John Joseph (singer)

John Joseph McGowan (born October 3, 1962) is a musician, author, and Ironman triathlete from New York City, most famous for his work as the lead singer of the Cro-Mags in the 1980s, '90s and 2000s. He is currently the vocalist of Bloodclot and Cro-Mags "JM".

Early life
McGowan was raised in foster care, and grew up on the streets of New York City. In the late 70s he enlisted into the United States Navy after drug charges could have landed him in a federal prison for four to six years. While in the Navy, he was stationed in Virginia Beach, VA, where he began to get involved with the local punk scene.

Career
As the lead singer, he joined the New York City hardcore punk band Cro-Mags in 1981 for six months until the band broke up, and again from 1984 until 1987, taking over on vocals from Eric Casanova after Eric did two shows. He sang on a demo and wrote lyrics on their 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 he sang background vocals on Antidote's Thou Shalt Not Kill EP. He returned to the Cro-Mags briefly in the early to mid-1990s.

He also worked as a bicycle messenger in New York City from 1981 to 1991, and continues to cycle around the city today, often recording it for his social media.

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.

Interviews with McGowan were featured in the 1999 documentary N.Y.H.C. as well as the 2006 documentary American Hardcore. He has also done some voice acting, playing the hippo in the cartoon Three Thug Mice. Since 2010, McGowan started competing in Ironman competitions.

Published works
McGowan authored the harrowing "Evolution of a Cro-Magnon" in 2008 which details his rough upbringing in an abusive foster home, early days on "The Deuce" in NYC and misadventures of the Cro-Mags. McGowan is also the author of the book Meat Is for Pussies, released in the early 2010 on vegan nutrition, training, and the healthy lifestyle. In 2018 he released a book titled The P.M.A. Effect on the idea of positive mental attitude made popular by the punk band Bad Brains.

Personal life
McGowan is a vegan. He was a vegetarian prior to becoming vegan. He lives a straight edge lifestyle, but does not identify with its subculture.