Malfunction

Album: The Age Of Quarrel (1986)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Cro-Mags made their biggest impact with their debut album, The Age Of Quarrel, released in 1986 when the East Coast hardcore scene was turning ripe. "Malfunction," from that album, expresses the frustration those on the scene had with the powers that be. "Maybe I'd be better off talking to a wall!" lead singer John Joseph screams.
  • Guitarist Parris Mayhew, lead singer John Joseph, and bass player Harley Flanagan were the songwriters in the group at this time and composed this song. Mayhew told Songfacts: "'Malfunction' is my favorite song off Age Of Quarrel. I wrote the music on my Martin D28 acoustic guitar. If it doesn't sound good on an acoustic, it probably isn't good."
  • Even while they were making the album, fissures formed in the band. It got worse after it was released; the lineup started shifting and they didn't get another album out until three years later, which stalled their momentum. By that time, John Joseph was out of the band, but he almost got the axe before it was made.

    "I wrote the music during a time when we were planning on replacing our singer, John Joseph," Mayhew explained to Songfacts in 2022. "Little did he know how close he came to getting the boot and not being the singer on Age Of Quarrel and probably didn't know until now. But we didn't end up replacing him at that time, but his days were numbered, but he did came back strong and wrote the deceptively excellent lyrics for the song which we all know today."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.