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{{Short description|American punk band}}
:''For the movie of the same name, see [[The Misfits (film)]]. A fictional band called Misfits appears in the animated series [[Jem (animated)|Jem]].''
{{For|the fictional band|Jem (TV series){{!}}''Jem'' (TV series)}}
{{more citations<!-- The article has a total of 18 {{citation needed}} tags, and a subsection marked as entirely unreferenced. -->|date=December 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Misfits
| background = group_or_band
| image = File:Misfits 2012-11-08 01.JPG
| caption = The Misfits performing live in 2012
| landscape = yes
| alias = {{nowrap|The Original Misfits (2016–present)}}
| origin = [[Lodi, New Jersey]], U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Horror punk]]
* {{nowrap|[[hardcore punk]]}}
* [[punk rock]]
}}
| spinoffs = [[Samhain (band)|Samhain]]
| years_active = {{flatlist|
* 1977–1983
* 1995–present
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Plan 9 Records|Plan 9/Blank]]
* [[Slash Records|Slash]]
* [[Caroline Records|Caroline]]
* [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
* [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]
* [[Misfits Records|Misfits]]
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
* [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]]
* [[Gorgeous Frankenstein]]
* [[Kryst the Conqueror]]
* [[The Undead]]
* {{nowrap|[[Gotham Road]]}}
* [[Graves (band)|Graves]]
* {{nowrap|[[Osaka Popstar]]}}
* [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]]
* [[Samhain (band)|Samhain]]
}}
| website = {{URL|misfits.com}}
| current_members = * [[Glenn Danzig]]
* [[Jerry Only]]
* [[Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein]]
* [[Dave Lombardo]]
* [[Acey Slade]]
| past_members = * [[Mr. Jim]]
* Jimi Battle
* Diane DiPiazza
* Manny Martínez
* [[Franché Coma]]
* [[Bobby Steele]]
* [[Joey Image]]
* [[Arthur Googy]]
* [[Robo (musician)|Robo]]
* Brian "Damage" Keats
* [[Dr. Chud]]
* [[Michale Graves]]
* [[Myke Hideous]]
* [[Marky Ramone]]
* [[Dez Cadena]]
* Chupacabra
* Jerry Other
* [[Marc Rizzo]]
}}
 
'''The Misfits''' are an American [[punk rock]] band often recognized as the pioneers of the [[horror punk]] subgenre, blending punk and other musical influences with [[horror film]] themes and imagery. The group was founded in 1977 in [[Lodi, New Jersey]], by vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist [[Glenn Danzig]]. Over the next six years, Danzig and bassist [[Jerry Only]] were the group's main members through numerous personnel changes. During this period, they released several [[extended play|EPs]] and [[single (music)|singles]], and with Only's brother [[Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein|Doyle]] as guitarist, the albums ''[[Walk Among Us]]'' (1982) and ''[[Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood]]'' (1983), both considered touchstones of the early-1980s [[hardcore punk]] movement. The band has undergone many lineup changes over the years, with bassist Jerry Only being the group's only constant member.
[[Image:Misfits logo.jpg|right|frame|The Misfits' canonical skull graphic was lifted from the [[1946]] television serial, ''[[The Crimson Ghost]]'', while the [[typeface]] is from the 1950s-[[1960s|'60s]] magazine, ''[[Famous Monsters of Filmland]]''.]]
 
The Misfits disbanded in 1983, and Glenn Danzig went on to form [[Samhain (band)|Samhain]] and then [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]]. Several albums of reissued and previously unreleased material were issued after the group's dissolution, and their music later became influential to punk rock, [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[hard rock]], and [[alternative rock]], including high-profile acts such as [[Metallica]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Green Day]], [[the Offspring]], [[NOFX]], [[AFI (band)|AFI]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]], [[My Chemical Romance]] and [[Cradle of Filth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/bands-influenced-by-misfits-metallica-my-chemical-romance/|title=Rock on - Bands influenced by Misfits|date=January 6, 2022|publisher=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|altpress.com]]|access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/the_classic_albums_the_misfitss_walk_among_us.html|title=The Classic Albums: The Misfits's 'Walk Among Us'|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar|ultimate-guitar.com]]|access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026122140/https://www.ilikeyouroldstuff.com/news/too-much-horror-bussiness-the-misfits|title=Too Much Horror Business – The Misfits!|date=August 12, 2020|publisher=ilikeyouroldstuff.com|access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wallofsoundau.com/new-music/the-misfits-are-returning-to-australia|title=The Misfits are returning to Australia|publisher=wallofsoundau.com|access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref> After a series of legal battles with Danzig, Only and Doyle regained the rights to record and perform as the Misfits. They formed a new version of the band in 1995 with singer [[Michale Graves]] and drummer [[Dr. Chud]]. This incarnation of Misfits had more of a heavy metal sound, and released the albums ''[[American Psycho (album)|American Psycho]]'' (1997) and ''[[Famous Monsters]]'' (1999) before dissolving in 2000. Jerry Only then took over lead vocals and recruited former [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]] guitarist [[Dez Cadena]] and former [[Ramones]] drummer [[Marky Ramone]] for a Misfits 25th anniversary tour.
'''The Misfits''' are a horror-themed [[punk rock]] (see [[horror punk]]) band formed in [[1977]] in [[Lodi, New Jersey]] and originally led by singer '''[[Glenn Danzig]]''' (born Glenn Anzalone).
 
This lineup released an album of [[cover version|cover songs]] in 2003, titled ''[[Project 1950]]'', and toured for several years. In 2005, Marky was replaced by [[Robo (musician)|Robo]], who had been Misfits' drummer from 1982 to 1983 and also played with Black Flag. This lineup released a single titled "[[Land of the Dead (Misfits song)|Land of the Dead]]" in 2009. The Misfits' lineup of Only, Cadena, and drummer Eric "Chupacabra" Arce released a new album titled ''[[The Devil's Rain (album)|The Devil's Rain]]'' in October 2011. In 2015, it was announced that Cadena would be taking a break from music after receiving a cancer diagnosis, and was replaced by Only's son Jerry Caiafa II, presented as Jerry Other. That same year [[Soulfly]]'s [[Marc Rizzo]] joined the band, also playing guitar. He filled in for Cadena, before Caiafa would become the sole guitarist for the band.
Glenn Danzig was very interested in [[Marilyn Monroe]], and took the band's name from ''[[The Misfits (film)|The Misfits]]'', Monroe's last film. The band's early lyrical and graphical focus was on retro (1930s-[[1950s|'50s]]) [[science fiction]], [[horror film]]s, and [[B-movie]]s.
 
In September 2016, for the first time in 33 years, Danzig, Only, and Doyle reunited for two headlining shows as the Original Misfits at that year's edition of [[Riot Fest]], along with drummer [[Dave Lombardo]] and second guitarist [[Acey Slade]]. The Original Misfits lineup has continued performing sporadically.
The early Misfits were often quite melodic, featuring Danzig's versatile singing, which had a style rooted in Italian tenors such as [[Mario Lanza]] and in 1950s [[doo wop]]. Early Misfits songs tended to have catchy, sing-along choruses backed by Danzig's distorted keyboard accompaniments. The band began as a largely untrained ensemble. The song "Last Caress" (a very rare track for years) is now commonly regarded as the epitome of an early-Misfits song, with blaring instruments and Danzig's melodic vocals finding a medium between [[Frank Sinatra]] and the [[Sex Pistols]].
 
