Harley Flanagan, singer / bassist, of legendary hardcore band Cro-Mags has announced that he is retiring from full time touring. Stating that the pain of touring is too much, he said while he is not done playing live, he is done touring. This comes just as the Cro-Mags announced a re-recording of their legendary first album ‘Age Of Quarrel’.
This re-recording comes with controversy as former Cro-Mags singer John Joseph has condemned it online telling fans to avoid it. The former singer stated that the re-recording was done without some members blessings that were on the album though Flanagan has stated that all members on the original recordings will get paid from this re-recording.
In an Instagram post he made named “I Can Feel It in MyBones: My Touring Days Are Coming to an End,” Flanagan posted:
“I don’t know how many more I got in me… But it’s winding down… I’ve been on the road since the 70s. Even [Agnostic Front guitarist Vinnie] Stigma can’t say that. lol This used to be an escape from living in squats. I don’t live in a squat anymore. I still enjoy playing music. I just don’t enjoy traveling. I have nine more shows booked after this tour. I’m gonna take a break for a little while and think this through, my new album is almost done I have a few more songs to finish and it may be the best one I’ve ever written that’s all I want is to write one good album that really makes me happy. Then we will see what happens…
I’m not saying I’m gonna stop playing altogether. But I’m done grinding it out on tour. I’ll play when I feel like it, but this shit is done, touring is a young man’s/woman’s sport. I like to eat right, I like to sleep right and I like to wake up next to my wife. I actually love my life. I’m not trying to escape it anymore. When you find happiness hold onto it. I don’t wanna spend my whole life on the road and die without holding onto the life I have created for myself.”
On the decision to honor ‘The Age of Quarrel,’ Harley shares:
“It all started with the making of the ‘Wired for Chaos‘ movie, but there were several reasons for revisiting ‘The Age of Quarrel.’ None of the people who played on the original record ever got paid, and none of us ever received an accounting of the album’s sales. For years, I tried to reunite the original lineup to re-record it and reclaim the rights to ‘The Age of Quarrel‘ and ‘Best Wishes‘ through the Copyright Reversion Act. But I couldn’t get everyone together to take back ownership of the music, and that window has now closed.”
He continues, “We had to re-record a few songs for the ‘Harley Flanagan: Wired for Chaos’ documentary soundtrack because the original recordings couldn’t be licensed. That inspired me to finish the entire album. To honor ‘The Age of Quarrel,’ I brought together friends, current bandmates, and musicians from other bands to celebrate these songs that have meant so much to so many people, myself included. Forty years later, everyone who wrote these songs will finally be paid through ASCAP and BMI, and the remaining proceeds will go to charity. I’m doing my best to make things right. These songs belong to the fans. I’m washing my hands of the past and trying to clear the bad karma from this record. Love wins. My quarrel is over.”
Joining Flanagan are original ‘AOQ’ guitarist Doug Holland, former CRO-MAGS/ Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Rocky George, and members of modern-day acolytes Turnstile and Rise Against for fresh takes on classics including “Hard Times,” “World Peace,” and “Malfunction,” along with the addition of the 1985 demo-era favorite “Everybody’s Gonna Die.” Drums on all tracks were handled by drum phenom Greyson Nekrutman. Produced and mixed by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Blood Incantation), ‘40 Years of Quarrel’ not merely revisits a pivotal crossover classic, but pours new fuel on the fire for old devotees and new converts to the CRO-MAGS cause.
‘The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel’ Track List:
1. We Gotta Know (Featuring Dave Sharpe & Doug Holland)
2. World Peace
3. Show You No Mercy
4. Malfunction
5. Street Justice
6. Survival Of The Streets
7. Seekers Of The Truth (Featuring Arthur Rizk and Rocky George)
8. It’s The Limit (Featuring Meg Mills)
9. Hard Times
10. By Myself
11. Don’t Tread On Me (Featuring Zach Blair)
12. Face The Facts
13. Do Unto Others
14. Life of My Own
15. Signs Of The Times
