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The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon
In his new autobiography, NYHC legend John Bloodclot Joseph recounts his hard times and spiritual redemption. A traumatic childhood in foster homes was just the beginning of John's evolution. Before fronting one of the most important bands in the underground punk scene, the Cro-Mags, John faced homelessness, addiction, betrayal and insanity. Still, even his success couldn't save him from a relapse that set him back to square one - rock bottom. The book is a raw and unapologetic autobiography about his life. Consider yourself warned.
582 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
62 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
John Joseph
2 books68 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Joseph McGowan (a.k.a. John Joseph) is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.
Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he departed and rejoined the band sporadically.
Before, during, and after his time in the Cro-Mags, Joseph served as an occasional roadie for Bad Brains, and he sang background vocals on Antidote's Thou Shalt Not Kill EP. He returned to the Cro-Mags briefly in the early to mid-1990s.
Joseph sometimes goes by the nickname Bloodclot, as when performing with his band of the same name. He has also sung for the bands Mode of Ignorance, Both Worlds, and Fearless Vampire Killers.
His autobiography, The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon , published in 2007, details the major events in his life, including his extensive involvement with the Hare Krishnas, as well his experiences with the Cro-Mags.
Joseph is also the author of the book Meat is for Pussies , released in the Spring of 2010 on vegan nutrition, training, and the healthy lifestyle. Joseph is a vegan and was a vegetarian prior to becoming vegan.
John Joseph McGowan (a.k.a. John Joseph) is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.
Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he departed and rejoined the band sporadically.
Before, during, and after his time in the Cro-Mags, Joseph served as an occasional roadie for Bad Brains, and he sang background vocals on Antidote's Thou Shalt Not Kill EP. He returned to the Cro-Mags briefly in the early to mid-1990s.
Joseph sometimes goes by the nickname Bloodclot, as when performing with his band of the same name. He has also sung for the bands Mode of Ignorance, Both Worlds, and Fearless Vampire Killers.
His autobiography, The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon , published in 2007, details the major events in his life, including his extensive involvement with the Hare Krishnas, as well his experiences with the Cro-Mags.
Joseph is also the author of the book Meat is for Pussies , released in the Spring of 2010 on vegan nutrition, training, and the healthy lifestyle. Joseph is a vegan and was a vegetarian prior to becoming vegan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 9, 2009
Whoa, John Joseph! WHOA! A little insight into your own sexism/heterosexism would have vastly improved this memoir & helped me relate a bit more as a queer lady. Nevertheless, I deeply value folks telling their stories & doing so w/honesty. This memoir is like a free for all- his words just flow out of him & the intensity never falters. So, props for that. Now if I didn't feel like I was punched in the gut every time he talked about women &/or queer folks...
April 15, 2019
My name is Trish McGowan John's half sister we have never met unfortunately I knew my father wasn't father knows best but I'm sickened by what he and his brothers and mother endured our Father died alone in an upstate NY motel
13 2016 his alcoholism and something very dark and deep kept him from being the contender in the boxing ring and in life he could have been I have always thought the good in me was my mom and I would get an attack of shorty syndrome throughout my life that was our fathers nickname I knew he had many regrets but just like I didn't know I had 3 half brothers I didn't know the half of any of it please write another one John a classic new York tragedy and thank God triumph for you
13 2016 his alcoholism and something very dark and deep kept him from being the contender in the boxing ring and in life he could have been I have always thought the good in me was my mom and I would get an attack of shorty syndrome throughout my life that was our fathers nickname I knew he had many regrets but just like I didn't know I had 3 half brothers I didn't know the half of any of it please write another one John a classic new York tragedy and thank God triumph for you
January 2, 2016
Yes he does often dip into political incorrectness but his story of growing up in New York City during the 1970s is genuinely interesting. More of a coming-of-age memoir than a rock memoir which is not a bad thing.
June 30, 2019
It's been a long time since a book affected me this much, and I advise anyone who delves into John Joseph's autobiography to proceed with caution. It'll eff you up! It's brutal, confusing, and honest. You may wonder if the "evolution" is ever going to happen. But I can't stop thinking about it. It has forced me to reflect on myself, my beliefs, the way I see the world and the way I exist in it. The writer is full of bravado and sometimes capable of serious insensitivity that passes as humor. He's a fighter, a real warrior. And his capacity for aggression is also his capacity for building a constructive, compassionate life, being an exciting artist, and advocating for a new kind of manliness.
