Cro-Mags show at the Cafe 611 in Frederick, MD on September 12 allegedly got violent. According to statements from both parties, there was a violent incident between two staff members of Destroy Zine and Cro-Mags vocalist and bassist Harley Flanagan. According to Flanagan, members of Destroy Zine maced people by the merch table and stabbed him with a razor.
"Great show tonight with DRI with the exception of one incident. A few people that everyone thought was with one of the bands, but turned out not to be caused a ruckus and one of them pulled out-mace by the merch table. I got sprayed my son got sprayed everybody in the room was gasping for air a few people had to leave
"I actually got sliced with a razor or something by the guy on my ass cheek as I was trying to pull him and my son apart. the guy who did it got the shit beat out of him by several people, my eyes were burning and snot was coming out of my nose and I couldn't see. I didn't realize I was cut till I got to the hotel I just thought my pants got torn. I'm still not sure exactly how or why it all started.
"But according to everyone at the club him his girlfriend and his friends were being assholes all night. Two of them had ski masks on and were selling magazines and stuff this is why we all thought they were in or with one of the bands. All I know is that shit did not need to happen and shouldn't have happened. There were kids at the show a 5 year old a 7 year old a 10 year old and my friends 15 year old son and they could have been sprayed or hurt.
"These assholes obviously came to the show for problems because they had mace, a stun gun type baton and they dropped a bag that had a suture kit with stitches, needles and iodine in it so they must've been expecting something you don't walk around with stuff like that or bring stuff like that to a show unless you're expecting problems or looking for them. I had to play the set with my eyes and skin burning.
"But besides that it was a great night and a great show. Thank you all for coming out I saw a lot of old friends and made a lot of new ones but that shit was nuts but I'm not gonna let it ruin what was an otherwise good time DRI put on a great show I love those guys thank you all for the positivity, despite that shit. And don't worry we will be back. Unfortunately I think we need better security at shows"
Flanagan later added in a separate post with photos from the aftermath of the alleged incident: "I'm just glad that I got cut and not my son. That could've been my son's neck or face everyone who was maced and assaulted will be pressing charges. These people contacted us, asked for an interview were put on the guest list. They showed up in ski masks armed with Mace a baton some kind of a stun gun.
"And a suture kit fell out of their bag with stitches, iodine, and everything that one would need to repair a wound, so they obviously came with the intentions of starting something. Anybody who saw anything please step forward. This incident took place before we even got on stage. And there were children in the room who could've been injured."
Staff from Destroy Zine paint a different picture of what happened that night, saying Flanagan attempted to sexually assault their editor and photographer. Upon refusing Flanagan, there was an outburst of violence where their lives were threatened.
"We were invited by them to do an interview, and not soon after he made unwanted advanced on our editor/photographer. He even touched her. She refused his advances and confronted him. So he threatened our lives and they threatened to break her arm. He also threatened to break out legd and then he flipped our table and they all jumped one editor. While we tried to get free and save ourselves. Then Harley brought his knife out and threatened us and stole our money. We had to fight for our lives. They attacked us from all sides and even pinned two people down. 2 people from their crew held our editor/photographer down and said they were going to break her arm while Harley got on top of her.
"6 people from their crew beat our other editor while he was on the ground. We are lucky to be alive and not stabbed because [Harley] from Cro-Mags is known for stabbing people and raping girls.
"We didnt know that until after the fact or we would have never accepted their invitation to the show.
"They even claimed to be giving us 'press passes' but we never saw the passes and they all attacked us. It felt like premeditated assault on us."
Destroy Zine has since followed up on their claims, adding: "A full unfiltered story of what happened yesterday will be announced soon. We are taking our time collectively to gather all of our information and key details to fully entail what went on. We appreciate all your support and reshares! Stick up for yourself and others especially when they're not around. No one should ever be afraid to be themselves and stick up for others."
Flanagan was none too pleased with Destroy Zine's account of what happened, and denied all their claims.
"It's a sad day when a small local zine asks us for an interview, and not knowing who they are, we comp them 3 guest passes to a show, and they come into the club wearing ski masks, carrying clubs and mace and a kit to stitch wounds.
"One of them accuses Harley of 'sexual harassment' (and every time someone makes that claim untruthfully, another real victim is fucked) at the merch table, in front of dozens of people, all witnesses, and a fight explodes. One of the masked kids sprayed mace at Harley and his son and everyone around them was sprayed at the same time. All of this happened before the band played, in a room packed with people and several young kids.
"Destroy Magazine will now write whatever they want in their magazine about this and make their false accusations. The people who were assaulted (Harley was maced and slashed with a knife) have all pressed charges in Maryland.
"We are sad that we were stupid enough to give them 3 free passes to an otherwise great show. We are sad that for attention, and readers, and to push whatever their ski-mask-wearing agenda is, they need to use the name of a band with some notoriety. We are sad that this is the time we live in, and anyone can say whatever they want to get attention for whatever they are promoting.
"We apologize to the people who came to hear us play, to hear the opening bands and DRI. And we appreciate your support.
"We all live in this social -media cesspool now where anyone can say anything for attention. But we know what happened, as do dozens of witnesses, the cameras from inside the venue, and so do the police.
"Thank you again for all the love and support… see you tonight!"
