“The Best Gig I Ever Saw” is a weekly column that will see us ask a musician to chat about their favorite concert thus far. This week it’s Harley Fanagan of New York hardcore crew the Cro-Mags, who play with Misfits this week…

Show that made the biggest impact on me or best show I ever saw? That’s a tough one. Having grown up in the ’70s and ’80s, I saw a lot of amazing shows. One that comes to mind was the first Clash show in NYC — that was a life changer. But since this is an L.A. paper, I can tell you I saw a lot of amazing shows on the West Coast and especially L.A. in the early ’80s.

One that stands out was the Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, Bad Religion and the Farts at the Santa Monica Civic Center in 1982 (I think). It was the biggest hardcore punk show I had seen at the time. It was huge; there where at least three circle pits going on in the crowd the entire show. People cannon-balling off the stage and diving off the P.A. It was truly nuts — an amazing show as I’m sure anyone who was there would tell you. I actually got into an altercation with a member of a well known West Coast hardcore band at that show that caused a beef between our fans that lasted for years. Ironically, we are all good friends now. Can anyone guess what band?

Anyway, yeah, great show and good times — but honestly all the L.A. shows back then were pretty nuts. I remember playing Fenders many times and there was usually a riot, lots of fights and riot cops at the end.

I’ve seen a lot of great shows, but forget the past, I’m looking forward to the future and the upcoming gigs with the Misfits. That’s whats up!

Cro-Mags plays with the Misfits, Rise Against, The Distillers and the Anti-Nowhere League at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 29 at the Banc of America Stadium.