==History==
By the original band's last album, ''Earth A.D.'', they had become a [[hardcore punk]] band, with Danzig's standout vocal tone floating over a torrent of thrashing guitar, bass, and drums.
===1977–1978: Formation and ''Static Age''===
The Misfits were formed in 1977 in [[Lodi, New Jersey]], by [[Glenn Danzig]], who had previous experience performing in local cover bands.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Greene|first=James Jr.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tx8dy6vPfDwC&q=piano|title=This Music Leaves Stains: The Complete Story of the Misfits|date=2013-02-14|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-8438-0|pages=11–13|language=en}}</ref> The band was named after actress [[Marilyn Monroe]]'s final film, ''[[The Misfits (1961 film)|The Misfits]]'' (1961). Danzig's first recruit to the Misfits was drummer [[Jim Catania|Mr. Jim]] and bassist Diane DiPiazza, however, DiPiazza never showed up. Mr. Jim was replaced by Manny Martinez shortly after. The two practiced in Martínez's garage, with Danzig on electric piano and Martínez on drums. The duo soon encountered [[Jerry Only|Jerry Caiafa]], who was dating a neighbor of Martínez's and had just received a [[bass guitar]] for Christmas.{{sfn|Greene|2013|p=15}} Although he was still new to the instrument, he joined the band; Caiafa and Danzig would remain the only consistent members of the Misfits until the group's dissolution in 1983.{{sfn|Greene|2013|p=15}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://thevogue.com/artists/misfits/ |title=misfits |magazine=Vogue |access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref>
 
Danzig, Martínez, and Caiafa rehearsed for three months without a guitarist, using Danzig's electric piano to provide the songs' rhythm. The band played their first performance at [[CBGB]] in New York City in April 1977, followed by other local performances over the following months.{{sfn|Greene|2013|p=15}} In May that year, they recorded their first single, ''[[Cough/Cool]]'', which they released through their own label [[Blank Records]] that August.{{sfn|Greene|2013|p=16}} Caiafa's surname was misspelled on the record's sleeve, prompting him to insist that in the future he be credited as "Jerry, only Jerry". "Jerry Only" became his pseudonym for the rest of his career.{{sfn|Greene|2013|pp=16–17}}
While Danzig lived with his mother in Lodi and was supported by her during the band's early career, Jerry and Doyle Caiafa helped finance the band by working long shifts at the family lumber yard, later founding a knife factory in rural Vernon Township (which often employed later members such as Robo, a citizen of Colombia). Misfits seldom mixed with other New Jersey punk bands, creating their own small scene locally, while holding early acclaim in [[New York]] and expanding it nationally, in part thanks to mailing lists and other networking, including their once-small, later-considerable '[[Fiend Club]]' [[fan club]].
 
In August 1977, guitarist [[Franché Coma|Frank Licata]] joined the band under the pseudonym Franché Coma, allowing Danzig to phase out the electric piano and focus on singing while pushing the band's sound in a [[punk rock]] direction. Danzig and Only deemed Martínez unreliable and was replaced by Mr. Jim. The band found a recording opportunity when [[Mercury Records]] wished to use the name Blank Records for one of its subdivisions and offered Danzig thirty hours of studio time in exchange for rights to the name. Danzig accepted, and in January 1978 the Misfits entered a New York recording studio to record 17 songs, 14 of which were mixed for the proposed ''[[Static Age]]'' album. The band were unable to find a record label interested in releasing it, so they released four of the songs in June 1978 as the ''[[Bullet (Misfits song)|Bullet]]'' single on their own label [[Plan 9 Records]], named after the 1959 science fiction horror film ''[[Plan 9 from Outer Space]]''. The other songs would see release on various compilation albums throughout the 1980s and 90s, but ''Static Age'' was not released in its entirety until 1996.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
The original Misfits broke up in [[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. Epigones from Lodi, New Jersey, include the bands [[Mourning Noise]] and [[Rosemary's Babies]], both of whom released records.
 
===1978–1981: Singles and early tours===
The band often wore [[corpse paint in heavy metal|ghoulish makeup]] when performing, and bassist [[Jerry Only]] invented a hairstyle called the [[devilock]] which is still worn by fans today.
 
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
A "touring" incarnation of the band is presently led by original member and bassist, '''[[Jerry Only]]''' (born Jerald Caiafa). Members of the touring group have included Marky Ramone (of the [[Ramones]]), and both drummer Robo and guitarist Dez Cadena of [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]] fame. Jerry's brother Doyle (formely a guitarist for the Misfits) is currently estranged from the group and is working with a new group named [[Gorgeous Frankenstein]] (2005). Doyle recently reunited with Danzig to perform special sets of Misfits songs on Danzig's 2005 tour.
 
Following the ''Static Age'' sessions, the Misfits began a shift in songwriting and appearance, with Danzig writing more songs inspired by [[B movie|B]] horror and science fiction films. He painted skeletal patterns on his performance clothing, while Only began applying dark makeup around his eyes and styling his hair in a long point hanging from his forehead between his eyes and down to his chin, a style that became known as a "[[devilock]]" and which both Danzig and Only's brother Doyle would eventually adopt. This new style and musical direction would later be described as the [[subgenre]] "[[horror punk]]".
==History==
===The beginning===
In January of [[1977]], after singing in several garage bands such as [[Talus]] and [[Whodat And Boojang]] that mostly played [[Black Sabbath]] songs, twenty one year old Glenn Danzig decided it was finally time to create something serious and original. As a tribute to [[Marilyn Monroe]], he named his musical project after her final movie, ''[[The Misfits (film)|The Misfits]]''.
 
The band performed more frequently and embarked on short tours in support of the ''Bullet'' single. While in Canada in October 1978 Coma quit the band because he did not enjoy touring, and guitarist Rick Riley filled in temporarily to finish the tour. Mr. Jim also quit following the tour, citing a distaste for the horror direction in which the band was heading. Within two months the pair were replaced by drummer [[Joey Image|Joey Poole]], under the pseudonym Joey Image, and guitarist Robert Kaufhold, also known as [[Bobby Steele]]. The new lineup of Danzig, Only, Image, and Steele began performing in December 1978 and continued to evolve the horror elements of the band. They released the ''[[Horror Business]]'' single in June 1979, the cover of which featured a skeletal figure inspired by a poster for the 1946 [[serial (film)|film serial]] ''[[The Crimson Ghost]]''.
[[Image:1977_The_Misfits_Promo.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Misfits, circa 1977]]
 
The figure became a [[mascot]] for the band, and its skull image would serve as the Misfits' logo for the rest of their career. The band also launched a [[fan club]] named the "Fiend Club" which Danzig operated in a [[do it yourself|do-it-yourself]] fashion from his mother's basement in Lodi, [[screen-printing|silkscreening]] [[T-shirt]]s, assembling records, mailing merchandise catalogs, booking shows for the band, and answering [[fan mail]].
For weeks, Glenn wrote songs and practiced with friends and old band mates, trying to find a suitable lineup of musicians to bring his vision to life. The first complete Misfits lineup consisted of Jimmy Battle on guitar, his old band mate Manny Martinez on drums, Diane DiPiaza on bass, and Danzig on [[electric piano]] and vocals. However, after only about a month of practicing, both Jimmy and Diane left the band. In need of new band mates, Manny suggested that his friend, Jerry Caiafa, should audition for bass. Jerry, a young football player who had been voted most popular in his senior class at [[Lodi High School (New Jersey)|Lodi High School]], had just received a bass guitar that [[Christmas]] and had only been practicing with it for two months. Despite Jerry's fledgling bass talents, Glenn accepted him into the band and offered to teach him how to play. After three months of practicing, the trio headed into the studio to record their first single, entitled [[Cough/Cool]]. The single contained two keyboard driven [[art rock]] songs which were quite different from the music the Misfits would later become known for. The title track was somber and poetic, and very reminiscent of [[The Doors]]. The band released the single themselves through their own label, [[Blank Records]].
 
