It would appear a physical altercation occurred involving members of the Cro-Mags and two members of the staff of Destroy Zine during a recent live concert. Cro-Mags vocalist/bassist Harley Flanagan commented on social media of the matter, which looks to have taken place amid the band’s concert with D.R.I. at Cafe 611 in Frederick, MD yesterday, September 12th.
Speaking last night on social media, Flanagan stated:
“Great show tonight with DRI with the exception of one incident. A few people that everyone thought was with one of the bands, but turned out not to be caused a ruckus and one of them pulled out-mace by the merch table. I got sprayed my son got sprayed everybody in the room was gasping for air a few people had to leave
I actually got sliced with a razor or something by the guy on my ass cheek as I was trying to pull him and my son apart. the guy who did it got the shit beat out of him by several people, my eyes were burning and snot was coming out of my nose and I couldn’t see. I didn’t realize I was cut till I got to the hotel I just thought my pants got torn. I’m still not sure exactly how or why it all started.
But according to everyone at the club him his girlfriend and his friends were being assholes all night. Two of them had ski masks on and were selling magazines and stuff this is why we all thought they were in or with one of the bands. All I know is that shit did not need to happen and shouldn’t have happened. There were kids at the show a 5 year old a 7 year old a 10 year old and my friends 15 year old son and they could have been sprayed or hurt.
These assholes obviously came to the show for problems because they had mace, a stun gun type baton and they dropped a bag that had a suture kit with stitches, needles and iodine in it so they must’ve been expecting something you don’t walk around with stuff like that or bring stuff like that to a show unless you’re expecting problems or looking for them. I had to play the set with my eyes and skin burning.
But besides that it was a great night and a great show. Thank you all for coming out I saw a lot of old friends and made a lot of new ones but that shit was nuts but I’m not gonna let it ruin what was an otherwise good time DRI put on a great show I love those guys thank you all for the positivity, despite that shit. And don’t worry we will be back. Unfortunately I think we need better security at shows”
Flanagan went on to make a separate post earlier today, September 13th, showing the wound he apparently received in the fracas (see the below gallery), while offering:
“I’m just glad that I got cut and not my son. That could’ve been my son’s neck or face everyone who was maced and assaulted will be pressing charges. These people contacted us, asked for an interview were put on the guest list. They showed up in ski masks armed with Mace a baton some kind of a stun gun.
And a suture kit fell out of their bag with stitches, iodine, and everything that one would need to repair a wound, so they obviously came with the intentions of starting something. Anybody who saw anything please step forward. This incident took place before we even got on stage. And there were children in the room who could’ve been injured.”
Members of the Destroy zine staff however are offering a different account on the matter, with one of their staff offering the following post:
A brief clip of video footage from the incident has been circulating online, though it’s hard to grasp entirely what happened given the brevity of the footage. In it several individuals can be seen involved in what appears to be a pair of altercations. Destroy Zine meanwhile announced that they intend to apparently publish their account of the incident in their upcoming third issue.
A story shared on Instagram by Destroy Zine made claims that their editor was allegedly sexually assaulted and that the Destroy Zine staff were robbed of their money. A separate statement issued by Destroy Zine this afternoon reads as follows:
“A full unfiltered story of what happened yesterday will be announced soon. We are taking our time collectively to gather all of our information and key details to fully entail what went on. We appreciate all your support and reshares! Stick up for yourself and others especially when they’re not around. No one should ever be afraid to be themselves and stick up for others.”
A separate post shared this afternoon by Cro-Mags reads as follows:
“It’s a sad day when a small local zine asks us for an interview, and not knowing who they are, we comp them 3 guest passes to a show, and they come into the club wearing ski masks, carrying clubs and mace and a kit to stitch wounds.
One of them accuses Harley of “sexual harassment” (and every time someone makes that claim untruthfully, another real victim is fucked) at the merch table, in front of dozens of people, all witnesses, and a fight explodes. One of the masked kids sprayed mace at Harley and his son and everyone around them was sprayed at the same time. All of this happened before the band played, in a room packed with people and several young kids.
Destroy Magazine will now write whatever they want in their magazine about this and make their false accusations. The people who were assaulted (Harley was maced and slashed with a knife) have all pressed charges in Maryland.
We are sad that we were stupid enough to give them 3 free passes to an otherwise great show. We are sad that for attention, and readers, and to push whatever their ski-mask-wearing agenda is, they need to use the name of a band with some notoriety. We are sad that this is the time we live in, and anyone can say whatever they want to get attention for whatever they are promoting.
We apologize to the people who came to hear us play, to hear the opening bands and DRI. And we appreciate your support.
We all live in this social -media cesspool now where anyone can say anything for attention. But we know what happened, as do dozens of witnesses, the cameras from inside the venue, and so do the police.
Thank you again for all the love and support… see you tonight!”
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