CRO MAGS Founder Harley Flanagan: "Everything that happened was in self defense"

This past Friday night (July 6th),  Harley Flanagan (founder of the CRO MAGS) attacked a few of bands current members. The incident took place at New York City's Webster Hall, during the CBGB Fest show that featured SICK OF IT ALL, CRO MAGS, VISION OF DISORDER, ABSOLUTION and SAI NAM. The incident took place right after VISION OF DISORDER's set, who performed right before CRO MAGS and SICK OF IT ALL!

According to the NY Post, Flanagan's victims were: William Berario, 45, who was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Michael "The Gook" Couls, 33 (current CRO MAGS bassist & member of the DMS crew) who was cut in the lung, under his left armpit to his heart and on his arm.

Today (July 11th), CRO MAGS founder Harley Flanagan and his lawyers gave the first public comment to NYNatives.com about the stabbing incident that he was involved in on Friday night in New York City. Here is what the website posted:

"Cro-Mags founder, Harley Flanagan himself and his attorney have told NYNatives.com exclusively in a statement that everything that happened on July 6th at the CBGB's Festival Cro-Mags show at Webster Hall happened in 'self defense.' Harley was not the aggressor and any and all of his actions were in self defense. This statement is in direct conflict with all major media reports covering the events which happened that night.

"On that steamy July evening crowds expected the Cro-Mags, billed as John 'Bloodclot' Joseph, Mackie, William Bereraio and Michael Couls the "Gook", instead they left disappointed confused and angry with a cancelled show and the impression that a disgruntled Harley Flanagan 'attacked' current band members."

Harley Flanagan tells NYNatives.com his story in an exclusive in-depth interview in the coming days.

Here is a detailed description of the events (courtesy of The Daily News):

"He first lunged at one of the men and slashed him twice in the side, the sources said. As the second victim tried to break up the fight, Flanagan bit him and slashed him near his right eye.

"Flanagan then turned back to the first victim and cut him again in the right arm and bit him in the left forearm. Both men were taken to a hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

"Flanagan, who played bass with the band, was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, cops said. A 4- to 5-inch knife was recovered at the scene."

Click here for all the details on this story!

Related links:
Click here to help out Mike Couls (one of Flanagan's victims)
Here is a statement from the Cro Mags
Here is a statement from Sick Of It All!
Here is a statement from the organizers of CBGB Fest!

Help Out Mike "The Gook" Couls, CRO MAGS Bassist Who Got Stabbed By Harley Flanagan!

This past Friday night (July 6th), Michael "The Gook" Couls (pictured above) was stabbed by Harley Flanagan (founder of the CRO MAGS). The incident took place at New York City's Webster Hall, during the CBGB Fest show that featured SICK OF IT ALL, CRO MAGS, VISION OF DISORDER, ABSOLUTION and SAI NAM. The incident took place right after VISION OF DISORDER's set, who performed right before CRO MAGS and SICK OF IT ALL!

As see on the NY Post: Around 8:15 PM, while the CRO MAGS were getting ready to take the stage, Harley Flanagan, 42, made his way into the venue’s VIP section toward the bands dressing room, sending nearly 30 guests on the balcony into a frenzy, law enforcement sources and witnesses said.

According to the NY Post, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek. Michael "The Gook" Couls, 33 (current CRO MAGS bassist & member of the DMS crew) was cut in the lung, under his left armpit to his heart and on his arm.

Click here for all the details on this story!

Thankfully, Couls is out of the hospital and is ready to keep rocking. Like most musicians, he doesn't have medical insurance and now has significant medical bill to take care of. This is why his family (wife and baby daughter) have set up a PayPal account. Here is a message from Couls' wife:

"PLEASE IF ANYONE CAN MAKE A DONATION TO THE MIKE COULS MEDICAL FUND IF WOULD HELP OUT TREMENDOUSLY. (MIKE IS THE CRO MAGS MEMBER WHO GOT STABBED 3 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO MURDER HIM) HE DOES NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND BELIEVE ME HE NEEDS YOUR HELP. PLEASE DONATE TO PAYPAL... MikeAndKrisCouls@gmail.com THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH! PLEASE REPOST!!!!"

