Misfits (aka The Misfits - The Original Misfits)

Years active
1977–1983, 1995–present

The Misfits are an American horror-themed punk rock band from Lodi, New Jersey. Formed in early 1977, they took the band name from Marilyn Monroe's last film and in fact, thanked the cast of the movie on the back of their first record. The founding members were: Glenn Danzig on vocals and electric piano, Jerry Caiafa (Jerry Only) on bass, and Manny on drums. Their first release on their own label, Blank Records, didn't reflect the characteristic anger and rebellion of most "punk" records, but instead a more brooding and sinister, yet romantic side lingering beneath. Following the single, Danzig and Only recruited a new drummer and added a guitar player and pursued the horror-based punk rock direction that they are known for. Danzig and Only presided over several line up changes, eventually culminating with Jerry's younger brother, Paul (aka Doyle) becoming the band's permanent guitarist.

The original Misfits broke up in October 1983, having released several 7" singles and 12" records, all of which were DIY limited-edition and most of which were hand-assembled by the band, that have long been considered prime collectors' items. The bulk of the band's material was released on Glenn's Plan 9 label. The band's popularity grew exponentially following their split and their material and tapes of their live shows were heavily bootlegged.

Following the Misfits' dissolution, Danzig formed a new band called Samhain while Jerry Only and Doyle, heavily in debt to their father over band expenses, stepped away from music to work full time jobs at their father's company. Between 1986 and 1988, Glenn continued to issue unreleased and out of print Misfits material. Some of the songs on these collections featured guitar and bass tracks re-recorded by Glenn while others were all new recordings of old songs performed by Glenn and his Samhain bandmate Eerie Von. These collections were released by Plan 9 records. Jerry Only eventually contacted Danzig about royalties from these releases which resulted in a lawsuit between the two. In 1995, an out of court settlement was reached that gave Only the rights to the Misfits name while Glenn maintained control of the publishing for the band's old material and the Plan 9 label was terminated.

In May 2016, Danzig, Only, and Doyle announced that they would perform together for the first time in 33 years, under the name The Original Misfits. Only told Rolling Stone that the reunion stemmed from a legal discussion that "was turning into another court battle and it turned into a reunion." Court documents show that Danzig and Only discussed a reunion as part of settlement negotiations as early as 2014. In June of that year, the Misfits released the Friday the 13th EP featuring material written by Only with his son Jerry Other on guitar and Chupacabra on drums. In September the Misfits lineup of Danzig, Only and Doyle, along with drummer Dave Lombardo and guitarist Acey Slade, headlined their two reunion shows, performing 25-song sets at the Riot Fest in Chicago and Denver.

In an interview with Rolling Stone following the first reunion show Only was asked about the future of the Misfits, and if there were plans to continue and possibly record new music. "I want it to continue. I know Doyle wants it to continue. I know Glenn wants it to continue. We just have to be big-enough people to make it continue. And that's where we're at. Whatever it takes. We're going into our 40th anniversary so the timing couldn't be more perfect. Eventually Doyle's got to write a new album; I've got to write a new album; Glenn's got to write a new album. Why don't we work together and make the greatest album ever? Now we've got different elements. We've got Doyle playing more of a metal kind of thing. We've got Dave, who we're trying to figure out what the fuck he's doing. And Glenn's got his own thing. And Acey (Slade, second guitar) fills in good, too. And I've got the band where it is today. So it's a matter of re-molding and using all the different elements that I've got." When asked if Danzig would want to record new music Only said, "I think it's got to evolve naturally. The thing is we've tried to plan things, and then we stand there and wait, and as it comes we'll just do it. When we go back – I don't know about Glenn – but I canceled our touring and everything for this, so I'm going to go home and write and lift

In August 2022, they announced an Original Misfits lineup would perform its second headlining show of 2022 on Halloween weekend in Dallas, at Dos Equis Pavilion on October 29, with special guests Alice Cooper and FEAR

Members: Acey Slade, Dave Lombardo, Glenn Anzalone (DANZIG), Jerry Caiafa
Former Members: Arthur Googy, Bobby Steele, Brian Keats, David Calabrese, Dez Cadena, Eric "Goat" Arce, Frank LiCata, Jerry Caiafa II, Jim Catania, Joey Image, Julio Valverde, Kenneth Schalk, Manny, Marc Bell, Marc Rizzo, Michael Emanuel

Danzig is an American heavy metal band from Lodi, New Jersey, formed in 1987, morphing out of the goth/punk/metal band Samhain. The band was conceived after vocalist Glenn Danzig was introduced to producer Rick Rubin following a Samhain show. Rubin was interested in working with Glenn but not Samhain so the duo set about forming a new group. Glenn insisted upon retaining the services of Samhain bassist Eerie Von. Guitarist John Christ, who had briefly served as Samhain's final guitarist, was also brought on board and, at Danzig's request, Rubin secured the services of veteran punk rock drummer Chuck Biscuits.

The first three Danzig albums displayed a heavy, blues-influenced heavy metal sound and were well-received by fans and critics. In 1993, the band scored a major hit with the release of the single for the song "Mother", which initially appeared their 1988 debut. The band's fourth release, 1994's "4p", showed the band moving away from their bluesier roots and adding more electronic elements. Biscuits left the band prior to its release and Von and Christ departed after the tour for the album. Danzig later claimed that it had been his intent from the beginning to work with different musicians in a style similar to Ozzy Osbourne, although some of the other original members have contended that Danzig was started as a band and not a solo vehicle for Glenn. Now also at odds with Rubin and his label, Danzig departed for Hollywood Records. With a new band and a new label, Danzig released "Danzig 5: Blackaciddevil" in 1996. The album featured a heavy industrial sound that was not received well by fans or critics. The situation was further complicated as Hollywood's parent company, Disney, was uncomfortable with their association with Danzig and pulled all support for the release. The label and band severed ties shortly afterwards.

Danzig continued with a revolving door of backing players joining Glenn. After the release of "Danzig 6:66 Satan's Child" in 1999, the band abandoned the industrial influences and began to return to a more hard rock/heavy metal sound, although they have not recaptured the same commercial and critical acclaim that the early Danzig records have had. In recent years, Glenn has voiced his dissatisfaction with long tours and has mentioned the possibility of retiring the Danzig band if he cannot pursue music the way he wants to.

In 1996, Glenn Danzig created the Evilive label to distribute his music.

Current line up:
Glenn Danzig - Vocals (1987- )
Tommy Victor - Guitar (1996-1997, 2002-2005, 2008- )
Johnny Kelly - Drums (2002-2003, 2005- )
Steve Zing - Bass (2006- )

Former Members: Bevan, Charles Montgomery, Dave Kushner, Eerie Von, Howie Kusten, Jeff Chambers, Jerry Montano, Joey Castillo, John Christ, Josh Lazie, Rob Nicholson, Todd Schofield

Website: http://www.misfits.com/ http://www.misfitscentral.com/
http://www.danzig-verotik.com/ https://www.7thhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Misfits
https://www.facebook.com/Danzig
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmisfits
https://www.instagram.com/danzig_7thhouse/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themisfits
https://twitter.com/danzigofficial
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMisfitsVEVO
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAa1fv7JsIFuBUWtH0ZaOA
DANZIG https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC_mZZGIrXN8NFakDKft4org
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7tShkbc4S5svD_xxO2VvA
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/misfitsofficial
https://soundcloud.com/danzig-official
Bandcamp: https://americannightmare1.bandcamp.com
https://danzigsingselvis.bandcamp.com/
https://cleopatrarecords.bandcamp.com/

Misfits - Crimson Ghost (Official Music Video)