Age of Quarrel Re-Release 2022 

We have learned that “Profile” is re-releasing Cro-Mags’ Age of Quarrel. As everyone knows, they tested the waters last year with a Record Store Day limited release for which we asked them for an accounting. They refused- directed us to our contract (which we do not have) and basically said “sue us“ if you want to see it.

Let’s back up. The Cro-Mags signed with Profile through their imprint Rock Hotel, via Chris Williamson in 1986. Each member was between 18 and 25 years old. For counsel, they were given Chris Williamson’s Rock Hotel attorney and were not given copies of the contract. That’s where this started.

After going back and forth with Profile last year, we were plainly told if you want to see your contract you will have to sue us. Literally “we don’t produce contracts unless in litigation”.

Our goal is now, and has been, to have the players paid for their work on this record; that is it. Nobody has ever been paid, except perhaps Chris Williamson, and nobody has ever received an accounting for this record or for Best Wishes. There is no doubt there are terms in the contract so egregious that a court would throw them out. There is no doubt those egregious terms go on in perpetuity, as was common in those days.

The point of this statement is so basic. The facts are very simple. People seem to like the album. The musicians who made the album should be compensated for their work. They have not been compensated and are not currently being compensated and from this new release they will not be compensated.

I have gone out of my way to make sure that everyone who played on the recent and upcoming Live Cro-Mags releases from Back on Black Records, will be compensated. And this has always been part of my goal. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I will continue to do the right thing and try to resolve this. I have always been willing to sit down with all former members of the band to try to make everyone walk away feeling better about all of this; and am still willing to do so.

I am a fan of music. And I understand why people will want to buy the 2022 Re-Release of Age of Quarrel and why record stores want to carry it. And in a lot of ways, I don’t blame anyone for this. But I think it is important that you know that the musicians who played on and wrote this album will see nothing from its sale unless the label resolves it with us.

Several stores and outlets have chosen not to carry this re-release for the above stated reasons.

Harley Flanagan