In June 1979, the Misfits performed as openers for [[The Damned (band)|The Damned]] in New York City. Only spoke with singer [[Dave Vanian]] about the possibility of the Misfits touring the United Kingdom with The Damned. That November the band released the ''[[Night of the Living Dead (song)|Night of the Living Dead]]'' single and flew to England to tour with The Damned. Upon arriving there, however, they learned that Vanian had not taken his conversation with Only seriously and had not planned on having the Misfits on the tour. Vanian attempted to arrange for the Misfits to take part in the tour, but the band members were unhappy with the situation and left the tour after only two shows. Image then quit the band and flew back to the United States. With their return flight not scheduled until late December, the remaining band members stayed in London. Only spent time with [[Sid Vicious]]' mother, Anne Ritchie, whom he had befriended after Vicious' death in February 1979. Danzig and Steele got into a fight with [[skinhead]]s while waiting to see [[The Jam]], were arrested, and spent two nights in jail in [[Brixton]]. This experience inspired the later song "London Dungeon". Although in an interview on podcast San Clemente Punk, Bobby Steele tells a completely different version of the events.
Over the next several months, Glenn, Manny, and Jerry (who had adopted the stage name [[Jerry Only]]) played a handful of gigs (their first two at [[CBGB]] in [[New York City]]) as they continued to practice and forge their own sound. Their experimental art rock style was met mostly with confusion.
 
Upon their return to the United States the Misfits released the ''[[Beware (EP)|Beware]]'' [[extended play|EP]] in January 1980, then took a four-month break before adding [[Arthur Googy|Arthur McGuckin]] as their new drummer under the pseudonym Arthur Googy. During this time Only's younger brother [[Paul Caiafa]], a longtime fan of the band who went by the nickname Doyle, began learning to play guitar with help from Danzig and Only. The Misfits began working on an album which they planned to release through their Plan 9 label, recording twelve songs in a studio in August 1980. Doyle practiced with the band and loaned the band his gear for recording. That October Steele was ejected from the band, when Steele no-showed a scheduled recording session, in favor of the sixteen-year-old Doyle. Steele went on to form [[The Undead]], while Doyle made his debut with the Misfits at their annual [[Halloween]] performance at [[The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza|Irving Plaza]] in New York City. After several more performances, the band took another hiatus for six months.
By October 1977, [[British punk]] bands such as [[The Damned]] and [[New York]] punk bands like [[Ramones|The Ramones]] began to have an influence on The Misfits. They decided to take the band in a more punk direction by adding guitarist Franchė Coma to the band and ditching the keyboards, allowing Danzig to engage in antics typical of a punk frontman. Their sound, as evinced on the album ''[[Static Age]]'', was perhaps the most crisp, melodic, and powerful sound in punk at that time. They wouldn't draw on B-movies for lyrical inspiration for at least another year, and at this point their lyrics instead portrayed a futuristic [[dystopia]] of [[television]] saturation, [[automaton]]-like submissiveness, and glamorized sex and violence. As 1977 drew to a close, Glenn and Jerry decided that Manny was too unreliable and asked him to leave the band. He was replaced by Jim Catania, or "Mr. Jim", who had played in a previous band with Glenn.
 
After reconvening, the band selected three of the twelve songs from their August 1980 album sessions and released them as ''[[3 Hits From Hell]]'' in April 1981. Throughout the rest of 1981 they continued to record tracks for a full-length album, to be titled ''[[Walk Among Us]]''. They had planned to release it through Plan 9 but instead accepted an offer from [[Slash Records]], deciding to rework the album before its release. In October 1981 they released two more tracks from the August 1980 sessions as the ''[[Halloween (The Misfits song)|Halloween]]'' single. On November 20 they recorded a performance at Broadway in San Francisco.
At this time The Misfits caught their first big break. Mercury Records wanted to use the name Blank Records for a subdivision, but Glenn Danzig had a head for business and had secured a trademark on
the name. They contacted Glenn and offered him thirty hours of free time in a professional studio, in exchange for full use of the Blank Records title. Glenn accepted the offer and in January of [[1978]], The Misfits headed into the New York studio to record their first full length album.
 
[[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]] were also performing that night at the [[Mabuhay Gardens]] downstairs on Broadway, and Black Flag singer [[Henry Rollins]], a longtime fan of the band, came up to watch the Misfits' [[soundcheck]]. He stayed to watch the band's set and sang guest vocals on "[[We Are 138]]". The two bands crossed paths again on Christmas in Lodi, where Black Flag wound up playing as the opening band for the [[Necros]] and the Misfits.
Seventeen songs were recorded, featuring a unique combination of their early art rock material and the hard driving punk direction they had begun to adopt. Once the album was complete, the band shopped it around to various labels but no one was interested in releasing it. The album was shelved, and would remain unreleased in its entirety until 1995, when it was finally released as the ''Static Age'' CD. With no one interested in their album, The Misfits decided to take four tracks from it and release it themselves as an [[Extended play|EP]]. In June 1978, the ''[[Bullet_(album)|Bullet]]'' EP was released on their new label, Plan 9, which Danzig had named after the infamous [[Ed Wood, Jr.|Ed Wood]] movie ''[[Plan 9 From Outer Space]]''.
 
===1982–1983: Albums and dissolution===
===Rise to popularity===
[[Image:1979_The_Misfits_Promo.jpg|right|thumb|180px|The Misfits, circa 1979]]
 
[[File:doyle-misfits.jpg|thumb|175px|right|[[Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein|Doyle]] performing with the Misfits at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. in 1982]]''Walk Among Us'' was released in March 1982 through [[Ruby Records|Ruby]] and Slash Records. It was the first full-length Misfits album to be properly released, and the only album to be released while the early incarnation of the band was still active. A national tour in support of the album followed, and the band's performances began to grow more intense and violent. Danzig and Googy clashed frequently during the tour, and after a heated argument at a [[McDonald's]] restaurant Danzig kicked Googy out of the band, delaying their plans to record their next EP. They offered the vacant drummer position to their friend [[Eerie Von]], who had served as their occasional [[roadie]] and photographer, but he had already committed to drumming for [[Rosemary's Babies]]. Henry Rollins recommended former Black Flag drummer [[Robo (musician)|Robo]], who flew to New Jersey to join the Misfits in July 1982. Doyle graduated from high school and he and Only began working full-time at their father's machine shop, earning money to purchase new instruments, fund the band's tours, and press records, while Danzig ran the Fiend Club and continued writing new songs.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
Around this time, both Glenn and Jerry decided they wanted to take the band in a more horror-themed direction. Glenn began to write more songs inspired by low grade horror and sci-fi movies, and both he and Jerry began to adopt ghoulish appearances, with Jerry applying dark makeup around his eyes and Glenn painting bone designs on his clothes. The band started to play more frequently and began to go on small tours in support of the ''Bullet'' EP. In October of 1978, during a small tour through Canada, Franchė Coma decided he couldn't handle touring and quit the band before the tour was even complete. Guitarist Rick Riley stepped in temporarily to fill out guitar duties for the rest of the tour. Mr. Jim wasn't fond of the horror direction the band was heading in, and opted to leave the band once the tour was over.
 
In September 1982 the Misfits embarked on a national tour, with the [[Necros]] as their opening act. During the tour they stopped at a studio to record the instrumental tracks for their next EP. They were arrested in [[New Orleans]] on charges of [[grave robbing]] while attempting to locate the grave of [[Louisiana Voodoo|voodoo]] practitioner [[Marie Laveau]], but bailed themselves out of jail and skipped their court date to drive to their next performance in Florida. Following the tour they released seven songs from the November 1981 performance in San Francisco in limited numbers only to members of the Fiend Club as the ''[[Evilive]]'' EP.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
Within two months, Glenn and Jerry had recruited two new band members, drummer Joey Image, and guitarist Bobby Steele. Around this time, Jerry Only began to comb his hair in what would later become The Misfits signature hair style, which would later be dubbed the [[devilock]]. In December of 1978, after less than two months, the new Misfits lineup began playing shows together. Over the course of 1979, The Misfits further evolved the horror elements of their music and their imagery, effectively creating a new genre of music that would come to be known as [[Horror punk]]. Glenn and Jerry adopted a skull mascot for the band from an old poster they'd come across for a 1946 serial called ''[[The Crimson Ghost]]''. The Misfits released two more records on their Plan 9 label, the ''[[Horror Business]]'' EP and the "[[Night of the Living Dead (album)|Night of the Living Dead]]" single, respectively. They began to establish a small but loyal fan base and decided to start their own fan club, which they called the Fiend Club. Glenn operated the Fiend Club from his mother's basement, where he would print out t-shirts, assemble records, mail out merchandise catalogs, book gigs, and respond to fan mail, making the Misfits exemplary practitioners of the [[DIY ethic]].
 
By this time Danzig was growing increasingly dissatisfied with the Misfits and had begun writing songs for a new band project. In June 1983 he confided to [[Henry Rollins]] that he planned to quit the group.<ref name="coley">{{Cite news|title=Interview with Samhain|last1=Coley|first1=Byron|date=October 27, 1984|last2=Johnson|first2=Jimmy|pages=28–30|quote=Remember the Santa Monica Civic show? I quit that night. That was June 1983. I told those guys, 'That's it.' As a matter of fact, I told Henry Rollins that night too. He said, 'Wow, I've seen it coming though.'|newspaper=[[Forced Exposure]]}}</ref> In July 1983 the Misfits finished recording their EP, and Danzig decided to record two more songs that he had intended for his new project, turning it into a full album. ''[[Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood]]'' demonstrated the increased influence of [[hardcore punk]] and [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] on the band, though they would break up just two months before it was released. After a series of arguments with Danzig, Robo left the band in August and Danzig became further disenchanted, beginning to audition musicians for his next project.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
As their popularity slowly began to increase, many people started to consider The Misfits to be the American equivalent of the British punk rock band, [[The Damned]], whose singer, [[Dave Vanian]], adopted the look of a classic [[vampire]] and sang in a brooding [[baritone]]. In June 26th, 1979, The Misfits opened for The Damned at a gig in New York City. Before the show, Jerry spoke with Dave Vanian about the possibility of The Misfits doing a tour of the UK in support of The Damned.
 
On October 29, 1983, the Misfits played their annual [[Halloween]] performance at Greystone Hall in Detroit with the Necros. Danzig had selected Brian Damage (real name Brian Keats), formerly of [[Genöcide]] and [[Verbal Abuse]], as the band's new drummer. However, Damage became [[drunkenness|drunk]] before the show and could not play properly. After several songs Doyle escorted him off the stage and Todd Swalla of ''The Necros'' filled in for the remainder of the performance. Tensions came to a head and Danzig announced to the audience that it would be the band's final show. Upon returning to Lodi the band members went their separate ways.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
In November of 1979, The Misfits flew over to England for their tour with The Damned. However, Dave Vanian had not taken Jerry seriously and was surprised when Jerry showed up at his front door. Instead of turning The Misfits away, Dave tried his best to arrange for them to take part in the tour, but The Misfits weren't happy with the situation. After playing only two gigs, The Misfits dropped off the tour. Their return flight back to America wasn't until late in December, and so The Misfits were forced to kill time in England. Jerry spent some time with [[Sid Vicious]]' mother, who he had befriended after Sid's death. On [[December 2nd]], Glenn and Bobby went to see a show in London, where they were harassed by [[skinhead]]s while standing in line. Glenn broke off a piece of glass and used it to fend off the skinheads while Bobby ran to get help. However, when the cops arrived, they arrested Bobby and Glenn, for what they described as "threatening behavior". In an interview with Revolver Magazine in the October 2005 issue, Glenn went into greater detail about the event. He said the police found a knife in his possession and accused Glenn of being a "ripper" that had been stalking the area at the time. The police began to beat him, and Glenn fought back. He claims he did considerable damage to the police before they were finally able to subdue him. Glenn and Bobby then spent two nights jailed up in the London district of [[Brixton]], during which time Glenn wrote the lyrics to the future Misfits song, "London Dungeon".
 
===1984–1995: New projects and legal battles===
[[Image:%2781_Jerry_%26_Glenn.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Jerry Only and Glenn Danzig, circa 1981]]
Following the breakup of the Misfits, Danzig launched his new band [[Samhain (band)|Samhain]], moving away from [[punk rock]], and toward more experimental [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] with a grim atmosphere. Several Misfits songs were rerecorded for Samhain albums, including "Horror Business" (as "Horror Biz"), "All Hell Breaks Loose" (as "All Hell"), and "Halloween II". In 1986, the band signed to a major record label and Danzig replaced most of the [[rhythm section]], renaming the group [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]]. He continues to front Danzig, who have released ten albums ranging in style from [[blues rock]]-influenced heavy metal to [[industrial rock]], and has also released two solo albums.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
 
Jerry Only and Doyle, meanwhile, moved to [[Vernon Township, New Jersey|Vernon, New Jersey]] to work at their father's machine parts factory full-time. Jerry Only had married and had a daughter and became more serious about his Christian faith, regretting some of the things he had done with the Misfits. In 1987, he and Doyle formed the short-lived [[Kryst the Conqueror]], a [[Christian heavy metal]] band with barbarian imagery.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
After the failed European tour, Joey Image decided to leave the band, and later formed the band The Mary Tyler Whores. Upon their return to America, The Misfits released the ''[[Beware]]'' EP through Plan 9 Records and decided to take a short hiatus from the band in order to recover from their bad experience in England. After a four month break, Arthur Googy was recruited as the new drummer. Around this time, Jerry's little brother, Doyle, who was a huge fan of the band, started learning to play guitar with help from Glenn and Jerry. The Misfits began working on a full length album, which they planned to release through Plan 9. In August of 1980, they went into the studio and recorded twelve songs. Jerry began to persuade Glenn that Doyle would fit into the band much better than Bobby Steele. Doyle began to practice with the band and even entered the studio to record his own guitar tracks for the twelve songs they had recorded. Bobby has said that during this time period, Jerry would purposely neglect to inform him of practices, in order to make Bobby look bad. Jerry denies these accusations. Regardless, in October of 1980, shortly before the band's annual Halloween show, Jerry informed Bobby that he was being replaced by Doyle, who was only sixteen at the time. Bobby Steele went on to form his own punk band a few months later, called "[[The Undead]]". On Halloween of [[1980]], what many people consider to be the classic Misfits lineup, made its debut.
 
