We’ve had reports of singers getting beaten up by their former bandmates, and we heard of the Miami concert-goers that were held up by a zombie attack – but this latest report is a terrifying combination of the two.
New York City hardcore punk act Cro-Mags were scheduled to play Webster Hall as part of the CBGB’s festival late last week, when former bass player and founding member Harley Flanagan assaulted two current members of the band with a hunting knife.
According to a report from the New York Post, Flanagan stabbed current band members Michael Couls and William Berario, as well as biting the latter’s cheek, at the green room backstage at Webster Hall before the band were due onstage for their performance.
Security managed to subdue Flanagan, breaking one of his legs in the process, and he was taken to hospital and charged with two counts of 2nd degree assault and weapons charges. The show was cancelled after the injured Cro-Mags lineup were also rushed to emergency to be treated for arm and stomach wounds in Couls’ case and Berario for his cheek bites and a slashed eye.
Metal Insider has also supposed that security at the festival were given a photography of Flanagan prior to the concert and instructed to keep him out of the venue. Flanagan has a supposed history of violence, and it’s believed his gruesome assault was over issues he had with a new lineup using the name he and his teenage friend, Parris Mayhew, had founded in 1980.
Cro-Mags however, have had a long history of lineup changes, including members from many of New York’s notable hardcore and thrash bands including the likes of Bad Brains and Suicidal Tendencies. Flanagan had not been a part of the band since around 2000, when he left shortly after the release of Revenge, citing internal hostility between the band. This attack obviously demonstrates that those issues were never resolved.
CBGB Festival have since released a statement over the incident:
“We are saddened to learn about the events that occurred last night at Webster Hall. Our primary concern is always the safety and experience of New Yorkers, music fans and the general public. Naturally we will fully cooperate with law enforcement while hoping for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Live music can be incredibly uplifting, empowering and positive. We don’t feel the actions of one person should overshadow four amazing days and nights of events that include today’s historic and unprecedented free concerts in Times Square and Central Park.
-The CBGB Festival”
Some enterprising soul also managed to get some footage of Cro-Mags leader, John Joseph attempting to explain to the audience that their gig was cancelled due to the attack. You can view the footage below:
