Harley Flanagan | |
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Birth name | Harley Francis Flanagan |
Born | 1967 (age 49–50) San Francisco, California, United States |
Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
Genres | Hardcore punk, thrash metal, crossover thrash, punk rock, heavy metal, rap rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, author, MMA workshop instructor |
Instruments | |
Years active | 1980–present |
Labels | ROIR, Profile, Century Media, Cro-Mags Recordings |
Associated acts |
Cro-Mags Harley's War The Stimulators Mode of Ignorance Murphy's Law White Devil |
Website | www |
Harley Francis Flanagan (born 1967) is a founding member and former bassist of the crossover thrash band Cro-Mags.
At age 12, Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators. When he was nine, Flanagan published a book of poetry with a foreword written by family friend, Allen Ginsberg.
Flanagan is the father of two sons and is married to Laura Flanagan (formerly Laura Hill), who is a PhD in English and works as general counsel for a wealth management firm.
Flanagan, who is a black-belt in Brazilian jujitsu, currently works as an instructor for Renzo Gracie Academy. His students at the Academy include the two daughters of TV chef Anthony Bourdain, who coincidentally attended NYC Stimulators concerts in the early 1980s, and was a fan of the then preteen drummer.
Flanagan has been a vegetarian for most of his life.
Flanagan's autobiography, Hard-Core: Life of My Own, was published by Feral House in 2016, and contains an introduction by Steven Blush. As of October 14, 2016, it is ranked as the #1 seller in martial arts biographies by Amazon.
As reported by Rolling Stone magazine, Harley is currently collaborating with Madison Square Garden organist Ray Castoldi and rock musician Chris Clemence on a song called "lets go", which will be played at MSG sporting events. Harley is a co-writer of the song, and will be singing lead vocals.
On July 6, 2012, Flanagan was arrested for allegedly stabbing two current members of Cro-Mags, and biting one of them in the groin, backstage at the Webster Hall in New York City and charged with felony assault. The band's lead singer, John Joseph, said Flanagan "had been at odds with other members of the Cro-Mags since he left the band in 2000 and had not been permitted to rejoin." Flanagan was stabbed in the leg while being subdued by security and the injuries to the victims are not life-threatening. Flanagan stated he drew the knife to defend himself and that the wound to his leg required 30 stitches. Charges were dropped in December 2012, due to a lack of cooperating witnesses. Couls and Bernardo are now suing Flanagan over the incident.