John Joseph (singer)

John Joseph McGowan (born October 3, 1962) is a musician and author, most famous for his work as the lead singer of the Cro-Mags. He is currently the vocalist of Bloodclot.[1] He is a triathlete competitor, he writes about his "positive mental attitude" and vegan lifestyle, and he is known for his anti-vaccine stance against mandatory vaccine policy requirements.[2]

John Joseph
Born
John Joseph McGowan

(1962-10-03) October 3, 1962
New York
Occupation(s)singer, author
Known forCro-Mags

Early life

McGowan was raised in foster care,[3] and grew up on the streets of New York City.

Career

McGowan joined the New York City hardcore punk band Cro-Mags in 1981 as the lead singer and then again from 1984 until 1987, taking over on vocals from Eric Casanova. And rejoined in 1991 - He sang on a demo and wrote lyrics on the band's first, third, and fourth albums (The Age of Quarrel, Alpha Omega, and Near Death Experience). He also sings lead on the Before the Quarrel CD, essentially a reissue of the demo.

Before, during, and after his time in the Cro-Mags, McGowan served as a roadie for Bad Brains, and portrayed a mentally handicapped Santa Claus in a wheelchair pretending to beg for donations. He returned to the Cro-Mags briefly in the 1990s.

He also worked as a bicycle messenger in New York City from 1981 to 1991

McGowan has also sung for the bands Both Worlds and Bloodclot. 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 and Bad Brains.

Interviews with McGowan were featured in the 1999 documentary N.Y.H.C. as well as the 2006 documentary American Hardcore.[4]

Published works

McGowan authored Evolution of a Cro-Magnon (2007)[5] and Meat Is for Pussies (2010).[6][7]

Personal life

McGowan follows a plant-based diet. He was a vegan prior to becoming plant-based.[8] He lives a straight edge lifestyle, but does not identify with its subculture.[9][10]

McGowan was criticized in 2021 for his anti-vaccine stance on COVID-19 after he played a Bloodclot gig in April 2021 with no safety protocols in place against the spread of the virus. He described vaccination programs as "government overreach". He lashed out against Dave Grohl for requiring proof of vaccination for attendance at shows in July 2021.[11] Later that year, he caught the Omicron variant, but said he recovered "because I invested in my immune system".[2] He started competing in Ironman competitions.[12]

References
  1. Yablon, Elise (February 3, 2021). "John Joseph reforms Bloodclot with new members, releases new single". Metal Insider. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  2. Staff (December 20, 2021). "Unvaccinated Ex-CRO-MAGS Singer John Joseph Says He Beat Omicron By 'Investing' In His Immune System". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  3. Rogan, Joe. "Joe Rogan Experience #1152 – John Joseph". PowerfulJRE on youtube. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  4. Marcus, Steve (February 12, 2008), Three Thug Mice, archived from the original on February 10, 2017, retrieved September 25, 2016
  5. Finnan, Adella. "John Joseph, The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon". Responsible Eating and Living. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  6. Hillier, David (March 5, 2022). "Meet the 'vegan bros' here to bust the myth that real men eat meat". The Guardian. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  7. Williams, Lara (January 26, 2017). "The Rise of the Vegan Bro". Vice. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  8. Paul, Aubin (October 1, 2009). "John Joseph (Cro-Mags) announces "Meat Is For Pussies"". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  9. Ditch (October 9, 2008). "Interview with John Joseph – vocalist of The Cro-Mags". www.bigwheelmagazine.com. Pomona, California. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017. [...] I don't put X's on my hands but I'm straight edge all the fucking way. [...] I accepted the positivity, but like I said I don't need to wear my shit like a badge. [...]
  10. Conoley, Ben (August 11, 2008). "John Joseph (Cro-Mags)". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017. Straight edge, this and that. [...] I'm just saying, be yourself, I don't need a crew, I never needed a crew [...]
  11. Krol, Charlotte (July 20, 2021). "Cro-Mags singer criticises Foo Fighters for vaccinated shows". NME. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  12. "Triathlon: From frontman to Ironman". March 8, 2013. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
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