In late 2005, the Bad Brains played two sold-out shows at CBGBs with Cro-Mags' John Joseph on vocals and Mackie Jayson on drums and the band focused on songs from the Bad Brains' self-titled debut album and I Against I. (I can't remember the reason given for HR being in CA these nights). This lineup is back and is playing a benefit show on Thursday, Sept. 25th at Bowery Electric under the name Regulator.
A NYHC all-star event, Regulator includes John Joseph & Mackie of The Cro-Mags and performs all classic Bad Brains material.
Special guests to join Regulator during this performance will be none other than the Bad Brains own Darryl Jennifer & Dr. Know. All proceeds from the event will benefit The Children’s Tumor Foundation (which is also the charity John Joseph supports through competing in Ironman Triathlons). Also performing will be Wilding Incident (which features members of Crown Of Thornz, Maximum Penalty and The White Mandingos) and the recently re-united Subzero.
Tickets are $20 and you have to figure that this show will sell out.
There is something fundamentally wrong when the two Cro-Mags websites [Paris' site is www.cro-mags.com and Harley's site is www.cromags.com] haven't been updated in years. While Paris' site was registered before the release of Revenge, I don't remember either site being active before the "final quarrel" in 2001 .
Anyway, the RSVP list for Friday's free Cro-Mags / Pissed Jeans / Fucked Up show at House of Vans in Brooklyn is full but John Joseph posted to Facebook earlier today "Do this SATURDAYS walking tour and get free VIP tix to sold out Cro-Mags show FRIDAY."
THE HISTORY OF ART, CRIME, DRUGS and PUNK ROCK ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE:
What was it about the Lower East Side that attracted so much talent and crime in the last 40 years? Since my early days of punk the summer of 1977 I’ve been exposed of the best music and the worst crime. Everything from Max’s Kansas City to the Alphabet City Butcher Daniel Rackowitz who lived right above me and killed his girlfriend, chopped her up and fed her to the homeless in Tompkins Square Park. I was also in that park when the riot of 1989 kicked off and I played one of the last shows at CBGB’s.
Most people walking around on the Lower East Side today with its trendy boutiques and coffee shops have no idea of its history, the great music and violence that has always co-existed side by side down here. I’ll take you to the punk clubs, gang hangouts and drug spots where some of the craziest things went down. It’s a first hand account from someone who was immersed in the danger having myself grown up on the streets of NYC since the age of 14. I guarantee you it will be a true punk rock & crime history lesson from someone who was there way back then and is still here.
We will drop by the famous CBGB’s location where The Ramones and so many other legendary punk bands started. We’ll walk by Great Gildersleeves where the Hells Angels regularly ran people over on their motorcycles. Stroll down memory lane at Saint Marks Place passing Trash and Vaudeville (punk store), the Electric Circus where the likes of Bad Brains, Crass, and so many others jammed. All the while telling you my anecdotes and funny stories of the crazy shit I’ve seen go down. Then Tompkins Sq Park, giving first hand knowledge of the areas events. We’ll even hit MANITOBAS for Bob Gruen's famous Punk Rock photo exhibit before we go by the Ritz (now Webster Hall) and Irving Plaza where so many great bands like Black Flag, Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, Motorhead (first US gig), The Damned, Buzzcocks and where the late punk-rocker John Belushi slam danced his nights away. Finally our last stops on the tour will be Max's Kansas City where we end in Union Sq Park discussing the area and what is what like. Drugs, hookers, violence, the Palladium where The Clash's London Calling album cover was taken and many great bands played. Ever heard of Julien's Pool Hall? The porno theaters where I’d sleep in the dead of winter for 50 cents a night and the Gramercy Park Boxing Gym (now PC Richard’s) where my old man and many world Champions boxed. The bottom line is, whether you’re a seasoned New Yorker or someone visiting the city on vacation, this tour is not to be missed. I can guarantee you it will be a memorable experience. Hosted by John Joseph
Rocks Off has a number of NYHC bands playing this month as part of their Concert Cruise series. "The Rocks Off Concert Cruise is a 3-hour tour through New York Harbor with Bands, Booze, Bridges and great times."
August 11th, 8PM Cro-Mags Rocks Off Concert Cruise Aboard The Temptress Pier 81 – W 41st St and West Side Highway $30/$35 (DOS)
August 12th, 8PM Murphy's Law Rocks Off Concert Cruise Aboard The Jewel E. 23rd St. & FDR Dr. $20/$25 (DOS)
August 22nd, 7PM H2O Rocks Off Concert Cruise Aboard The Temptress Pier 81 – W 41st St and West Side Highway $29.99/$35 (DOS)
John and crew are playing a Cro-Mags jam at one of the last nights of the Knitting Factory. John will be playing with Mackie, AJ (from Leeway), and Craig (from Sick of It All). Also on the bill is Wisdom in Chains, Laws of Gravity and Trapped Under Ice.
This announcement was posted to Madball's MySpace page yesterday:
We’re sad to announce that after 6 years with the band, our drummer Rigg Ross will be moving on. We’d like to wish him all the best for the future, and he will have our love and respect forever.
At the same time, we’d like to welcome Mackie Jayson (former Cro-Mags, Bad Brains) to the band. We look forward to playing our first shows with him later this month. See you all soon!
Unfortunately, Madball doesn't have any area shows scheduled at this time.
.JPG)