First of all, I have to admit that my feelings kept changing about this incredibly long and detailed self-reflection. The reader's feelings about John swing from pity, to amusement, to anger, to disgust, to immense respect, and to love sometimes within the course of a single chapter. This is the story of a man who has constructed both a life and an identity from the garbage of horrific child abuse, dehumanizing bureaucracy, religious charlatanism, and peer betrayals, but also from an inner fire to survive and thrive that not many of us can lay claim to and an innate understanding (no matter how his experiences shattered it over and over) that even the most self-reliant of us withers and dies without friendship, love, and community.
For me, one of the most striking things was his search for an identity that would allow him to find that acceptance and security he needed -- to be noticed and admired. It was especially telling when he comes to the conclusion that he can only believe in a god with a personality, how much developing a solid, unchanging persona mattered to him. He often seems not to see his own contradictions, but still writes with unabashed, bald-faced honesty. In one passage he can exhibit a judgmental lack of empathy, and in the next reflect on a deep desire to help the world be a kinder, more enlightened place. He doesn't seem to regret much of the violence and abuse he's heaped on others. His ethics are much stronger in deciding how people should treat him than in how he should treat others. But the more I reflected, the more I thought that the true nature of John Joseph is that kinder, more caring person. It's just that the world John was dealt demanded lightning fast responses in order to survive. People had to be sized up and categorized according to threat level. When his needs for friendship and acceptance were met, he often let that guard down. It's hard to tell sometimes if the people in John's life really betrayed him as devastatingly as he describes it, or if his need for hypervigilance and self-protection led him to see their missteps as unforgivable personal attacks. But ultimately, I would not be this man's judge in any of those situations. In fact, I deeply admire the spiritual and moral progress in his life, even though traveling that life with him through this book is sometimes brutal beyond belief.
Now, I want to address some of the charges toward him of being sexist and homophobic. Again, I'm just going to say that not only do degrees matter, but intent matters. As a Gay reader, I too could see that I probably wouldn't feel safe or welcome in John Joseph's life. On the other hand, he has some damn woke reflections on homophobia in the hyper-masculine world of punk and hard rock. And you can see throughout this book that the relationships that mattered most to John Joseph have been his relationships with other men as mentors and peers. His affection for and from his peers is deeply loving. But as any Gay person knows who has grown up with a desire for same-sex, non-sexual intimacy, that need makes a child incredibly vulnerable to severe abuse. And John was abused exactly that way. For him to continue to seek throughout his life the liberating comaraderie he needed, no doubt he had to protect himself by drawing a hard line. If the dude has to play the "no homo" card from time to time so that he can express the love he feels for his friends, I don't fault him one bit. I won't address his objectification of women beyond saying that this is what happens when boys raise each other as happens for kids who live in institutions and the street. Again, if you don't see this guy in context, you don't see this guy at all. The dude's a gem that exploded out of a garbage heap and should be appreciated as such.
First of all, I have to admit that my feelings kept changing about this incredibly long and detailed self-reflection. The reader's feelings about John swing from pity, to amusement, to anger, to disgust, to immense respect, and to love sometimes within the course of a single chapter. This is the story of a man who has constructed both a life and an identity from the garbage of horrific child abuse, dehumanizing bureaucracy, religious charlatanism, and peer betrayals, but also from an inner fire to survive and thrive that not many of us can lay claim to and an innate understanding (no matter how his experiences shattered it over and over) that even the most self-reliant of us withers and dies without friendship, love, and community.
For me, one of the most striking things was his search for an identity that would allow him to find that acceptance and security he needed -- to be noticed and admired. It was especially telling when he comes to the conclusion that he can only believe in a god with a personality, how much developing a solid, unchanging persona mattered to him. He often seems not to see his own contradictions, but still writes with unabashed, bald-faced honesty. In one passage he can exhibit a judgmental lack of empathy, and in the next reflect on a deep desire to help the world be a kinder, more enlightened place. He doesn't seem to regret much of the violence and abuse he's heaped on others. His ethics are much stronger in deciding how people should treat him than in how he should treat others. But the more I reflected, the more I thought that the true nature of John Joseph is that kinder, more caring person. It's just that the world John was dealt demanded lightning fast responses in order to survive. People had to be sized up and categorized according to threat level. When his needs for friendship and acceptance were met, he often let that guard down. It's hard to tell sometimes if the people in John's life really betrayed him as devastatingly as he describes it, or if his need for hypervigilance and self-protection led him to see their missteps as unforgivable personal attacks. But ultimately, I would not be this man's judge in any of those situations. In fact, I deeply admire the spiritual and moral progress in his life, even though traveling that life with him through this book is sometimes brutal beyond belief.
