HardLore: Parris Mayhew (Cro-Mags)

HardLore is joined this week for an unbelievable and unfiltered conversation with Parris Mayhew, currently of AGGROS, but formerly the co-founder/original co-writer of legendary New York Hardcore band, the CRO-MAGS.
The Cro-Mags are inarguably one of the most influential and important hardcore bands of all time, and the sheer insanity and legend of the internal twists and turns within the band itself is the only thing that rivals the magnitude of their contributions to hardcore music.
10 years after his iconic interview with Rod Glacial that first appeared on Noisey (after he thought it was only supposed to be in a French magazine), we go over some key details from the interview and from the story of Parris' time in the Cro-Mags for some of the most riveting and controversial stories ever told on HardLore, and he shares all the facts about his new band Aggros. Don't miss this one.
Thank you Parris for joining us. Maybe world peace really can't be done...
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Episode Preview
0:24 - Intro
1:47 - Recording New Music
7:17 - The Noisey Interview
14:53 - Childhood/Discovering the Sex Pistols
23:08 - World Peace: The first Cro-Mags song
23:46 - The Origin of the Cro-Mags
27:52 - Thoughts on the Ramones
28:50 - Hardcore, Not Punk
30:13 - Rush - Anthem / Signs of the Times
32:07 - The record he’s most proud of
33:12 - Skins, Punks and Metalheads
36:14 - First hearing the term “Hardcore”
39:30 - “Steal My Crown” (Banger)
40:16 - Writing for Cro-Mags vs Aggros
41:21 - Thoughts on Hare Krishna
41:42 - It’s The Limit / His iconic BC Rich
46:42 - Hardcore today vs. 1983
50:23 - The Cro-Mags
53:00 - Who used the name first?
59:19 - Eric Casanova: Cro-Mags' Original Singer
1:02:07 - Krishna in the 80s
1:06:27 - Best Wishes
1:08:54 - Crush The Demoniac
1:10:23 - "Stealing" Riffs
1:16:00 - Alpha Omega
1:17:34 - Apocalypse Now
1:17:53 - Other Side of Madness
1:18:08 - Quitting the Cro-Mags
1:18:53 - Pardon this interruption...
1:21:49 - The Alpha Omega Heist
1:32:42 - Songs are Phantom Limbs
1:33:31 - The trauma of losing your art
1:34:02 - Why he came back for "Revenge"
1:38:39 - Playing shows before Age of Quarrel
1:39:59 - Recording with John for the first time
1:42:52 - Mackie
1:48:54 - Is Parris on speaking terms with the Cro-Mags?
1:59:04 - Music videos, Drew Stone, landing the Master Killer job
2:03:59 - Producing Master Killer
2:16:14 - Jorge
2:18:50 - Bo Gotta Know about The Beat
2:22:13 - BLOOD4PAPA
2:29:41 - The son of sam
2:31:50 - Blade Runner
2:39:23 - Final Thoughts

[@chrisbozeth1701]

As a founding member of Merauder and writer of songs on Master Killer, I was blown away at how strong, powerful, precisely organized the songs were. I never met the guy, but Parris took lumps of coal and turned them into diamonds… everything he said regarding the dynamics of the band is very true and resonates from within…Parris might be the unknown genius who set the benchmark and pushed guys like me to create this type of music back then…nice job general!

[@jasonhorton]

and All Out War if I remember correctly

[@behindthacrookedcross]

Awesome anecdote…

[@teh_ludwig]

Holy shit shit. I had to Google it to believe it. Thanks for the tasty riffs brother.

[@bexlyspeed]

Karate Chris

[@THEAGGROS]

Thanks Chris, another piece of the puzzle! P

[@nausicaa8179]

It’s nice to know that at least one person from this band isn’t cracked out of their mind

[@behindthacrookedcross]

For real

[@nieshvanterpool]

the gutteral laugh i just let out 😩😹🖤

[@js6527]

The Master Killer discussion was the hardest lore these ears have ever heard.

