Hard-Core: Life of My Own

when younger people ask me to describe the late 70's early 80's Lower NYC atmosphere , people etc I always find myself saying " you kind of had to be there" as if I told you some stuff, half of it your mind wouldn't be able to compute , seeing HF at I believ 13 years old one day while me and my pals were in WSP cutting school and we see this kid, no shirt on, shaved head, no crew cult but bald and wearing combat boots and he had a tattoo was almost one of those " am I seeing what I think I am , and man this must be some ill herb " he was without a doubt the first skinhead I had ever seen in NYC and that's saying something as it was freak show , his life story is deep, raw to the bone Oliver Twist type tip but uhh scarier , the fact he has come out the other side of walking through the fire most would be incinerated by after a couple steps , this kid ran a marathon through . Seeing the Cro mags in their heyday was the greatest form of chaotic release one could experience and they were ours and no matter what happens in the future , their legacy started by a 13 year old kid in some dank apartment on the LES came to fruition and has spawned generations of imitators who will never know those times and sadly should know their roots, reading this book will be like Crib Notes on the entire history of the real NYHC story but this story goes beyond that and reminds me of a Punk rock version of a Jack London novel or a more drug fueled version of one of my favorite tales of adventure Education of a Wandering man by Louis Lamour . Essential reading

As a big Cro-mags fan and also a fan of Harley's War and other music by Harley, I was really looking forward to this book and it delivered big time! I remember telling Harley once that the fact he has been through everything he has in his tumultuous life and has come out the other end as a great father and BJJ instructor is a huge victory.To say he has been around a great deal of violence through out his life would be a huge understatement. Violence just seemed to follow Harley through out his life all the way up to the Webster Hall incident in 2012. It was very interesting to hear his thoughts on his life as well as an honest account of his many mistakes and how good or bad they made him the man he is today.I think being well-calibrated is critical to growth and rising to your full potential and as Harley stated at the end of the book, going through the process of writing his book provided some very much needed closure. Now I think it is time for him to let go of the Cro-mags completely as that is a relic of the past and there is plenty of things for him to focus on in the present which will be more satisfying including his solo music career.I also really enjoyed all the behind the scenes stories on the Cro-mags and it becomes all too clear why they imploded many times and were just not able to stay the course and become as big as other bands like Slayer and Megadeth.Really interesting bio even if you are not a fan of the Cro-mags but also a must read if you are.

Just bought Harley's book. After reading recently Dave Dictor's bio (some interesting info in there) and Keith Morris' book (really fun to and interesting to read this one), I have to say that Harley's book is the one. Very well written and plenty of fun (at least for me) facts in there. Having been a rock then metal then HC kid myself, about the same age as Harley, and also coming from a family immersed into music, it is cool to cross some facts that we only knew via the grapevine back the (before the internet generation - remember?). Yes NYC LES was scary back then, and I will always remember the first time I dared to walk through all the Spanish speaking guys at the eastern side of Bleeker in 83 to finally hit the Bowery and CBs and face a see of skins and thinking: this might be even more scary than what I just went through ah ah ah. Anyway, this book is great, reflects that atmosphere perfectly and is very interesting to read: it makes you think how interesting NYC was fun (and scary) back then and how much it changed in the last 25 years. I was lucky to see Harley in Europe in the early Nineties a few times (that tour when John was back on board) and then as White Devil in London (killer gig with Parris I think and Bobby on guitars) and for me reading this book brings so many good memories back (zero violence on my side - just good memories of nice people) that I am recommending to anybody who is interested in understanding how NYC was back in the day to read this book. Well done Harley, and best of luck for the coming years!!!

A MUST read for any CroMags fan,NYHC fan, crossover period metal fan, 80s and/or 70s punk fan, or ANYONE interested in a good read about a true punk/hardcore legend, straight from the horse's mouth. Love him or hate him, take sides or don't, this is a great read. Doesn't pull any punches, and doesn't attempt to smear anyone else's name. Anyone familiar with the Cromags, is undoubtedly aware of the static the members have with each other; Harley says it like it is. Great stories from his years as a pre-pubescent drummer for The Stimulators, playin' Max's Kansas City and CBGB and subsequent touring, his time in San Francisco in the notorious Vat days, and back to the L.E.S. to finally start CroMags for better or worse, and continues on through kids, marriage, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu with the world famous Gracie family, and gives his side of the story regarding the headline making 'incident' in NYC at a performance by current CroMags line-up led by front-man John Joseph, at the CBGB Festival at Webster Hall.Flanagan's book is entertaining, to the point, and FEELS honest (I wasn't there, so it isn't my business! hahaha), and throughout it all, he still maintains love for his brothers in arms despite the eternally waged conflict that will forever be attached to the CroMags name. At the end of the day, it seems some kind of peace has come out of the age of quarrel, even if it appears the past won't be mended, at least some personal version of closure is attained. In short: Read this s***- it's a killer book. -Hammerin' Hanke (DuRT-Head Army)

Read the book in a week. Its a mesmerising read from start to finish. Ive listened to and grown up with the band since the 80s so was really pleased to get my hands on this. Anyone who wants to understand Harleys take on the NY punk and hardcore scene would be a fool not to buy this book 10/10👍

Best (craziest!) Music biography I've ever read.

A great read. Will read it again in the future

Great book

Fantastic book, everything it says on the cover and more, I honestly couldnt put it down , a great insight into what the NYHC scene was really like and about, Harley has my respect even more now