Now, I want to address some of the charges toward him of being sexist and homophobic. Again, I'm just going to say that not only do degrees matter, but intent matters. As a Gay reader, I too could see that I probably wouldn't feel safe or welcome in John Joseph's life. On the other hand, he has some damn woke reflections on homophobia in the hyper-masculine world of punk and hard rock. And you can see throughout this book that the relationships that mattered most to John Joseph have been his relationships with other men as mentors and peers. His affection for and from his peers is deeply loving. But as any Gay person knows who has grown up with a desire for same-sex, non-sexual intimacy, that need makes a child incredibly vulnerable to severe abuse. And John was abused exactly that way. For him to continue to seek throughout his life the liberating comaraderie he needed, no doubt he had to protect himself by drawing a hard line. If the dude has to play the "no homo" card from time to time so that he can express the love he feels for his friends, I don't fault him one bit. I won't address his objectification of women beyond saying that this is what happens when boys raise each other as happens for kids who live in institutions and the street. Again, if you don't see this guy in context, you don't see this guy at all. The dude's a gem that exploded out of a garbage heap and should be appreciated as such.
July 26, 2017
Never give up!
There's a lot of hardships, a lot of laughs, and a lot of debauchery in JJ's memoir. I take away feelings of gratitude and fellowship from it. There's an urgency JJ delivers. He's asking us to pay it forward. Not money. Just knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. If you put good vibrations out, chances are you'll get 'em back.
There's a lot of hardships, a lot of laughs, and a lot of debauchery in JJ's memoir. I take away feelings of gratitude and fellowship from it. There's an urgency JJ delivers. He's asking us to pay it forward. Not money. Just knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. If you put good vibrations out, chances are you'll get 'em back.
January 22, 2018
My opinion of the author evolved and de-evolved throughout.
October 28, 2019
All in all, this book has been an extremely interesting read. It’s honest, brutal, eye-opening and tragic.
The shit thrown at John throughout his life is relentless, obviously a fair chunk of it was self inflicted but I guess when you’re in that world, the road out is all but invisible. You keep fighting, or you die unfortunately.
For someone born many years later, and on the opposite side of the world, it was a shocking insight into New York in the late 70’s and 80’s, especially on the lower east side. It’s an environment most of us would never dream of and if we were asked to create such a place in our imaginations, it would pale in comparison to the real dangers.
John is a fighter, and has always pushed himself towards what he has felt was right.... he got it wrong more than a few times however.
For those who have experienced abuse, homelessness, addiction or any significant adversity in their lives, this book may inspire you to keep on fighting the good fight.
For those who have been more fortunate, this book will open your eyes and reinforce all doubts that you’ve got it good.
Yes, there’s homophobic & sexist language, the N bomb gets dropped an awful lot also. Unfortunately, the book takes place primarily in the 80’s, not the greatest of times for political correctness, and whilst the book may have held up without the language, it kind of helps submerse you into that world. I do agree with some other reviews that this possibly could’ve been addressed with a little more of an explanation on johns stance as I could only assume his attitudes would of evolved over time.
What did bug be though, was his constant need to tell the reader how punk he was, and how anyone else who had not experienced similar was not punk, they were posers.... well, who are you trying to convince John? Us or yourself? Your story alone is enough for us all to make up our own minds. Yes!! You’re punk as shit! We know, we get it, we don’t need it re-enforced throughout the entire book.
That aside! This book kicks ass, the audio book is the best way to take this in imho as more than half of this book takes extra weight when johns voice is adding in a little passion or humour into it!
The shit thrown at John throughout his life is relentless, obviously a fair chunk of it was self inflicted but I guess when you’re in that world, the road out is all but invisible. You keep fighting, or you die unfortunately.
For someone born many years later, and on the opposite side of the world, it was a shocking insight into New York in the late 70’s and 80’s, especially on the lower east side. It’s an environment most of us would never dream of and if we were asked to create such a place in our imaginations, it would pale in comparison to the real dangers.
John is a fighter, and has always pushed himself towards what he has felt was right.... he got it wrong more than a few times however.
For those who have experienced abuse, homelessness, addiction or any significant adversity in their lives, this book may inspire you to keep on fighting the good fight.