Although the Misfits' popularity did not extend beyond the underground punk scene during their six years of activity, public interest in the band increased in the years following their breakup. The success of Danzig's post-Misfits' work led to interest in his past work, and several high-profile rock bands professed fondness for the Misfits. Most notably, [[Metallica]] [[cover version|covered]] the Misfits songs "[[Last Caress]]" and "[[Green Hell (song)|Green Hell]]" on ''[[The $5.98 E.P. - Garage Days Re-Revisited]]'' (1987), and [[Guns N' Roses]] covered "[[Attitude (Misfits song)|Attitude]]" on ''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'' (1993). Several albums of reissued and previously unreleased Misfits material were issued between 1985 and 1987, the first being the [[compilation album]] ''[[Legacy of Brutality]]'' (1985) which included many of the songs from the unreleased ''[[Static Age]]'' album. Danzig [[overdubbing|overdubbed]] many of the album's instrument tracks to avoid having to pay [[royalties]] to the other former band members. ''[[Collection I|Misfits]]'', more commonly referred to as ''Collection I'', followed in 1986. The ''[[Evilive]]'' EP was reissued as a full album in 1987 with five additional tracks.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
After only playing a few shows with the new lineup, they took a six month break from the band. During this time, instead of releasing the entire album they had recorded, they selected three songs from it and released it as the ''[[3 Hits from Hell]]'' EP (in 2002, Caroline Records had planned to finally releasing the entire album, which they called ''[[12 Hits From Hell]]'', but the release was cancelled at the last moment at Jerry and Glenn's request). Throughout the year of 1981, The Misfits continued to go into the studio to record tracks for a full length release, which they planned on calling ''Walk Among Us''. Although they had planned on releasing the full length themselves through Plan 9, they got an unexpected offer from Slash Records to release the album. They accepted the offer and decided to rework the album before releasing it. On Halloween of 1981, The Misfits released the "Halloween" single through Plan 9, which consisted of two more tracks from the shelved full length they had recorded the previous summer.
 
Only contacted Danzig about receiving a portion of the royalties from these albums' sales, beginning a legal battle that lasted several years and involved other past members of the band. All of the Misfits material had been credited to Danzig, and though Only later conceded that Danzig had written nearly all of the lyrics and most of the music, he contended that he and Doyle "wrote 25% or maybe 30% of the music"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizinemag.com/music/music-0309_jerryonly.htm|title=Citizine Interview – Misfits' Jerry Only (Glenn Danzig, Ramones|date=September 2, 2003|publisher=Citizinemag.com|access-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718134616/http://www.citizinemag.com/music/music-0309_jerryonly.htm|archive-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> and deserved compensation. Danzig, however, insisted that he had written all of the songs in their entirety and that the other members' creative input had been minimal. Eventually Only ceased his pursuit of songwriting credits and sought the rights to use the Misfits name and imagery, including the now-famous "Crimson Ghost" skull face logo.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
In [[1981]], Glenn wrote the song "Archangel" for The Damned vocalist Dave Vanian to sing with The Misfits backing him. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Dave never recorded vocals for the song and it was set aside until 1983, when Glenn decided to re-record it with his next band, [[Samhain (band)|Samhain]].
 
In 1995, the parties reached an out-of-court settlement that allowed Only and Doyle to record and perform as the Misfits, sharing merchandising rights with Danzig. ''[[Collection II]]'', a third compilation of Misfits songs, was released later that year.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
===''Walk Among Us''===
[[Image:%2782_Misfits.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The "classic" lineup, circa 1982]]
In March of 1982, [[Ruby Records|Ruby]]/[[Slash Records]] released ''[[Walk Among Us]]'', the first full length Misfits album to be available to the public. ''Walk Among Us'' would later be considered by most fans to be the quintessential Misfits album, as well as one of the best punk albums of all time. The band began playing shows again after nearly a year. They started to become notorious for their intense stage presence and brutal live performances. Doyle was a sports jock like his brother, and shared his linebacker physique, which, coupled with their ghoulish appearance, made for quite intimidating axemen. Between the brothers, Glenn Danzig would bellow out his morbid lyrics while thrashing around on stage or crawling around on the floor, often throwing and receiving punches from the crowd. Despite Glenn's smaller stature at 5'5" or 5'6", he was fond of fighting, and enjoyed taunting the crowd, and instigating violence.
 
===1995–2000: Reformation and new lineup===
Perhaps the most infamously violent Misfits show took place in San Francisco on [[April 10]]th, [[1982]]. During the show some people in the crowd began to throw cans of beer at the stage. After Doyle was nearly hit in the head with a full beer can, he smashed his guitar over a crowd member's head, instigating a full out riot.
[[File:Misfits (Michael Graves).gif|240px|thumb|right|Misfits performing live in 1998]]
Only and Doyle immediately set about reforming the Misfits, bringing in drummer [[Dr. Chud|David Calabrese]], also known as Dr. Chud, who had worked with them in Kryst the Conqueror. Glenn Danzig refused to return as the band's lead singer. [[Dave Vanian]] of [[The Damned (band)|The Damned]] was also approached but declined. The band, now reformed with one original founding member, Jerry Only, held open auditions for a new vocalist. Nineteen-year-old singer [[Michale Graves|Michael Emanuel]] had recently recorded a demo tape in hopes of starting a music career, and the owner of the recording studio suggested that he audition for the Misfits. Being unfamiliar with the band, Emanuel listened to ''Collection I'' on a [[walkman]] to learn the lyrics and melodies while working his job as a greenskeeper. He impressed the band with his audition and was accepted as the new lead singer under the pseudonym Michale Graves, while Doyle adopted the new stage full name Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein. The new lineup made an appearance in the 1995 film ''[[Animal Room]]''.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
 
In 1996, [[The Misfits (album)|''The Misfits'' coffin box set]] was released, containing nearly all of the band's Danzig-era material recorded from 1977 to 1983 (with the exception of ''[[Walk Among Us]]''). The set included the incomplete fourteen-song ''Static Age'' album, released for the first time in its entirety on CD, as well as the overdubbed and alternate versions of songs that had previously been released on ''Legacy of Brutality'', ''Collection I'', and ''Collection II''. ''Static Age'' was also released as a separate album the following year, including all seventeen tracks that had been recorded during the January 1978 sessions. The release of the box set and ''Static Age'' made the Misfits' complete early catalog widely available for the first time.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
A couple days later, on April 15th, the band stopped at McDonalds for food. Arthur Googy wanted to get two cheeseburgers, but Glenn told him they were too low on money and that he could only get one. Tensions started to rise, and the two came close to exchanging blows. Arthur quit the band and The Misfits had to cancel their plans to record their next EP, which they had planned on calling ''Earth A.D.''.
 
