Alcatraz Line up: 2024

Forty years ago Cro-Mags and godfathers Agnostic Front laid the foundations of the American hardcore/punk scene. A legendary band in other words, but also a cauldron of incessant infighting. The various (former) members don’t even see eye to eye on how the band was formed but what is beyond dispute is that it was in the early 80s. Their first two albums, ‘The Age of Quarrel’ (1986) and ‘Best Wishes’ (1989), are regarded as extremely influential since Cro-Mags were one of the first acts to fuse hardcore with thrash. After a protracted legal battle, heated arguments and reunions, Harley Flanagan reached a settlement in 2019 with former members John Joseph and Mackie Jayson. The singer/bassist owns exclusive rights to the Cro-Mags name and they put out ‘In the Beginning’ the following year.