For those who have been more fortunate, this book will open your eyes and reinforce all doubts that you’ve got it good.
Yes, there’s homophobic & sexist language, the N bomb gets dropped an awful lot also. Unfortunately, the book takes place primarily in the 80’s, not the greatest of times for political correctness, and whilst the book may have held up without the language, it kind of helps submerse you into that world. I do agree with some other reviews that this possibly could’ve been addressed with a little more of an explanation on johns stance as I could only assume his attitudes would of evolved over time.
What did bug be though, was his constant need to tell the reader how punk he was, and how anyone else who had not experienced similar was not punk, they were posers.... well, who are you trying to convince John? Us or yourself? Your story alone is enough for us all to make up our own minds. Yes!! You’re punk as shit! We know, we get it, we don’t need it re-enforced throughout the entire book.
That aside! This book kicks ass, the audio book is the best way to take this in imho as more than half of this book takes extra weight when johns voice is adding in a little passion or humour into it!
April 24, 2017
With a childhood right out of Charles Dickens, John Joseph is a true survivor. I don’t know if it gets more harrowing: placed in a criminally negligent and abusive foster home, the young protagonist struggles to cope, paving the way for stints in various institutions and correctional facilities. When he wasn’t in a home of some sort he was homeless or squatting in New York City during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. It’s a miracle he made it out alive.
John Joseph is a study in contradictions. At various points in his life he’s the singer of the Cro-Mags and a practicing devotee of Hare Krishna. He’s a drug addict and a vegetarian. He’s a wounded child and a violence enthusiast who dishes out street justice. He’s the frontman of an iconic hardcore band and AWOL from the Navy. He’s hustler and a humanitarian.
It’s a fascinating life but makes for a jumbled up book that could have benefitted from some pruning and a more linear approach. It’s not until fairly late in the book that insight into his career in punk rock eclipses all the information about his faith in Hare Krishna.
John Joseph is a natural storyteller who can hold on audience. When I met him at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books where I moderated a panel he was on I found him gregarious, outgoing and sincere. In person, he is a wildly entertaining storyteller. But as others have noted the language he uses to tell his story on the page is often problematic, especially when it comes to women and people in the LGBTQ community. I think he is a good person who is committed to charitable works, but for someone who has been judged, mistreated and taken advantage for so much of his life, it saddens me to see the lack of empathy for others.
John Joseph is a study in contradictions. At various points in his life he’s the singer of the Cro-Mags and a practicing devotee of Hare Krishna. He’s a drug addict and a vegetarian. He’s a wounded child and a violence enthusiast who dishes out street justice. He’s the frontman of an iconic hardcore band and AWOL from the Navy. He’s hustler and a humanitarian.
It’s a fascinating life but makes for a jumbled up book that could have benefitted from some pruning and a more linear approach. It’s not until fairly late in the book that insight into his career in punk rock eclipses all the information about his faith in Hare Krishna.
John Joseph is a natural storyteller who can hold on audience. When I met him at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books where I moderated a panel he was on I found him gregarious, outgoing and sincere. In person, he is a wildly entertaining storyteller. But as others have noted the language he uses to tell his story on the page is often problematic, especially when it comes to women and people in the LGBTQ community. I think he is a good person who is committed to charitable works, but for someone who has been judged, mistreated and taken advantage for so much of his life, it saddens me to see the lack of empathy for others.
February 28, 2012
It started out really well, then devolved into a self righteous rant by someone who has screwed over everyone in his life and tried his best to hurt people and is apparently proud of it. I do not deal well with the citing of supposed scientific facts from a random, uneducated former street youth with no factual basis or reference. John Joseph, I lost a lot of respect for you and it tints your music for me.
January 20, 2018
The amount of shit John has to deal with is insane.
Meanwhile, I'm cut that there's no paperbacks available in Australia.
-4/5 (audiobook)
Meanwhile, I'm cut that there's no paperbacks available in Australia.
-4/5 (audiobook)
November 9, 2018
Now going to lie I think I teared up many times in this book, but what seems to be sad in many cases, there's also a lot of funny moments and best of all inspiring messages.
May 27, 2021
Interesting life, interesting story. Not all that much evolution, though.
October 31, 2008
This book came highly recommended by some friends who said they could not put it down. As a punk rocker, I figured the stroy of one of the legendary bands might be an interesting read.