A [[tribute album]] was also released in 1997 titled ''[[Violent World: A Tribute to the Misfits]]'', featuring numerous [[punk rock]] and [[hardcore punk|hardcore]] bands covering their songs. Another tribute album, ''[[Hell on Earth: A Tribute to the Misfits]]'', was released in 2000 featuring [[death metal]], [[hard rock]], and [[gothic rock]] acts.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
In need of a drummer, they offered the role to Doyle's friend and classmate, [[Eerie Von]], who had served as a photographer for The Misfits. Eerie reluctantly turned down the offer because he had already committed to drumming for the local band [[Rosemarie's Babies]]. Black Flag vocalist, [[Henry Rollins]], who had become great friends with The Misfits during their west coast gigs, informed ex-Black Flag drummer, Robo, that The Misfits were in need of a drummer. In July of 1982, Robo flew to the east coast and joined the band.
 
The new incarnation of the Misfits released their debut album ''[[American Psycho (album)|American Psycho]]'' in 1997.<ref name=PM>{{cite web|title=The Misfits' American Psycho (1997)|first=James Jr.|last=Greene|date=September 24, 2008|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/cut-out-bin-the-misfits-american-psycho-1997/|work=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> They filmed music videos for the songs "American Psycho" and "[[Dig Up Her Bones]]". The band toured Europe and North America in support of the album and appeared as characters in [[World Championship Wrestling]] as tag team for wrestler [[Vampiro|Ian "Vampiro" Hodgkinson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whatculture.com/wwe/the-bizarre-tale-of-the-misfits-in-wcw|title=The Bizarre Tale Of The Misfits In WCW|first=Nolan|last=Whyte|date=December 1, 2020|website=Whatculture.com|access-date=June 6, 2024}}</ref> Graves took a hiatus from the band in 1998, during which Myke Itzazone of [[Empire Hideous]] filled in as singer during tours of South America and Europe. After Graves' return the band signed to [[Roadrunner Records]], releasing ''[[Famous Monsters]]'' in October 1999 and filming a music video for the single ''[[Scream! (Misfits song)|Scream!]]'' They made additional film appearances in ''[[Big Money Hustlas]]'' (2000), ''[[Bruiser (2000 film)|Bruiser]]'' (2000), and ''Campfire Stories'' (2001) and continued to tour, but tensions between the band members began to grow. During a performance at the [[House of Blues]] in [[Orlando, Florida]] on October 25, 2000, Graves and Chud both quit the band and walked off stage. The two later released an album under the name [[Graves (band)|Graves]] before splitting up; Graves went on to sing for [[Gotham Road]] and then launched a solo career, while Chud formed [[Dr. Chud's X-Ward]]. Meanwhile, Doyle took an indefinite hiatus from performing as he divorced, remarried, had a fourth child, and dealt with [[tendonitis]] in his elbow.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
Doyle graduated High School and began working full time at his father's machine shop with Jerry. They used their earnings to purchase new instruments (because they tended to smash theirs on a weekly basis), and to fund The Misfits tours, recording sessions, and album pressings. While they provided funding for the band, Glenn would handle the Fiend Club and work on composing new songs. A common misconception is that Glenn only wrote lyrics and sang for The Misfits. Glenn was actually a multi-talented musician that would write the music and the lyrics himself, and would later teach them to his band mates at practice, where the songs would become totally fleshed out (Practices were usually held in Jerry's garage, which they referred to as "The Pit"). Glenn was often irritated when people assumed he only sang for the band, and did not credit him as the band's creative force. In order to remedy the situation in the future, Glenn considered naming his next band project either "Glenn Danzig" or simply "Danzig" and eventually did name a band that.
 
===2001–2008: 25th anniversary and all-star lineup===
===Decaying===
[[File:Jerry Only live with the Misifts, Sala Copernico, Madrid, 2008-04-23 (3).jpg|thumb|left|After the departure of the other band members, bassist [[Jerry Only]] took over as singer and recruited veteran [[punk rock]] musicians to continue the band.]]As the sole remaining founding member of the Misfits, Jerry Only took over lead vocal duties in addition to playing bass guitar and recruited veteran musicians [[Dez Cadena]], former guitarist of [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]], an idea Doyle was not fond of, leading him to quit. Also [[Marky Ramone]], former drummer of the [[Ramones]], joined for a Misfits 25th anniversary tour which lasted intermittently for nearly three years. Former Black Flag and Misfits drummer [[Robo (musician)|Robo]] filled in for Ramone during some stretches of the tour. Only released ''[[Cuts from the Crypt]]'' in 2001, a compilation of demos and rarities covering the band's period with Graves and Chud from 1995 to 2001. This fulfilled the band's contractual obligations to Roadrunner Records, whom Only had grown dissatisfied with.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
In September of 1982, The Misfits embarked on a large scale tour with their friends, [[Necros]] opening for them. During the tour, The Misfits stopped by a studio to record the instrumentals for the ''Earth A.D.'' EP while Glenn slept. On [[October 17]], the band was arrested in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]] on the charges of grave-robbing while in search of the burial place of voodoo practitioner [[Marie Laveau]]. The Misfits denied the charges, and a witness reportedly attested that they had not even entered the cemetery gates. The band bailed themselves out of jail and skipped court to drive to their next performance in Florida. Upon returning from the tour, The Misfits released an album of live material called ''Evilive''.
 
Also in 2001 [[Caroline Records]] announced that they would release recordings from the Misfits' August 1980 album sessions as ''[[12 Hits from Hell]]''. However, both Only and [[Glenn Danzig]] abruptly called off production of the album, citing concerns with the mixing, mastering, layout, and packaging.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
During this time Glenn was becoming increasingly unsatisfied with The Misfits. He thought his band mate's musicianship was not sophisticated enough to bring his musical visions to life, and thought they were wasting money by constantly destroying their instruments. He also wasn't happy with the thrashy speed punk direction the ''Earth A.D.'' EP had taken. He began to write songs for a new band project, which he considered calling "Danzig", but instead chose to name "[[Samhain (band)|Samhain]]", after the ancient [[Celt]]ic holiday which influenced the modern [[Halloween]] celebration.
 
Only and longtime collaborator [[John Cafiero]] soon launched their own label, [[Misfits Records]], and released [[Don't Open 'til It's Doomsday|a split single]] featuring the Misfits and Japanese [[horror punk]] band [[Balzac (band)|Balzac]]. The Only/Cadena/Ramone lineup of the Misfits released the covers album ''[[Project 1950]]'' in 2003, performing renditions of classic [[rock and roll]] songs from the 1950s and 1960s. The album featured guest appearances from [[Ronnie Spector]], [[Jimmy Destri]], [[Ed Manion]], and [[John Cafiero]]. The band toured intermittently in support of the album until 2005, when Ramone left the band and was replaced by Robo. They booked a full European tour that year, but problems with Robo's [[Visa (document)|visa]] led to the cancellation of all dates in the United Kingdom. A rescheduled UK tour followed in September.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
In July of 1983, The Misfits went into the studio to finish working on ''Earth A.D.'' They decided to record and add two of their new songs to the album, making it closer to full length status. In order to make it a proper full length album, Glenn decided to record two of the songs he had intended for Samhain: "Bloodfeast", and "Death Comes Ripping". The resulting album was ''[[Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood]]'', a gritty, thrashy album of hardcore punk rock, which none of the members were quite satisfied with. In August, after a series of arguments with Glenn, Robo decided to leave the band. Glenn became further disenchanted with The Misfits and began to audition musicians for his new band project.
 