[@42itous]

- Parris wrote/played guitar on one of the greatest HC albums ever (Cro-Mags "Age Of Quarrel") - he directed one of the greatest HC music videos ever (Biohazard "Punishment") - and he produced one of the greatest HC albums ever (Merauder "Master Killer") that's a hell of a goddamn resume

[@DaveyBlade13]

The Master Killer of resumes

[@darijanbabic2]

Period!

[@gambit_fishing1013]

Yeah this was an amazing interview that should of sparked some good conversation in the comments for once. But all you got is a bunch of comments about Harding lore

[@DaveyBlade13]

This is the only time I’ve heard Cro-mags lore from a reliable narrator. Thanks boys. Well done!

[@carl3038]

This episode needs to be in the library of Congress

[@TJCombo67]

Despite the drama- Age of Quarrel changed things back then. I remember the day I heard it, went to a friends house after school and he said- check this out. He puts on the newly released AOQ and I was changed. Still spin it to this day and I’m 56. It was/is that good.

[@matthewgoodtimes3555]

Dude good choice of words !! That AOQ album changed things, when 1st heard that in 86 my mouth was wide open trying to smile it was incredible!! Actually if you look up the albums that came out in 86 it'll blow your mind. AF every band that was punk was making this new thing called hardcore, that's when the states got put on the global map for being badasses. AOQ is a timeless album and I can't even count how many times I've listened to it trying to get thru some hard times.

[@LBOTrecords]

Drink every time Parris picks up his Rise Of The Aggros record.

[@knoscody]

This is easily the best episode of any show/interview/podcast etc ever. SO FUCKING INFORMATIVE

[@jake_villanueva]

Clocked in with a cup of mud about to watch mr. Brothers.

[@ravenhawk8758]

This has got to be one of the best interviews that I have ever heard. As a guitar player/songwriter, I know the struggle that Paris talks about so well.

[@SmokerOfWeed]

Every Thursday I tell myself "These mfs can't top this" and mfs get to topping it.

[@lowend]

Initially I was going to watch this in segments, but ended up watching the entire thing. Much respect to Parris- he's always kept things about the music and not the drama. Also, the Aggros album is pretty incredible and unique- I recommend people to check it out if they haven't. Kudos to Colin and Bo for a job well done!

[@THEAGGROS]

Thank you

[@lowend]

@@THEAGGROS You're welcome!

[@Ondansefurr]

incredible episode with such an underrated and underknown figure in hardcore.

[@_antisocial__]

This one is really gonna hit home for me. Cro Mags and Hardlore collab is something I never knew I needed so much in my life.

[@scottgajewski3925]

Boys, you have out done yourselves! Next to the Jasta episode this is your best work yet. I've watched every interview Paris has done in the past 2 years or so and this was by far the best. Amazing work as always guys! P.S you guys should come to Connecticut in march for hatebreeds 30th anniversary home state show with 100 demons!

[@mitchpassero1641]

This was an awesome interview!

[@DH-hl5tc]

One of the best so far! AF next please 🙏

[@MarkDaniels2787]

This is so sick... It would be rad if u guys got jimmy Bower on the show

[@returntostrength]

Bower Power

[@sMoKEy131]

For me, 161 minutes have never gone by so f`n quickly! Epic Episode! Thank you!!!🤯🙏🖤

[@ehkitbraygan8787]

12 seconds in and I'm already so pumped

[@topdawggggggg]

thats what she said :(

[@TheHighestOrderHO]

The boys looking absolutely spellbound listening to Parris!

[@jonasbxl]

Great interview!

[@shawnwhalen8314]

Such a good interview ...gotta love Parris!

[@derekarmstrong1408]

Thanks so much for doing this! I have been a fan since the week Age of Quarrel dropped, it's great to hear the other side of the story.

[@okaight7248]

The lore in this episode is unbelievable. Bro is a real seeker of the truth

[@okaight7248]

also wow, someone from Cromags that acts completely normal

[@horizonxx_1]

Bands need a guy like this, most people won’t like it but it’s how to have a good band.

[@jjperera3389]

Fantastic interview

[@bobbrian1641]

Great interview! I respect this man. Subscribed.

[@bobbrian1641]

though you would think that Parris would have a better mic!

