summary

In one of my favorite conversations to date, Harley Flanagan (founder of the Cro-Mags) explores his life story & the complexities of his experiences. Expect to hear about his family legacy, a chaotic childhood, the realities of growing up in a unique environment &, difficult topics such as abuse &, grief. He discusses the impact of punk rock in Ireland, his introduction to skinhead culture, & how he brought that identity back to America. Harley reflects on the early punk scene & the evolution of his own music, leading to the formation of Cro-Mags, who changed the entire movement. He shares his tumultuous journey through addiction, fatherhood, & personal growth. In a passionate plea against suicide, Harley emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of adversity & the value of life, encouraging listeners to embrace the unknown & not give up, no matter how tough things get.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Harley's wild family history
• Childhood experiences in Morocco
• Hitchhiking w/ his mom as a young kid
• Confronting the realities of abuse, violence & trauma
• Harley expresses the challenges of dealing with grief & loss of a father he never knew
• Breaking the silence around sexual abuse
• Learning meditation from Alan Ginsberg
• Harley's introduction to drugs at a young age
• The Stimulators pivotal role in the early punk rock movement
• Punk rock in Ireland
• Harley's role in introducing skinhead culture to America
• Skinhead history as a non-racist, punk movement, influenced by Jamaican music & culture
• The Cro-Mags blended punk & metal, creating a new sound that became hardcore
• The response to the Cro-Mags was initially one of shock & awe
• A life-changing phone call that revealed a potential child
• Kicking heroin oh his own & starting to run
• Suicide & not giving up
• Harley's documentary & other music documentaries

Wired For Chaos trailer - youtube.com/watch?v=yP8zCVJWl1Q

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• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

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