I had the chance to sit down with Harley Flanagan — punk pioneer, founding member of the Cro-Mags, and the subject of the new feature-length documentary, HARLEY FLANAGAN: WIRED FOR CHAOS. Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winner Rex Miller, this no-holds-barred film dives into Harley’s life — from the violent streets of ‘70s New York to the hardcore scene that defined a generation.
This isn’t just about music — it’s about survival. Abuse, addiction, squats, street fights, punk gigs, Jiu-Jitsu, fatherhood — Harley’s lived through it all. And the film, which features interviews with Flea, Henry Rollins, Ice T, Michael Imperioli, and the late Anthony Bourdain, shows a side of him many haven’t seen before.
Now, quick heads up — there’s a slight audio issue on my end during this episode. I didn’t realize my mic wasn’t plugged in, so you’ll hear me through my laptop’s onboard mic. It’s definitely listenable, just a bit rougher than usual — but honestly, it kind of fits the vibe of this episode.
So with that, let’s get into it. This is Harley Flanagan — loud, raw, and real