A REAL Coney Island Gang: The Homicides

CleonsChoice · Post by **CleonsChoice** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:24 pm

In Charles Denson's fascinating history of Coney Island, Coney Island: Lost and Found, he discusses a 1970s era Coney Island gang, the Homicides, who believed that The Warriors was inspired by their exploits. They hung out on the Bowery between 15th and 16th Streets. Denson relates that when the film opened in Brighton Beach, the Homicides raised havoc at the theater, blurring the line between reel and real life.

The Homicides were known to steal the traditional black high hats (remember that gang?

) from neighboring Hasidic Jews, smash them down, and wrap bandanas with the gang's colors around them, creating a very distinctive gang costume.

LATEM · Post by **LATEM** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:23 am

CleonsChoice wrote:In Charles Denson's fascinating history of Coney Island, Coney Island: Lost and Found, he discusses a 1970s era Coney Island gang, the Homicides, who believed that The Warriors was inspired by their exploits. They hung out on the Bowery between 15th and 16th Streets. Denson relates that when the film opened in Brighton Beach, the Homicides raised havoc at the theater, blurring the line between reel and real life.

The Homicides were known to steal the traditional black high hats (remember that gang? ) from neighboring Hasidic Jews, smash them down, and wrap bandanas with the gang's colors around them, creating a very distinctive gang costume.

Interesting, really interesting. I always wondered what the real gangs' attitude was when the movie came out, particularly the ones from Coney. I have heard a lot of stories of people I know from my neighbordhood which is a few blocks from where the park gathering took place. These guys used to call themselves The Ballbusters and some old folks claim that during the early 80s there was an increase in gang criminality around these blocks. Probably our real bunch influenced them too!

Irishfan · Post by **Irishfan** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 9:31 am

Around the 19th Centuary, I don't know if this includes Coney Island, just about all parts of the city with docks was inhabited by river pirate gangs such as The Slaughter Housers, The Warf Rats, The Daybreak Boys and The Swamp Angels.

LATEM · Post by **LATEM** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:23 pm

Irishfan wrote:Around the 19th Centuary, I don't know if this includes Coney Island, just about all parts of the city with docks was inhabited by river pirate gangs such as The Slaughter Housers, The Warf Rats, The Daybreak Boys and The Swamp Angels.

Great observation, which brings us to another great movie that quite portrays this matter, Gangs Of New York.

Irishfan · Post by **Irishfan** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:54 pm

Yeah I like that movie a lot. The book is brillant its a really fascinating read. It explains how all the gangs of new york came into being and just what a bunch of scumy low lifes they were. Tis good.

Irishfan · Post by **Irishfan** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:58 pm

Furthermore the River Pirates were the most widespread kind of because they the docks were very poorly gaurded and they could get away quickly if they robbed a ship.

AjaxHasABigSwan · Post by **AjaxHasABigSwan** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:21 pm

They should record a DVD commentary, hahah.

Marlboroprojects · Post by **Marlboroprojects** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:06 pm

Interesting, really interesting. I always wondered what the real gangs' attitude was when the movie came out, particularly the ones from Coney.

Well, they weren't too happy about having their tags covered by the Warriors logo on the bath house, I'll tell you that much. A lot of boppers got bit parts as extras in the movie due to that & to keep the peace between the production crew & the gangs.

There were also several real gangs that fancied the idea that the movie was about them. The CI Rollers & Marlboro Project Boys come to mind.

BigJims · Post by **BigJims** » Thu May 19, 2005 2:37 pm

The ballbusters were one of the worst gangs nyc has ever seen.They used to hang out in a certain train yard in manhattan and just jap everyone who they encountered.Ruff gang

LATEM · Post by **LATEM** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:21 pm

BigJims wrote:The ballbusters were one of the worst gangs nyc has ever seen.They used to hang out in a certain train yard in manhattan and just jap everyone who they encountered.Ruff gang

Many of them are in graveyards now, others are doing time in jail. Some have reformed, but are still a bunch of assholes. I know a few of these myself. When I came to live to their turf I remember them opening the hoods of cards and stealing the batteries to sell them chip on the streets. Sometimes they used these to throw at police when they came to raid them. The cool thing about this gang is that they would always protect the people from the block from other gangs or simply from junkies. There were some who were real jerks. They would ask people for money and risk a beating if they denied the favor. There are some still around who fancy themselves in the past rather than coming to grips with reality and the times we live in.

Cheers!

LATEM · Post by **LATEM** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:30 pm

LATEM wrote:Sometimes they used these to throw at police when they came to raid them.

I forgot to specify that they did this from building roof tops!

Smacs · Post by **Smacs** » Thu May 19, 2005 7:34 pm

LATEM wrote:
BigJims wrote:The ballbusters were one of the worst gangs nyc has ever seen.They used to hang out in a certain train yard in manhattan and just jap everyone who they encountered.Ruff gang
Many of them are in graveyards now, others are doing time in jail. Some have reformed, but are still a bunch of assholes. I know a few of these myself. When I came to live to their turf I remember them opening the hoods of cards and stealing the batteries to sell them chip on the streets. Sometimes they used these to throw at police when they came to raid them. The cool thing about this gang is that they would always protect the people from the block from other gangs or simply from junkies. There were some who were real jerks. They would ask people for money and risk a beating if they denied the favor. There are some still around who fancy themselves in the past rather than coming to grips with reality and the times we live in.

Cheers!

Cool

The Rogue · Post by **The Rogue** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:43 pm

ya it would be awesome if ont he dvd or a special feature would be like soemone saying the real coney island story and how things were

LATEM · Post by **LATEM** » Fri May 20, 2005 12:30 am

the rogue wrote:ya it would be awesome if ont he dvd or a special feature would be like soemone saying the real coney island story and how things were

If you like to read, check out Coney Island, Lost and Found by Charles Denson. It is a story of the great Coney and also an autobiography of a great artist. I respect this author's candor. Check it out!

Hippy · Post by **Hippy** » Fri May 20, 2005 5:15 am

I made a thread like this a while back but I waited to see if it was true.

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