The story follows John Joseph (McGowan/ Bloodclot) from his early youth as a foster child into his life as a musician and writer. John describes his criminal activities throughout his life, his incarceration as a juvenile, his time spent in the Navy, his joining the Hare Krsnas, his singing for the Cro-Mags, and many other aspects of his life.
As a story, it is really powerful and easy to tear through. I was left with the thought that if even 1/10th of what John says he went through really occurred he led a really rough life and pulled through very well.
What didn't I like about the book? The aspects I didn't like came more from critical thinking than from the story itself. John puts out some things that are difficult to believe at best. His is also one of three different stories on what became of the band, The Cro-Mags.
I also disliked how preachy John became on Hare Krsna being the one true religion and blah blah blah.
John also demonstrates a great amount of criminal pride in his negative actions as a juvenile and an adult. For a person who is sorry for their actions, his words do not show it.
He also gives a big "Fuck you" to fans of his music who were inspired by anything aside from the religious message, stating he did not care at all about those who he influenced musically. After reading the book, I broke out my one old Cro-Mags album and gave it a listen. Alpha Omega was definitely not an influence to my band at all. Unless their other stuff is much better than Alpha Omega, I doubt they'll influence me in the future either.
The story follows John Joseph (McGowan/ Bloodclot) from his early youth as a foster child into his life as a musician and writer. John describes his criminal activities throughout his life, his incarceration as a juvenile, his time spent in the Navy, his joining the Hare Krsnas, his singing for the Cro-Mags, and many other aspects of his life.
As a story, it is really powerful and easy to tear through. I was left with the thought that if even 1/10th of what John says he went through really occurred he led a really rough life and pulled through very well.
What didn't I like about the book? The aspects I didn't like came more from critical thinking than from the story itself. John puts out some things that are difficult to believe at best. His is also one of three different stories on what became of the band, The Cro-Mags.
I also disliked how preachy John became on Hare Krsna being the one true religion and blah blah blah.
John also demonstrates a great amount of criminal pride in his negative actions as a juvenile and an adult. For a person who is sorry for their actions, his words do not show it.
He also gives a big "Fuck you" to fans of his music who were inspired by anything aside from the religious message, stating he did not care at all about those who he influenced musically. After reading the book, I broke out my one old Cro-Mags album and gave it a listen. Alpha Omega was definitely not an influence to my band at all. Unless their other stuff is much better than Alpha Omega, I doubt they'll influence me in the future either.
September 8, 2016
i've had a tough time finding a hard copy of this (outbid by £1 on ebay), so in the end had to surrender and get a free kindle reader for my iPhone and mac, just so i could finally read this. i have the audiobook (so great hearing john read it himself), but a lot is cut out of that so i was excited to finally have a copy of the book.
i couldn't put it down- it really is riveting and hooks you right in. i'm a sucker for new york city stories and it was so interesting to read about his experiences there and how disgusting the place used to be. i'm only 24, so the LES seems a bit of a dump to me (not that i don't love it, it's my favourite part of the city) but reading evolution of a cro-magnon, john really makes the images clear in your head, and i can imagine how it would have been a hell-hole back in the day, compared to nowadays.
the only thing i found kinda questionable about the book was his derogatory language regarding homosexuals, and his preachiness when it came to hare krsna- that was the only part of the book i felt myself edging away from. saying that, i was glad he decided to tell us about the scandals he knew about, which made it a little less preachy to read, ha.
not sure what else to say other than if you're a fan of punk/hardcore, nyc and a really good autobiography, get this. not for the faint hearted though, i guess!
i couldn't put it down- it really is riveting and hooks you right in. i'm a sucker for new york city stories and it was so interesting to read about his experiences there and how disgusting the place used to be. i'm only 24, so the LES seems a bit of a dump to me (not that i don't love it, it's my favourite part of the city) but reading evolution of a cro-magnon, john really makes the images clear in your head, and i can imagine how it would have been a hell-hole back in the day, compared to nowadays.
the only thing i found kinda questionable about the book was his derogatory language regarding homosexuals, and his preachiness when it came to hare krsna- that was the only part of the book i felt myself edging away from. saying that, i was glad he decided to tell us about the scandals he knew about, which made it a little less preachy to read, ha.
not sure what else to say other than if you're a fan of punk/hardcore, nyc and a really good autobiography, get this. not for the faint hearted though, i guess!
