{"id":31413,"date":"2026-08-22T23:11:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T23:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skylight.gr\/?p=31413"},"modified":"2026-08-22T23:20:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T23:20:01","slug":"cro-mags-wired-for-chaos-and-nyhc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skylight.gr\/index.php\/2026\/08\/22\/cro-mags-wired-for-chaos-and-nyhc\/","title":{"rendered":"CRO-MAGS – Wired for Chaos and NYHC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Interview with Harley Flanagan<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. “Wired for Chaos” is your first new music in six years. What made this the right song to reintroduce Cro-Mags, and what does it say about where the band is creatively today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just felt it was a good kick in the teeth, it’s aggressive. The words came together after the release of the movie by the same name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. You describe the song as being about trauma, childhood experiences, and PTSD. Was writing “Wired for Chaos” a form of personal reflection, or did it also change the way you view your own past?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong>No the song itself didn’t change anything for me personally, making the movie did. But I think writing the song may help clarify some of these things for others who might be dealing with some of these issues without knowing it or knowing why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The title comes directly from your documentary. How do the documentary and the song complement each other? Do you see them as two chapters of the same story?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s just a further introspective look on a journey that I still have far to go on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. You mentioned that the new video reminds you of “We Gotta Know” from forty years ago. Looking back at that era, what do you think has changed the most about Cro-Mags, and what has remained completely unchanged?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The obvious thing is the lineup changes over the years, that being said, that’s also what has remained consistent. Because, whether people like it or not, Cro-Mags has always and will always be a vehicle for me to make music and express myself with others, and who they are has changed several times over the past 40+ years. Going back to the first demos I recorded with the help of my aunt Denise from The Stimulators\u2014that was really the beginning of the Cro-Mags. Then that first AOQ album lineup was not the first group of people involved, and it lasted a relatively short period of time.Its a classic line up but not the first or last. My current line-up has already lasted longer than that one did. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. You’ve said Cro-Mags have a rare multigenerational audience that includes hardcore kids, metalheads, punks, and skinheads. What do you think allows the band to connect with such different scenes while remaining authentic?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would have to say two things: not just my own personal history, but also the band’s place in history\u2014not just HC\/Metal and Crossover history but Punk as well\u2014and there have been so many musical influences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Arthur Rizk handled the recording, mixing, and mastering of “Wired for Chaos.” What did he bring to the project that helped capture the classic Cro-Mags spirit while keeping the sound fresh?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He heard things in some of my riffs that I didn’t, and then focused in on them. I then went back and forth trimming and editing until we felt it was right. It’s a real pleasure to work with him, I love the guy. He’s a great guy with an amazing family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Greyson Nekrutman has built a reputation as one of the most exciting young drummers in heavy music. What made him the right choice for this track, and how did his energy influence the recording?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One day I just woke up and said, “Greyson!”! He can do this! and he only lives about an hour away from me. I figured whether we ever play live together or not, it was just one of those things I really wanted to do. I am big fan of his, and was even before I met him on tour with Suicidal. We stayed in touch and then linked up when he started touring with Sepultura. He is super talent, humble and nice, a real class act. I had the opportunity so I made the call. And he said yes. First we did AoQ, then we started working on new material. He’s an amazing talend and very inspiring. He’s got an amazing life of music ahead of him and I’m glad our journeys have crossed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Cro-Mags have influenced countless artists, from hardcore pioneers to mainstream rock bands like Foo Fighters and Green Day. Does it ever surprise you to see how far your impact has reached, or did you always believe the music would outlive its original scene?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It never ceases to amaze me, it’s always a surprise. Even when people recognize me on the street or in airports, I always say I’m not Flea or probably not who you think I am. It’s an honor. Even if the financial rewards haven’t been great, my personal reward for being an influence, well, its humbling more so than rewarding. I wrote many of the songs while struggling through life, while having nothing, living in squats, stealing to eat, struggling… it always reminds me of where i came from and begs the question: why am I still here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. You’ve experienced nearly every high and low a band can go through over four decades, lineup changes, personal conflicts, legal battles, and constant reinvention. What have those experiences taught you about resilience, both as a musician and as a person?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just to keep going even when you don’t want to. If I had given up yesterday, I wouldn’t be here today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. With “Wired for Chaos” marking a new chapter and a busy international touring schedule ahead, should fans see this single as the beginning of a larger project? What can they expect from Cro-Mags over the next year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, and a lot.. As much as possible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have most of a new album written and recorded, and a lot of amazing news and surprises coming up that I can’t leak yet!!! So just keep checking Cro-Mags and my socials! There are going to be a lot of announcements coming up, gigs, music and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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