In the roughest neighborhoods in New York aggression is the same as eating and drinking. Guys who live there can either go to jail or sing their hearts out in a punk or hardcore band. Kids like Harley Flanagan, Parris Mayhew, John Joseph, Mackie and Doug Holland knew eachother in the underground. They drank and fought with eachother and went to the same hardcore shows in places like CBGB's. Harley was from the streets and the youngest kid ever to play in a punk band- The Stimulators. Doug Holland was also well known in the scene having played in the amazing punk band Kraut. Parris had a hardcore background and singer "Bloodclot" John Joseph was known for shouting out all his frustrations on stage, and drummer Mackie was already considered one of the best drummers in the scene. Their music couldn't be anything else but the heaviest and most honest street music there ever was.
In 1986 the Cro-Mags signed a contract with record company Profile and released the by now classic hardcore album "The Age Of Quarrel". This album remains one of the best, if not the best, hardcore album ever. But the band was made up of musicians and not businessmen and soon singer John Joseph and Mackie joined the Bad Brains. After a few hard years, during which Harley and Parris refused to give up, they, together with Doug Holland and the new drummer Pete Hines, went into the studio and came out with the album "Best Wishes". Flanagan proved not only to be a good bass-player, but also to be a good singer. Although this album was the most important album bonding metal and hardcore together, and despite the facts the album received good reviews, the whole music maffia turned their backs on the Cro-Mags and the band was fighting a battle they could never win. After personnel changes including new guitarist Rob Buckley and drummer Dave Di Senzo, the band gave it one last try to get away from Profile records. The result of this line-up was the album "Alpha Omega". However this line-up never saw the studio. Profile would not release the Cro-Mags, so Parris, Rob and Dave quit.
In 1991 Harley resurrected the name with new players Gabby and Amit and with John Joseph back in the band. The Cro-Mags completed a succesful European tour which had been organised by M.A.D. and which brought them in contact with the managing director of Century Media Records in Germany, Robert Kampf, who, six years after the release of the debut "The Age Of Quarrel" ,wanted to revive this legendary band. He was one of the few guys who respected the band members as musicians and human beings. Robert went to New York and stayed with the guys for a few months talking with Harley, Doug and John. After having lost all faith in the rock "circus", Robert convinced Harley, Doug and Joseph to go back into the studio, this time with Gabby and Dave. They recorded the songs written a few years before by Rob, Parris and Harley. However, even after the succes of "Alpha Omega" the band suffered from personal problems. After recording the new songs on their upcoming lbum "Near Death Experience", Harley left the band. "Near Death Experience", the band's last studio album, again received good critiques songs such as "Time I Am", "Reflections" and "War On The Streets" made new Cro-Mags fans.
These live songs are some of the best the Cro-Mags ever recorded. This live release give you the feel of a real Gro-Mags show, where the band is on stage for you, not for themselves. You've probably heard the stories about the band - don't believe them. There never was nor shall be again a real streetcore band like the Cro-Mags. Be proud you are one of their fans, because they are the best.
Cheers, Onno Cromag