Cro-Mags founder attacks current bandmembers

The CBGB Festival got considerably more interesting than anybody expected last night when Cro-Mags founding member Harley Flanagan burst into the VIP area at Webster Hall and attacked up to three current members of the band with his fists, teeth and a hunting knife. There are conflicting reports about how many injuries were sustained, but current Cro-Mags bassist Mike Couls is reportedly one of the injured. According to various New York media outlets, none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Flanagan founded the band with lead singer John Joseph McGowan as a hardcore group in 1981, but by the end of the decade, the Cro-Mags had joined many of their contemporaries moving into a more thrash metal direction. The band has broken up repeatedly over the decades, and at times has had competing lineups fronted by Flanagan and McGowan; McGowan is the only original member in the current lineup. Flanagan and McGowan have been at odds for years, but Flanagan's direct motivations for his attack are still unclear. Rumors have circulated that Flanagan had asked to join the band during their set and was rebuffed, but these remain unconfirmed.

The show, also featuring Sick Of It All and Vision of Disorder, was cancelled following the attack.