[[File:Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Starting in 2004, [[Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein|Doyle]] joined [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]] onstage to perform half-hour sets of early Misfits songs.]]
On [[October 29]]th, [[1983]] (see [[1983 in music]]), The Misfits played their yearly Halloween show in Detroit, Michigan. Glenn had selected Brian Damage to be the new Misfits drummer. However, Brian got drunk before the show and continuously messed up the songs. After several songs Doyle escorted Brian off the stage and the drummer for the Necros filled in for the rest of the set. The band members were visibly upset with each other and Glenn informed the audience that it would be the last Misfits show ever. The next day the band members drove back home without saying a word to each other and went about their respective lives.
Doyle had meanwhile reunited with Glenn Danzig, joining [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]] onstage during performances in December 2004 to play guitar for 30-minute sets of old Misfits songs midway through the band's setlist. It was the first time the two had performed together in over twenty years, and the first time Doyle had performed since his hiatus. Danzig called the performances "the closest thing to a Misfits reunion anyone is ever going to see".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/9721 |title=Danzig, Doyle to perform Misfits songs this fall |date=July 17, 2004 |publisher=punknews.org |access-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> These sets featuring Doyle continued through Danzig's 2005 ''Blackest of the Black'' tour and 2006 Australian tour. Glenn Danzig had announced his intention to retire from touring following these, though he later contradicted this by announcing a Danzig 20th anniversary tour in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/30182 |title=Glenn Danzig talks 20th anniversary tour, future plans |date=August 22, 2008 |publisher=punknews.org |access-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> In 2007, he produced Doyle's new project [[Gorgeous Frankenstein]]. Doyle later indicated that plans had been in place for the Misfits to reunite with Glenn Danzig beginning in 2002, but that Jerry Only and his manager had "put a fuckin' monkey wrench in it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/30416 |title=Doyle says Jerry Only "f*cked up" Danzig-Misfits reunion |date=September 12, 2008 |publisher=punknews.org |access-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref>
 
===2009–2015: 30th anniversary and new albums===
==Legal battle==
In 2009 and 2010, the Misfits performed an extended 30th anniversary world tour. A new single, "[[Land of the Dead (Misfits song)|Land of the Dead]]" was released October 27, 2009, marking the band's first release of new studio material in six years and the only release by the lineup of Only, Cadena, and Robo.<ref>{{cite web|title = Misfits 'Land of the Dead' Coming Halloween 2009!|work = misfits.com|publisher = Misfits|date = October 10, 2009|url = http://www.misfits.com/|access-date = October 11, 2009}}</ref> Robo was dismissed from the band in 2010, with Only explaining that ongoing problems with his Colombian passport inhibited the band's ability to tour consistently.<ref name="Blair 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/blairingoutshow#p/a/u/1/Io2xT7Bz8Pg|title=The Misfits Jerry Only talks to Eric Blair about the new Misfits CD etc, Part No.&nbsp;1|last=Blair|first=Eric|date=November 18, 2010|via=YouTube|work=The Blairing Out with Eric Blair Show|access-date=November 22, 2010}}</ref><ref name="punknews 11-24-10">{{cite web |title=Misfits replace Robo, title new album |publisher=Punknews.org |date=November 24, 2010 |url=http://www.punknews.org/article/40723 |access-date=November 24, 2010}}</ref> He was replaced by Eric "Chupacabra" Arce of [[Murphy's Law (band)|Murphy's Law]], who had previously filled in with the band for tours in 2000 and 2001.<ref name="Blair 1"/> The Only/Cadena/Arce lineup released a new album, ''[[The Devil's Rain (album)|The Devil's Rain]]'', recorded with producer [[Ed Stasium]] and titled after [[The Devil's Rain (film)|the 1975 film]] starring [[William Shatner]].<ref name="Blair 1"/><ref name="punknews 11-24-10"/><ref name="Blair 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/blairingoutshow#p/a/u/0/lXmcO8yEEmg|title=The Misfits Jerry Only says Glen Danzig needs to Repent & Jesus Christ is God. part 2|last=Blair|first=Eric|date=November 18, 2010|via=YouTube|work=The Blairing Out with Eric Blair Show|access-date=November 22, 2010}}</ref> The album was released on October 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/43965|title=Misfits to release ''The Devil's Rain''|last=Paul|first=Aubin|date=August 17, 2011|publisher=Punknews.org|access-date=August 17, 2011}}</ref> During the latter quarter of 2011, former vocalist Danzig and guitarist Doyle performed Misfits songs on four occasions as part of the Danzig ''Legacy'' tour. The first of the four shows, which took place on October 7 in Chicago, saw a sold-out crowd.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danzig-verotik.com/danzig/news.html |title=Official Danzig Website |publisher=Danzig-verotik.com |access-date=March 29, 2012}}</ref>
 
In 2013, the Misfits released their third live album, ''[[Dead Alive!]]''. In October, they released a 12" single fronted by a new recording of "Descending Angel", backed by a cover of "[[Science Fiction/Double Feature]]", a song they previously only played live. Meanwhile, Danzig and Doyle continued to regularly play Misfits songs and included a set on Danzig's 25th anniversary tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalkaoz.com/metal-news/9593-danzig-confirmed-for-wacken-2013.html|title=DANZIG Confirmed For 'Wacken 2013'|work=metalkaoz.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2013/08/danzig_announce_1.html|title=Danzig announces fall leg of 25th anniversary tour w/ Doyle, playing Roseland Ballroom (dates, recent live video & setlist)|work=brooklynvegan.com|date=August 22, 2013 }}</ref> In October 2013, publisher [[Rowman & Littlefield]] published ''This Music Leaves Stains'' by James Greene, an unofficial Misfits biography, which tells the story of each incarnation of the band as well as spin-off projects such as [[Samhain (band)|Samhain]] and [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]].{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} In late 2015, the Misfits released the songs "Vampire Girl" and "Zombie Girl" as a single.
After the demise of The Misfits, Glenn Danzig focused on his new band project, Samhain, which was much darker and occult oriented than The Misfits. Meanwhile, Jerry Only and his brother Doyle moved to Vernon, NJ, where they went to work full time in their father's machine parts factory. During this time, Jerry became more focused on his family and his baby daughter, Kathy. He became more serious about his Christian faith, and regretted some of the things he took part in during his time with The Misfits. He watched as Glenn continued to grow in popularity with Samhain, a band that Jerry viewed as evil and Satanic. In 1987, Jerry decided to start a new band, one that would oppose the "dark path" chosen by Glenn. Together with Doyle, Jerry (who changed his stage name to "Mo the Great") started writing songs for a [[Christian]] [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band with barbarian imagery, called [[Kryst The Conqueror]]. They then created the "Doyle Fan Club" to help spread the word about their new band. During the writing and recording process for the album, they tweaked their instruments, in an attempt to design the ultimate bass and guitar. Once the music was recorded, they hired studio vocalist [[Jeff Scott Soto]] (who had done vocals for [[Yngwie Malmsteen]]) to record vocals for the album. Jeff was forced to remain anonymous due to contractual obligations. To hide his identity, he was credited on the album as Kryst. Despite Jerry's efforts, Kryst the Conqueror failed to gain a following. The album was never fully released and the band never played a single show.
 