August 19, 2019
The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon ably narrated by John Joseph would seem from the cover to be the inside story of NYC hardcore band The Cro-Mags. That band is not really core to the content until Chapter 12 and I would be surprised if it rises to 20% of content. Certainly tours, shows and recording is not the point here. This autobiography, by John "Bloodclot" Joseph recounts his hard times and spiritual redemption from a traumatic childhood in foster care, hard knocks in the gritty city and a music career under rapacious management.
Joseph, after rastafarianism from The Bad Brains, came across the works of Swami Prabhupāda and he writes,
Not really preachy on the krishna-core front, Joseph's life AWOL from the Navy for several
years and living as a junky, bike messenger, and Bad Brains roady makes for a fascinating and engaging read.
The one "quarrel" I have with this audio edition is the frequent line repeats apparently not edited correctly when Joseph re-recorded a line.
Joseph, after rastafarianism from The Bad Brains, came across the works of Swami Prabhupāda and he writes,
If you ever read any of Srila Prabhupada’s books you’ll find out that what’s contained in their pages is revolutionary, because the real revolution is all bout throwing up the middle finger to this fucked up way of life and getting back to our original, blissful spiritual nature...
Not really preachy on the krishna-core front, Joseph's life AWOL from the Navy for several
years and living as a junky, bike messenger, and Bad Brains roady makes for a fascinating and engaging read.
The one "quarrel" I have with this audio edition is the frequent line repeats apparently not edited correctly when Joseph re-recorded a line.
January 31, 2009
Wow.Scary stuff.Some of it is a "he said/he said" in regards to Harley Flanagan,who quit or got fired when and what not.Rough life and a survivor.
He wouldn't let his mom come to his shows,even though his band was doing good and she was proud of him.Ever seen the Cro-Mags? I wouldn't want my mom there.Cro-Mags shows were a literal blood bath.The kid with a mohawk got pummelled on the first note.Skinhead girls fighting.Four pits.Raybeez from Warzone guarding the stage.It was awesome,
He discusses his Hare Krishna beliefs, but somehow makes sense of the incredibly violent shows his band did.Even the toughest of bands have a "mellow" song.Not the Cro-Mags.They were like that crazy kid shooting up his high school.The only break you got was when they were putting in a new clip.
Now he's doing volunteer work for homeless kitchens.
The good,the bad and the ugly of his life.
Update-I came across some funny promo clips on Youtube.He's also been getting a lot of flack for trying to book shows as the Cro-Mags.Harley says he would do a show,but it's not the Cro-Mags unless the two of them play.
He wouldn't let his mom come to his shows,even though his band was doing good and she was proud of him.Ever seen the Cro-Mags? I wouldn't want my mom there.Cro-Mags shows were a literal blood bath.The kid with a mohawk got pummelled on the first note.Skinhead girls fighting.Four pits.Raybeez from Warzone guarding the stage.It was awesome,
He discusses his Hare Krishna beliefs, but somehow makes sense of the incredibly violent shows his band did.Even the toughest of bands have a "mellow" song.Not the Cro-Mags.They were like that crazy kid shooting up his high school.The only break you got was when they were putting in a new clip.
Now he's doing volunteer work for homeless kitchens.
The good,the bad and the ugly of his life.
Update-I came across some funny promo clips on Youtube.He's also been getting a lot of flack for trying to book shows as the Cro-Mags.Harley says he would do a show,but it's not the Cro-Mags unless the two of them play.
May 31, 2013
This book was absolutely crazy. It's just amazing that everything John Joseph went through, he came out of it and is doing amazing things with his life now.
This book takes you through his life starting with his f**ked up parents to his foster homes, to St. Johns then his life on the streets starting at age 14. And not just any streets, the streets of NYC in the early 80s. It was crazy to learn that when I was listening to Cro-Mags in the 80s, he was still squatting because he had to.
Some of the book his totally one sided but its his story, so you'll have that. There is one discrepancy about Ray Cappo but you'll know that it was his guru and not him.
This is such a great book even if you've never heard of the Cro-Mags. Loved it.
This book takes you through his life starting with his f**ked up parents to his foster homes, to St. Johns then his life on the streets starting at age 14. And not just any streets, the streets of NYC in the early 80s. It was crazy to learn that when I was listening to Cro-Mags in the 80s, he was still squatting because he had to.
Some of the book his totally one sided but its his story, so you'll have that. There is one discrepancy about Ray Cappo but you'll know that it was his guru and not him.
This is such a great book even if you've never heard of the Cro-Mags. Loved it.
