Cro-Mags founder Harley Flanagan says he’s preparing to step away from the demands of full-time touring, explaining that decades on the road have taken their toll and that he wants to spend more time enjoying life at home.
In a post shared to social media on August 5th, the 59-year-old bassist and vocalist reflected on a touring career that stretches back to the 1970s, revealing that after the band’s current European and UK run, he only has nine more shows booked before taking a break to reassess his future.
Flanagan also revealed that he’s close to completing a new Cro-Mags album, which he believes could be the strongest record he’s ever written.
“I don’t know how many more I got in me… But it’s winding down….i’ve been on the road since the 70s. Even Stigma can’t say that lol. This used to be an escape from living in squats. I don’t live in a squat anymore. I still enjoy playing music. I just don’t enjoy traveling. I have nine more shows booked after this tour. I’m gonna take a break for a little while and think this through, my new album is almost done I have a few more songs to finish and it may be the best one I’ve ever written that’s all I want is to write one good album that really makes me happy. Then we will see what happens….”
While Flanagan made it clear that he isn’t retiring from performing entirely, he said the constant cycle of touring is no longer something he wants to continue.
“I’m not saying I’m gonna stop playing altogether. But I’m done grinding it out on tour. I’ll play when I feel like it, but this shit is done, touring is a young man’s/woman’s sport. I like to eat right, I like to sleep right and I like to wake up next to my wife. I actually love my life. I’m not trying to escape it anymore.
When you find happiness hold onto it. I don’t wanna spend my whole life on the road and die without holding onto the life I have created for myself.”
In a separate video posted the same day, Flanagan also disclosed that he has been dealing with multiple pinched nerves in his neck and lower back, making recent performances increasingly painful. He plans to consult both a surgeon and a neurologist after completing the remainder of Cro-Mags’ current European and UK tour.
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