Former Cro-Mags bassist and founding member Harley Flanagan is facing two counts of second degree assault and weapon possession charges after causing havoc at the band’s gig at Webster Hall in New York last night.
According to the New York Post, as the band were to hit the stage as part of CBCB Festival, Flanagan crashed the balcony’s VIP area, armed with a hunting knife, forcing 30 people to flee the area.
Diffuser reports Flanagan then headed directly to the band’s dressing room, where he stabbed Michael “The Gook” Couls, the band’s current bassist, and apparently one of his replacements. Fellow band member William Berario was slashed above the eye and bitten on the cheek. They were each rushed to the hospital, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Flanagan was restrained by six security guards and suffered a broken leg in the incident. He was handcuffed to a chair and escorted out, with eyewitnesses saying he was booed and had objects thrown at him by punters in the venue.
The show was ultimately cancelled, with Cro-Mags frotnman John Joseph McGowan declaring to the crowd: “You can all thank Harley Flanagan for ruining the night for everyone.”
Flanagan received treatment at hospital for his leg, but now along with his injuries, he faces the criminal charges mentioned up top…and the wrath of disgruntled punters and fans who didn’t get to see the band play.
Bowery Boogie has images of the incident here.
