photo: Bowery Boogie
Details continue to trickle in about the stabbing that ended last night’s CBGB Festival performance at Webster Hall, a show several blocks away from the original venue that was to have featured Sick of it All and Cro-Mags in addition to Vision of Disorder, Absolution and Sai Nam. Following VOD’s set, Cro-Mags founding member Harley Flanagan stabbed current band member Mike “The Gook” Couls in the stomach and arm and William Berario was cut above the eye and bitten as well, the New York Post says.
Security quickly moved in and detained Flanagan, but since he’s trained in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, it apparently took six bouncers and his leg was broken in the process of his being subdued. A source tells us that bouncers were given a picture of him before the show and told not to let him in. It’s unclear how Flanagan gained entrance to Webster Hall with a hunting knife, especially if security was supposed to be on the lookout. It’s known that there’s bad blood between Flanagan and the current incarnation of the Cro-Mags, with him calling frontman John Joseph “a fraud” in an interview that took place earlier this year, saying “if John ever actually has the balls to back up all the shit he talks… step up and I’ll beat his ass.” Looks like Harley did the stepping, setting back hardcore 30 years to the bad old days.
According to Bowery Boogie, the CBGB Festival has released a statement about last night’s incident:
We are saddened to learn about the events that occurred last night at Webster Hall. Our primary concern is always the safety and experience of New Yorkers, music fans and the general public. Naturally we will fully cooperate with law enforcement while hoping for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Live music can be incredibly uplifting, empowering and positive. We don’t feel the actions of one person should overshadow four amazing days and nights of events that include today’s historic and unprecedented free concerts in Times Square and Central Park.