[@M.H691]

This was really great, thank you for making this happen. I laughed a lot during the Master Killer section, I love that record but I can't imagine trying to work with those dudes back then, Paris's frustration (20yrs + later) was evident: C# standard tuning with 9s 😂

[@John-rambo84]

I believe this guy over Harley and John.

[@sgtbucksauce9129]

I love that so many of these guys started out listening to punk and Motörhead. Loved the part about walking up to he Ramones guys at school. I bet we all have a similar story being a nervous 14 year old.

[@zippymufo9765]

Arrgos is some of the best riffs I've heard in a long time. I think people are so conditioned to expect vocals and 3-5 minute songs that they can't get into longer instrumental tracks.

[@gambit_fishing1013]

This interview was probably the most interesting one yet. From the start of cro mags to the production of Master Killer. Cro mags was a turning point for hardcore and a few bands have done that in the last 20-30 years.hatebreed andTrapped under ice comes to mind. TUI demo came out almost 20 years ago. They changed the game and there’s a few bands now that I think will be talked about and will be successful for a long time and that’s Pain of Truth.

[@coreylorance418]

This is peak hardlore. No lore has ever been harder.

[@fcaioki7949]

Can’t wait for the Jorge Master Killer interview brother 🙌❤️‍🔥

[@curtisbush5728]

This was absolutely phenomenal! Its like i woke up from a 20 year coma and found out everything i knew about life was a farce! You got harley and jon joseph stabbing and suing eachother and making up history as they go, and the genius behind the band is in the corner like, look at these fukin clowns! Lol! 😂

[@tvd1188]

Great interview.. I'm glad you brought up that iconic vice interview. Though, he didnt really say anything new in regards to that. I would of liked to hear about the fall out from that interview and what he thinks about the current iterations of the 'mags. But I really loved hearing about the Merauder stuff. It's a shame he didnt get into producing, he really has a keen ear.

[@gabesinclair1401]

needed this my god

[@MarkWhorror138]

Here we goooooo!

[@666Jakemetal]

Damn this was a good episode

[@joebreakerx]

This is the hardest lore so far. Camp C delivering the truth

[@michaelvollkommer1059]

Great stuff

[@kencrippyjr]

One of the very first shows I ever saw when I was 13 or 14 was All Out War and Parris/Harley Cro-Mags. I was only there for All Out War, and admittedly when Cro-Mags played I didn't really "get it" yet. All I knew was people were going apeshit for this band. Once I actually listened to Age of Quarrel, though, it was an instant all time favorite. Harley, John Joseph, and Parris are all great in their own right, but Parris certainly has the least obnoxious/douchey public persona. Glad he's the one that made it to the show.

[@KMKimo]

Time flew by on this one!

[@nickrooney6206]

When we getting a Jorge Master killer interview ?? Hit up Jorge Rosado & totally do an interview with him, He’s one hell of a dude & exactly like stated funny as hell and he’s got a lot to stay also..!

[@user-rm5il4uh3i]

This man is the Cromags! Aggros are the next big thing folks!

[@THEAGGROS]

Thanks

[@beat2life]

@@THEAGGROS Great record and great episode! you mentioned having tapes of Cro Mags practices, do any with Eric exist?

[@russellmcbride1242]

Matt Dillon's first movie was Over the Edge. Killer interview!🔥🤘

[@richardgiudice3631]

If anyone remembers puszone in Thrasher, that’s what brought me to Cro-mags

[@matthewgoodtimes3555]

Hell yeah I remember that artwork and seeing or learning about new punk bands outta that mag. Ya know what I recently remembered? Was nobody in the back then small tight knit circles of punks had band shirts from shows.. You mentioning Pushead reminded me I had a really good artist friend that drew one of the Pushead characters with a black sharpie on a white Tshirt.

[@Ho-oh37]

Incredible

[@MrDev1ls]

This lore is fucking me up fam

[@corycourtney8923]

Who up scaping their man over this amazing interview?

[@Guenonymous]

Something about him, I wish there would have been more of his type in Hardcore, he has more of an original, individual and free thinking personality and approach to the culture etc. nice to hear about how per usual, these genres were just loose terms that weren't originally so divisive or strict on what was what

[@jordancornell9364]

next hardcore episode, running backwards with Jorge?