Related links:
Here is a statement from the Cro Mags
Here is a statement from Sick Of It All!
Here is a statement from the organizers of CBGB Fest!

Was Harvey Flanagan Pushed Too Far? Read His Posts To Find Out Why He Snapped!

This past Friday night (July 6th), the CBGB Fest show that was taking place at New York City's Webster Hall, was cancelled after two current members of the CRO MAGS were stabbed by Harley Flanagan (the founding member of the CRO MAGS). The incident occurred right after VISION OF DISORDER's set!

As see on the NY Post: Around 8:15 PM, while the CRO MAGS were getting ready to take the stage, Harley Flanagan, 42, made his way into the venue’s VIP section toward the bands dressing room, sending nearly 30 guests on the balcony into a frenzy, law enforcement sources and witnesses said.

According to the NY Post, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek. Michael "The Gook" Couls, 33 (current CRO MAGS bassist & member of the DMS crew) was cut on his arm and stomach.

Both members of CRO MAGS are ready to rock!

Click here for all the details on this story!

The question that we all have, is what drove Flanagan to attack the bands current members on Friday night. Some say that on the day of the show, he was in high spirits celebrating his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and not worried about the CRO MAGS. So what exactly crossed his wires? Read this couple of posts that Flanagan posted on his Facebook page, to see what you make of it. Then let us know what you think at the comments section below.

On July 5th, Flanagan posted:

"Great training today Renzo taught class, I had some great rolls with some tough motherfuckers. Ate some brown belts... got eaten by some really good black belts :) its kill or be killed out there put em out or be put OUT! :) That's how u learn! ;)

"Renzo says to me what the fucks with these fucking faggots playing without you what kind of Bullshit is that? I said: 'hey people will turn on their own family or stab their friends in the back for money'. 'No shit', he said...

"My kids actually wanna go to the show they said they wanna hear how much they suck without me but I know that they just wanna hear the songs their dad wrote. So I reached out to John (Joseph) again today only cause I know the fans and my kids would like to see it and as always he said: 'No way'. LOL

"As usual greed and ego take over, I might actually bring my kids anyway just for a laugh but its a shame that even when I extend my hand "Bloodclot" (John Joseph's nickname) is still a bloodclot thru and thru to the end forget about how cool it would be.

"Fuck the real fans and the kids who never saw the real deal shit!

"Cromags used to mean something now its just a name to sell and make money off of. Like Pepsi or Ring Dings or CBGB's for that matter. Yeah NYHC is truly dead at least the real thing is, its just a job now for most.

"So sell what you can to who ever will buy it and make your money without integrity and go home and put it in the bank. It would have been fun but fuck it... they wanna sell used cars with fake parts. That's life... You can't force people to do what's right, I'm going on the road in September when I'm done with the new album for Southern Lord records... John can keep faking it, Hairplugs and all LOL. Maybe I will see him at the show, maybe my 9 year old will choke him out! LOL

"Family First Jiu-Jitsu For Life Hardcore till I Die"

On July 2nd, Flanagan posted:

"It sucks to Love someone that doesn't Love you. That's why you gotta Love yourself, if you can't do that how can you expect anyone else to Love you? I gotta remember how to do that. Lol. But at least My kids Love me so like I said before: 'with every new day with every new hour with every new minute and every new second is new chance to be a better Man then the one I was'.

"And that's how we start to Love ourselves again, by improving on our selves and who we are. I have come a long way, but I still have far to go.. but its ok!

"I'm working at it. And ill get there one day. And the journey has been something most people would Not believe! Lol. Thats All I got to say!"

Related links:
Here is some information about Harley Flanagan's defense fund
Here is a statement from the Cro Mags
Here is a statement from Sick Of It All!
Here is a statement from the organizers of CBGB Fest!

