summary

In one of my favorite conversations to date, Harley Flanagan (founder of the Cro-Mags) explores his life story & the complexities of his experiences. Expect to hear about his family legacy, a chaotic childhood, the realities of growing up in a unique environment &, difficult topics such as abuse &, grief. He discusses the impact of punk rock in Ireland, his introduction to skinhead culture, & how he brought that identity back to America. Harley reflects on the early punk scene & the evolution of his own music, leading to the formation of Cro-Mags, who changed the entire movement. He shares his tumultuous journey through addiction, fatherhood, & personal growth. In a passionate plea against suicide, Harley emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of adversity & the value of life, encouraging listeners to embrace the unknown & not give up, no matter how tough things get.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Harley's wild family history
• Childhood experiences in Morocco
• Hitchhiking w/ his mom as a young kid
• Confronting the realities of abuse, violence & trauma
• Harley expresses the challenges of dealing with grief & loss of a father he never knew
• Breaking the silence around sexual abuse
• Learning meditation from Alan Ginsberg
• Harley's introduction to drugs at a young age
• The Stimulators pivotal role in the early punk rock movement
• Punk rock in Ireland
• Harley's role in introducing skinhead culture to America
• Skinhead history as a non-racist, punk movement, influenced by Jamaican music & culture
• The Cro-Mags blended punk & metal, creating a new sound that became hardcore
• The response to the Cro-Mags was initially one of shock & awe
• A life-changing phone call that revealed a potential child
• Kicking heroin oh his own & starting to run
• Suicide & not giving up
• Harley's documentary & other music documentaries

Wired For Chaos trailer - youtube.com/watch?v=yP8zCVJWl1Q

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk & Music Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share an episode with a friend who you think will also enjoy it.
• Leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this :)

Stay Free until next time!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Schneeweis (Mr. Michael Motorcycle / Friends In Real Life) & Pepe explore the theme of safe journeys. Pepe shares a couple of stories as metaphors for life's challenges & Michael offers his thoughts in response. Ultimately, they emphasize the value of relationships, support systems & tools in overcoming obstacles & finding safety in an unpredictable world. Themes of loneliness, the power of simple connections in changing lives, the healing nature of seeking to understand others &, the importance of journaling as a tool for problem solving also come up. The discussion then delves into the meaning behind Michael's album title 'Safe Journey' & offers a deeper understanding of several of its' songs. We close out by playing "Wheels Are Turning."

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

highlights:

• Pepe shares a story about a scholar on a journey across the open sea w/ Michael
• The different ways to approach critical moments in life
• Finding safety to better navigate life's challenges
• Mapping out solutions can help clarify options during crises
• Having connections is crucial for support during tough times
• We often lose sight of our resources in moments of crisis
• Reaching out to others to alleviate feelings of isolation
• Simple connections can have a profound impact on lives
• Loneliness often stems from the inability to communicate important feelings
• Seeking to understand others can be a healing process
• Journaling to categorize & solve struggles
• How "belonging" can lead to both positive & negative behaviors
• Growth requires letting old parts of oneself die-off
• We play "Wheels Are Turning"

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share an episode with a friend who you think will also enjoy it.
• Leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this :)

Stay Free until next time!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April & Pepe delve into the themes of nostalgia, loss, & the creative process behind Apes Of The State's latest album. They discuss the personal stories that influenced the music, the collaborative nature of songwriting, & the impact of community & friendship on the artistic journey. The conversation highlights the importance of honoring loved ones in song & the challenges of navigating personal struggles while maintaining a public persona. Thoughts on living through Hurricane Sandy, the impact of changing neighborhoods &, much more. We close out playing the track "What's Another Night?"

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Honoring parents in music
• Collaboration & its powerful results
• Channelling The Smashing Pumpkins when writing music
• Touring while grieving a close friend
• Songwriting can be a therapeutic outlet for pain
• What songs become "anthems"
• Meeting punk rockers in rehab
• Being viewed as "the strong friend"
• Experiences from older generations can provide valuable wisdom
• Friendships can dissolve over time, simply due to life changes
• Thoughts on nostalgia
• Musical references heard throughout the album
• We play What's Another Night?

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share an episode with a friend who you think will also enjoy it.
• Leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.