September 29, 2009
Holy Shit!
I listened to this on MP3 during Black Rainbow tour and it nearly broke my mind!
We pretty much only listened to John Joseph, John Wayne and The Frogs on tour.
Definitely a sick social experiment. It is read by John Joseph himself which is a plus.
Follow John Joseph to "The Deuce" selling fake acid with his buddies Bobby C. and Computer.
Follow him from his fucked up upbringing in the NYC foster care system to finding his guru HR and hardcore.
From knife fights in Alphabet City to Hare Krishna enlightenmet, this book has it all!!
I listened to this on MP3 during Black Rainbow tour and it nearly broke my mind!
We pretty much only listened to John Joseph, John Wayne and The Frogs on tour.
Definitely a sick social experiment. It is read by John Joseph himself which is a plus.
Follow John Joseph to "The Deuce" selling fake acid with his buddies Bobby C. and Computer.
Follow him from his fucked up upbringing in the NYC foster care system to finding his guru HR and hardcore.
From knife fights in Alphabet City to Hare Krishna enlightenmet, this book has it all!!
June 18, 2019
i heard him on the rich roll podcast and was blown away by his stories of violence in new york city. i was also totally blown away by how honest he was on the podcast. he is 100% authentic and uninhibited and i love it. this is a fascinating, sad and super inspiring story, i am amazed that he survived all that he survived and that he has remained so GOOD throughout and despite everything. i love this book and i love him. and the people who abused him and his brothers, there is a special place in hell - but since they did that, they are obviously already in their own personal hell.
September 23, 2011
i bought this book awhile ago and could never finish it. i won't write a criticism on John Joseph here that is another discussion but the book itself was very very interesting and I think people who haven't even heard or listening to the cro-mags or that type of music in general will get a rise out of this book because of the many struggles and experiences JJ went through. I'm glad i finished it and it will def stay in my small collection of books at home.
January 1, 2021
4.5 stars.
I wish I read this years ago, it’s been out of stock for
Mad long! That being said....
I loved this book! John Joseph is brutally honest, and pulls no punches.
He’s been there done that, had it, lost it, but never stopped, he could have easily been dead or in prison, but he never gave up, kept the PMA, and look where he is at now.
Don’t listen to me just read this book if you haven’t already.
THANK YOU John Joseph for sharing your stories.
PMA All Day!
I wish I read this years ago, it’s been out of stock for
Mad long! That being said....
I loved this book! John Joseph is brutally honest, and pulls no punches.
He’s been there done that, had it, lost it, but never stopped, he could have easily been dead or in prison, but he never gave up, kept the PMA, and look where he is at now.
Don’t listen to me just read this book if you haven’t already.
THANK YOU John Joseph for sharing your stories.
PMA All Day!
November 22, 2008
I find it hard to believe any punk memoir could beat this. No pun intended. Most importantly, the fact that he was in a band for a couple of years seems to be a very minor part of the book. Compared to everything else he was involved with it makes punk rock the most and least important aspect of everything in life, something I can definitely identify with.
December 19, 2017
Such a great dark book. That is like a real life version of “a series of unfortunate events”, without the family fortune. I also highly recommend listening to the audiobook version. Listening to John’s think New York accent and gravely voice makes it that much better. If your offended by someone being not PC, it may not be for you.
January 21, 2009
This book is like that friend who has a story for everything. You say "paperclip", he says "Time square. Public bathroom. 1982..." It's packed with great tales about 70's, 80's NYC. Unfortunately, you do have to wade through some Krishna and brown rice promotion, but it's well worth it.
February 7, 2019
Fascinating look into NYC in the 70s and 80s, the foster care system, early punk, and Hare Krishna culture, all through the eyes of the lead singer of the Cro-Mags, John Joseph, told in his gravelly NY accent. Loved it.
July 25, 2008
Awesome and insane. For anyone interested in memoirs, family stories, religion, punk rock, drug stories, spirituality, old-school New York City, teenage hooligan drama, adult hooligan drama.
July 12, 2012
This book will make you want to adopt a kid just so it can have a better life than this sorry guy did.
April 16, 2021
Not a bad read at all. Very interesting life filled with challenges. Probably wont read again but would recommend for a rental from library
May 2, 2021
Thank god this shit stain of a book is over. I recently had a run in with the man himself, and in case you were wondering, he’s still an asshole. #enlightened
July 19, 2022
What a terrific storyteller!
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