[@armedxndxdangerous]

Hahahah this cracked me up!!

[@nickrooney6206]

Jorge has one of the best vocals .. master killer to this day is some of the heaviest shit ever proud to say I’m friends with jorge always was a good guy

[@Stuntman87]

😂😂 parris imitating harley is always funny 😂

[@cosmorobinson5776]

Real nice 👌

[@kookadams85]

Ag.frnt & the mags get so much credit but y'know which band surpassed em w/ their first/main album? Murphys Law!! 💯 🎶

[@THEAGGROS]

Great album, one of my favorites!

[@codienekoolcup]

just clocked in at work bouta get hard for my lore

[@jonathananderson5135]

I respected Parris a lot by the end, but him mentally erasing Blade Runner 2049 was the moment I knew I’d fight to the death for him

[@BabyGorillaTV]

I think I remembered seeing that Harley 10” acetate being sold at bleekers Bob in nyc but it was titled Harley children record.

[@Cleta0320]

insane episode. Master Killer to Blade Runner lets gooo

[@postlex]

Seems fitting to post/refer to here: this is Harley, Parris, Rob Buckley, and DiCenso in 2000; essentially the Alpha Omega creators, years after AO, White Devil, and Revenge. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ2wopapbNitnZIsi=QRZ-4DUpqBnEfgab // Loved Parris’ story about the Merauder record. Remember it coming out and loving it instantly, and still do. Shortly before the Nu-Metal hell. This was Cro-Mags meets Kreator, before the term metal core existed. At the time people thought the tempo was too low/slow. They were wrong. The definition and how deliberate everything on that record was is what made it a classic. // Aggros record is musically special too.

[@kookadams85]

27:55 He's outta his mind, the Ramones were THE band! Leave Home, Rocket to russia & Pleasant Dreams were head&shoulders above everything @ that time...

[@THEAGGROS]

Baskin Robins

[@dagwood1969]

I saw the cro-mags open for Mötörhead in Portland in 87’ or so and blew them off the stage. Parris was the only person in that band who could really play. JJ & HF are a joke and always have been. No one outside of their cult of personalities thinks that they’re worth a shit.

[@Pattyproblems]

My lore is rock hard

[@ferdinandgraf4881]

Rock on. Figo 👊

[@jacobmccallon9305]

I need Parris to drop the Blood4Papa merch link

[@PumpkinEater_1]

Bo makes me feel things I’ve never felt before

[@tomquirin4231]

hey brotha's .i am a huge parris fn here n ive talked to him thru email n i am music n best friends with tommy "rat" derosa fro warzone also here , super great guys , i am a new sub for ya n i only have email here n please tell parris i will always support him 1 million % forever n faithfully n i LOVE oldschool 80's n.y.h.c. all the time here , i collect cds , thanks > tom !

[@THEAGGROS]

Thank you Tom! I appreciate it. Parris

[@BreDawg714]

This is a great Interview I enjoy Parris sharing his thoughts and explanations and history, it’s interesting.

[@themadist2245]

Remember kids, lawyers are scum.

[@Livetoloathe]

The main reason for waking up on thursdays

[@andreasraissle7401]

What AC/DC song is he talking about at 1:10:15? Could be 'Let Me Put My Love Into You', right?

[@jayonez137]

Shot out to West Beth studios! What’s up Noah Evans!

[@yvavi6851]

Jorge Rosado episode!!!!

[@bryanfrombuffalo7685]

I was watching a video of Harley playing a festival in France.. that guys got issues

[@andytuck99]

who up harding they lore rn?

[@dylanshalom]

My lore is being hardened

[@TheHighestOrderHO]

I’m over here harding my lore, I got lotion on my lore right now, I’m just harding my lore, I’m lore-y as fuck man, I’m a freak man.

[@owlsen932]

25/8

[@codyr9951]

Got my lore all hard

[@Bill_Gluckmann]

My lore lowkey throbbing right now

[@grillaz6274]

Struggling to find the Noisey interview, do you have a link please? :)

[@xisotopex]

its amazing how harley flanagan tries to call every band he was in or started, or tried to start, prior to the cro mags, as "the cro mags".... on the wikipedia page mayhew isnt even credited with the formation of the band at all, it claims that Flanagan started the cro mags in 1981 LOL

[@derekarmstrong1408]

"Yeah this is pretty good lemonade, but, wanted a coke."

