John Joseph (singer)

John Joseph McGowan (born October 3, 1962) is an American musician and author, most famous for his work as the lead singer of the hardcore band Cro-Mags. He is currently the vocalist of Bloodclot.

Early life
McGowan was raised in foster care, 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.

Published works
McGowan authored Evolution of a Cro-Magnon (2007) and Meat Is for Pussies (2010).

Personal life
McGowan follows a plant-based diet. He was a vegan prior to becoming plant-based. He lives a straight edge lifestyle, but does not identify with its subculture.

McGowan 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.