Harley Flanagan hit the stage at Reggies Rock Club, fronting New York hardcore legends Cro-Mags for a raucous and rainy Wednesday night.
Cro-Mags was born in New York City’s Lower East Side during the Big Apple’s grimy 80’s heyday. Four decades later, founder and only remaining original band member, Harley Flanagan continues to grind out exhausting performances. Flanagan, compact and muscular, snarled and smiled and told of being one of so many who have dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder. Even as he repeatedly bumped fists with fans, he warned crowd members against grabbing at the microphone to sing. He was the one performing after all. Cro-Mags current lineup along with Flanagan, is composed of drummer Garry “G-Man” Sullivan, who has been with the band on and off since 1999, and two newer members Hector Guzman on lead guitar and Dom DiBenedetto (formerly of Boston hardcore group Slapshot) on Rhythm Guitar. This stop was just one in a grueling 2022 tour year. There were the same number of shows this past spring and summer as the years Flanagan has been alive, 55. December alone has the band performing 13 shows.
Nonetheless, band members appeared inexhaustible as they pummeled through the set list, which included “From The Grave,” “Down But Not Out,” “Street Justice,” “Life Of My Own,” “Hard Times,” and “Apocalypse Now.”
Si Dios Quiere is a newer Chicago hardcore band, having been founded in 2020. They also introduced a new vocalist, Ozzy, recently. The band is comprised also of brothers Roberto Velazquez and Ricardo Velazquez, and Louie Flores. The intense set included “Sacrificio,” “Desperate Measures,” “Sufriemento/End of Compromise,” “Sin Justicia,” and “Roll The Dice.” Si Dios Quiere is an exciting new voice in the Windy City hardcore community.
Insult To Injury was founded thirty years ago in Chicago, IL. On this night, it demonstrated it was still able to pound it out on stage. The band, led by vocalist Tim Kucharski, gave a hard-driving performance that kept the crowd moving.
Crime Spree, yet another member of the Windy City hardcore scene, was primarily active between 2014 and 2017. It reunited at the start of 2022 for two memorial performances for a late friend, and four additional shows. Getting this show started, Crime Spree played, what vocalist Jimmymack Jacquez described as, “most likely the last gig for a very long time.”
Jacquez, along with Jim Slattery, Calvin Mathis, and Fabian Arroyo, hammered through “Let’s Drink,” “South Side,” “Sick Fucks,” “Sock Full Of Quarters,” and “Violence Is The Only Answer.” Crime Spree might be over for now or for good, but at least a few members are still active in other bands. Cool.
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