[@matthewgoodtimes3555]

WoW! Another angle/story about how the Cro-Mags was formed its was a great interview. One thing i noticed about Paris is he is definitely a creator, but notice how all his relationships have shitty closure? Every band needs a cheif IMO a group of regular indians cant get the job done. So i understand this dudes complexities, im looking forward to this album and i hope they do well and its not another FU do it my way then it all falls apart. Plus i do take into consideration how much different things were back then, the shows were a small tight knit scene being able to entertain a good time was the goal. AOQ is and will always be a great album, its a damn shame jearing all the egos and shady mind games. Therefore i also understand why Paris would mention who were his friends outside the band. Back then when AOQ came out it was a mindblower, i don't think anyone else thought there was much room for expansion and i hope this Aggros album answers alotta obvious questions. Thanx guys; TEO ✊🏾

[@AndrewJShirley]

I am fucking GLUED to this! As someone said, thank fuck someone from Cro-Mags isn't the worst type of person ha

[@MarkWhorror138]

Anyone else think that he looks exactly like John Christ 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@danthegreaser71]

Yeah! I was thinking the same thing and he even plays a BC Rich Bich

[@darijanbabic2]

People can say whatever,Parris is OG man,i have utmost respect for that guitarist,amazing musician....White devil stuff....Jeeeezzzz

[@reed6396]

huge shout out to Dave DiCenso for playing drums on some of the best Cro-Mags records ever (my personal opinion) & for also being one of the greatest teachers i’ve ever had.

[@mannygrossman]

Agree. His work on Alpha Omega was incredible.

[@kmhorrorbiz8706]

The Matt Dillon movie was Over the Edge.

[@THEAGGROS]

Yeah, correct I looked that up. I don’t think I saw over the edge. My bodyguard was my intro to Dillon. Then of course the Coppola films Rumble fish and outsiders. When he started coming to hardcore shows, alone I thought that was odd but cool. He was always around but I didn’t know anyone who befriended him. He was always solo. Something about Mary, fucking funny!

[@topdawggggggg]

indeed fucking HARD..LORE in this episode. i just wish parris would have reacted to colins fucking HILARIOUS adlibs and jokes

[@THEAGGROS]

I have to say, I could not hear them while I was talking because of a delay. I watched the conversation last night and cracked up a few times mostly because I didn’t realize that component was happening. I especially and my wife laughed when I said, “I couldn’t see myself playing a red guitar” and the photo popped up with the cartoon wah wah music…

[@topdawggggggg]

@@THEAGGROS im very happy to hear that, parris!! thanks so much for your time what an episode!

[@ErWo75]

He has that John Christ look (from Danzig). Or more accurately, Ethan Hawke playing the role of John Christ. They both even play the same model BC Rich guitar.

[@dominicdimas9188]

Oh shit

[@nausicaa8179]

I hope there’s hardcore drama after this ep. The tea is brewing

[@crswro1690]

grew up loving age of quarrel. all that krisna-core shit though really turned me off to all of it. good to know that even to members of the band it was corny as shit as well.

[@noahperkins2623]

this is wiiiildddddddddddddddddd

[@TheDeathSquad]

Parry rules

[@user-ob7kt3dc8j]

Merauder were killer!

[@rolandbrunault]

Aggros kick fucking ass! Nuff said Rj

[@THEAGGROS]

Thanks Roland, more to come. P

[@YourDemisIsMyRebirth]

1:49:00 for those who don't know, doug crosby is very controversial in the circles of pro wrestling and mma. He was the bad actor in Chael Sonnen's infamous "get in the hole" story.

[@chriscee546]

JJ still swears his the original singer 😂

[@THEAGGROS]

He also said he was a Navy Seal for 10 years, before the internet outted him. JJ has a rich fantasy life.

[@dollyfarton666]

ok do misfits next

[@JackOwensNewTeeth]

BLOOD4PAPA