Fans Set A Defense Fund For Harley Flanagan After He Stabbed Current Members Of The Band! Does He Deserve It?

This past Friday night (July 6th), the CBGB Fest show that was taking place at New York City's Webster Hall, was cancelled after two current members of the CRO MAGS were stabbed by Harley Flanagan (the founding member of the CRO MAGS). The incident occurred right after VISION OF DISORDER's set!

As see on the NY Post: Around 8:15 PM, while the CRO MAGS were getting ready to take the stage, Harley Flanagan, 42, made his way into the venue’s VIP section toward the bands dressing room, sending nearly 30 guests on the balcony into a frenzy, law enforcement sources and witnesses said.

According to the NY Post, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek. Michael "The Gook" Couls, 33 (current CRO MAGS bassist & member of the DMS crew) was cut on his arm and stomach.

Click here for all the details on this story!

Following this ridiculous incident, friends and fans of former Flanagan have setup a legal defense fund. Harley is currently being held in New York for stabbing two people at CBGB Fest on Friday night.

From the donation page:

"On Friday July 6th,2012 an incident occured at Weber Hall. It involved Cro-Mags founder Harley Flanagan. All of the details aren't out, though certain stories are being bandied about in the court of public opinion. All of the details aren't going to get out, or get presented properly in a court of law if Harley doesn't get top notch legal representation. And he's going to have a nightmare mounting a defense rotting in the Tombs or Ricker's Island in lieu of bail.

"C'mon people,everybody knows Harley, he doesn't react short of reason. So he didnt just show up and do things because it was a dull Friday and he was bored.

"When I last heard anything from him, he's was exceedingly happy about passing his black belt test, and wasn't even discussing the Cro-Mags.

"Harley, no matter what you may think of him, has provided the NYC punk scene entertainment since his 1970's days in the Stimulators. The guy is a legend. And right now he's up against it big time, and needs a helping hand.

"If you can't contribute a lot, understood, everyone is tight these days, but you can still help by getting the word out. You can contribute as little as $10 to as much $1,000. We are trying to raise $50,000 for his defense. However we will be able to help him and his 2 little boys with whatever we do raise. Please give and spread the word. Thank you."

Click here to donate!

Related links:
Here is a statement from the Cro Mags
Here is a statement from Sick Of It All!
Here is a statement from the organizers of CBGB Fest!

CRO MAGS: Official Statement Regarding Stabbing Of Band Members In New York City

This past Friday night (July 6th), the CBGB Fest show that was taking place at New York City's Webster Hall, was cancelled after two current members of the CRO MAGS were stabbed by Harley Flanagan (the founding member of the CRO MAGS). The incident occurred right after VISION OF DISORDER's set!

As see on the NY Post: Around 8:15 PM, while the CRO MAGS were getting ready to take the stage, Harley Flanagan, 42, made his way into the venue’s VIP section toward the bands dressing room, sending nearly 30 guests on the balcony into a frenzy, law enforcement sources and witnesses said.

According to the NY Post, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek. Michael "The Gook" Couls, 33 (current CRO MAGS bassist & member of the DMS crew) was cut on his arm and stomach.

Both members of CRO MAGS were taken to Bellevue Hospital with non life-threatening wounds.

Click here for all the details on this story!

The band members of the CRO MAGS have released the following statement regarding this matter:

"WE... as a band are truly sorry for the way it all turned out in every regard even the ex-member who's family is now effected by his choices. Our prayers go out to them as well as Mike C., and the others who were hurt, but it was 'his' choice to come to our concert with a hunting knife, standing by our dressing door. Who knows what his actual intent was, obviously he wasn't there with it to cut bread for a peace offering as he was heard saying outside he was putting an end to us playing without him. Let's move on now & stop the trash-talking. Keep that PMA - that's what we are all"

Related links:
Here is a statement from Sick Of It All!
Here is a statement from the organizers of CBGB Fest!