The Misfits
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
The Misfits were formed in Lodi, NJ, in 1977 by vocalist Glenn Danzig and bassist Jerry Caiafa, who performed under the name Jerry Only. Their name taken from Marilyn Monroes final film, the Misfits added drummer Manny and recorded a guitar-less single, Cough Cool b/w She, on their own Blank Records label (later changed to Plan 9). Manny was soon replaced by Mr. Jim Catania, and guitarist Frank Franché Coma LiCata joined up for the four-song 1978 EP Bullet, which featured a notoriously graphic image of John F. Kennedy being shot. Although recording sessions had been held for a full-length album, to be titled Static Age, no record company would accept the results, and whatever material was not subsequently issued on EPs languished in the vaults until the 1985 compilation Legacy of Brutality. The Misfits began playing shows at CBGBs and attempted to obtain some greater musical stability with the addition of Whorelords guitarist Bobby Steele and drummer Joey Image. This lineup recorded the three-song EPs Horror Business and Night of the Living Dead in 1979, the latter being released on Halloween. An aborted tour of the U.K. supporting the Damned followed, and a frustrated Joey Image quit the band after Danzig was arrested in a bar skirmish. Things had not been going well with Steele, either, and upon returning to the States, Steele was ousted in favor of Jerry Onlys younger brother Doyle (born Paul Caiafa; sometimes known as Doyle von Frankenstein). Arthur Googy became the full-time drummer, while Steele went on to form the Undead. Englands Cherry Red label issued the legendary Beware EP in 1980, which contained Bullet, two tracks from Horror Business, and the Static Age outtake Last Caress; it became a ludicrously expensive collectors item in the years that followed.
Back in the States, more single releases followed over 1981, including the Three Hits From Hell 7 and another Halloween single, this one titled Halloween and containing two versions of the song, one a low-budget attempt at creating a spooky ambience. Another full-length LP had been recorded under the title Walk Among Us and was scheduled for release in late 1981, but a larger distribution deal was worked out with the Slash subsidiary Ruby. In 1982, the Misfits finally released their official debut album under the planned title, which proved one of the finest additions to their discography. Googy left the band around this time in a dispute over money, throwing off plans to record a follow-up; in the meantime, the live EP Evilive was released later in the year, featuring a guest appearance by Black Flags Henry Rollins. Future Samhain and Danzig bassist Eerie Von Stellman was nearly recruited to play drums, but lasted only a weekend; eventually, punk producer Robo was settled upon as skinsman, and the Misfits spent the rest of the year and the first half of 1983 recording Earth A.D./Wolfsblood, an album that tried to play up the more aggressive aspects of the bands music. Brian Damage was chosen as Robos touring successor, but barely got a chance to perform before Danzig disbanded the Misfits in late 1983. A farewell single, the three-song Die Die My Darling, was issued in 1984.
Danzig, who had issued the solo single Who Killed Marilyn? in 1981, immediately formed Samhain with Eerie Von in an attempt to pursue a more frightening musical direction to support his lyrics; Samhain eventually metamorphosed into the much more successful Danzig. The Caiafa brothers, meanwhile, formed Kryst the Conqueror, which managed only one five-song EP release. Misfits compilations began appearing as soon as 1985 on Caroline (Legacy of Brutality); 1987s Misfits compilation began whetting appetites for the large quantity of material that remained out of print, although Metallicas version of Last Caress and, later, Guns N Roses cover of Attitude hinted at what might be discovered. More compilations, as well as a four-disc box set, followed in the mid-90s, as the Misfits cult continued to expand.
In an attempt to cash in on the renewed interest, Jerry Only and Doyle re-formed the Misfits in 1996 -- without Danzig, instead recruiting vocalist Michale Graves and drummer Dr. Chud. American Psycho appeared in 1997 on Geffen Records, followed two years later by Famous Monsters. In 2001 that lineup issued the rarities/outtakes collection Cuts from the Crypt; it contained nothing from the Danzig era. The covers album Project 1950 followed in 2003. By this point the Misfit lineup included Jerry Only on vocals and bass, Black Flag vet Dez Cadena on guitar, and Marky Ramone behind the drums. In June 2005 Misfits Records (via Ryko) released Fiend Club Lounge, a collection of Misfits classics redone in a cocktail nation style.