===2016–present: Reunion as the Original Misfits===
By 1987, The Misfits' reputation had grown to nearly legendary status, and Glenn's band Samhain (later renamed to "Danzig"), was signed to a major label. The Misfits back catalog had been re-issued and was selling extremely well. Around this time, Jerry Only contacted Glenn about getting a cut of the Misfits royalties, beginning a legal battle that lasted several years. Jerry concedes that Danzig wrote nearly all the lyrics and most of the music, but he contended that he and Doyle "wrote 25% or maybe 30% of the music," [http://www.citizinemag.com/music/music-0309_jerryonly.htm] and deserved compensation. Danzig, on the other hand, insisted that all songs were written by him and that the other Misfits' creative input was minimal at best.
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/05/misfits-original-lineup-to-reunite-for-riot-fest/|title=Misfits' original lineup to reunite for Riot Fest|work=consequenceofsount.net|date=May 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Coughlan|first1=Jamie|title=Classic Misfits Line-Up To Reunited|url=http://overblown.co.uk/classic-misfits-line-reunite/|website=Overblown|access-date=May 14, 2016}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|title=Misfits' Jerry Only Explains How He Reunited with Glenn Danzig|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/misfits-jerry-only-explains-how-he-reunited-with-glenn-danzig-20160513|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 13, 2016|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref> Court documents show that Danzig and Only discussed a reunion as part of settlement negotiations as early as 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Redding|first1=Dan|title=This Time, Danzig and the Misfits Decided to Hit to the Stage Instead of the Courtroom|url=http://www.culturecreature.com/danzig-misfits-reunion-lawsuit-settlement/|website=Culture Creature|date=May 13, 2016|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name="newsletter">{{cite web|title=Official Misfits Records Newsletter, June 17th 2016|url=http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101242891835&ca=ee6433a6-7483-455d-97bd-7e8a59c4281d|publisher=Misfits Records|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref> In September the Misfits lineup of Danzig, Only and Doyle, along with guitarist [[Acey Slade]] and drummer [[Dave Lombardo]], 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."<ref name="Blabbermouth">{{cite web|title=MISFITS Want Reunion To Continue|date=September 6, 2016|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/misfits-want-reunion-to-continue/|publisher=Misfits Records|access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>
In late 1988, Danzig's new group (also called "Danzig") released their debut album on longtime fan [[Rick Rubin]]'s record label. Five years later, Glenn broke into the mainstream when the live video for the Danzig song, "Mother", became a hit on MTV, introducing thousands of new fans to Danzig's back catalog with Samhain and The Misfits. Around this time, many older punk bands began to do reunion tours, earning often hefty paychecks in the process. Jerry and Doyle approached Glenn about the possibility of a Misfits reunion tour, but Glenn turned them down by having security escort them off the property. Jerry decided to cease his pursuit of song credit, and instead tried to reach an out of court settlement that would allow him to use The Misfits name and image. In [[1995]] ([[1995 in music]]), Jerry and Glenn were finally able to settle out of court. Jerry gained the rights to record and perform as the Misfits, although he shared joint merchandising rights with Glenn.
 
In December 2017, the reunited lineup performed two concerts at the [[MGM Grand Garden Arena]] in [[Las Vegas]] and [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] in [[Inglewood, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Watch Reunited MISFITS Perform at Forum in Los Angeles|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/watch-reunited-misfits-perform-at-forum-in-los-angeles/|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=January 29, 2018|date=December 31, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, the band played at the [[Prudential Center]] in [[Newark, New Jersey]] and in 2019 at the [[Allstate Arena]] in suburban Chicago.<ref name="vanyaland.com">{{cite web|title=Original Misfits announce New Jersey show with Suicidal Tendencies and Murphy's Law|url=http://www.vanyaland.com/2018/01/29/original-misfits-announce-new-jersey-show-with-suicidal-tendencies-and-murphys-law/|website=Vanyaland|access-date=January 29, 2018|date=January 29, 2018}}</ref><ref name="NJ.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2018/05/misfits_nj_concert_review_2018_prudential_center_n.html|title=1st 'original Misfits' N.J. concert in a generation was the long-awaited rage fest we hoped for: review|work=The Star-Ledger|access-date=May 21, 2018}}</ref> In a June 2019 interview, Danzig indicated that the reunion period might be drawing to a close, saying that, "We're not gonna do many more."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/glenn-danzig-not-gonna-do-many-more-misfits-shows/|title=Glenn Danzig: 'We're Not Gonna Do Many More' Misfits Shows|last=Jackie|first=Full Metal|website=Loudwire|date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=June 18, 2019}}</ref> The news from Danzig came on the heels of an in-depth article from [[MetalSucks]] analyzing legal documents related to the original reunion planning that revealed other details, including the statement, "The parties agree to perform no fewer than ten Misfits reunion shows to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the band."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2019/06/11/how-many-more-misfits-reunion-shows-will-there-be-according-to-legal-documents-probably-just-one/|title=How Many More Misfits Reunion Shows Will There Be? According to Legal Documents, Probably Just One.|date=June 11, 2019|website=MetalSucks|access-date=June 18, 2019}}</ref> Despite Danzig's pessimism, it was announced that same month that the Original Misfits would be replacing [[Megadeth]] at the Psycho Las Vegas event in August due to [[Dave Mustaine]]'s throat cancer diagnosis. Following the Las Vegas show, the reunited lineup was booked for concerts at the [[Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre]] in [[Greenwood Village, Colorado]], at the [[Oracle Arena]] in [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], at [[Seattle]]'s [[White River Amphitheatre]], at New York's [[Madison Square Garden]], at [[Philadelphia]]'s [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] and at [[Discovery Park (Sacramento)|Discovery Park]] in Sacramento.
==The resurrected Misfits==
 
In May 2021, it was announced that the Original Misfits would play [[Riot Fest]] as co-headliners with [[My Chemical Romance]] alongside [[Nine Inch Nails]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Spencer|title=Original Misfits to Perform Walk Among Us in Full at Riot Fest 2022, Joining My Chemical Romance as Headliners|url=https://consequence.net/2021/05/misfits-walk-among-us-riot-fest-2022/|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=May 17, 2021|access-date=May 17, 2021}}</ref>
Jerry and Doyle reformed The Misfits immediately, recruiting [[Michale Graves]] on vocals and [[Dr. Chud]] of [[Sardonica]] on drums. The new incarnation of the Misfits (sometimes referred to as the "Newfits", "MisfitsTM", or "Misfits 95") released two full-length albums, ''American Psycho'' and ''Famous Monsters'' which were fairly well received, as well as a collection of rare and unreleased "resurrected" Misfits tracks, until Michale Graves and Dr. Chud left the band on [[October 25]], [[2000]] at a performance at the [[House of Blues]] in [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]. Doyle then took an indefinite hiatus from performing. Jerry took over lead vocals in addition to his bass duties, and recruited punk veterans [[Dez Cadena]] of Black Flag, and [[Marc Bell|Marky Ramone]] of [[Ramones|The Ramones]] to undertake a Misfits 25th Anniversary Tour, which lasted about three years, intermittently.
 
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 (band)|FEAR]].<ref>{{Cite news|last = Fletcher |first = David |title = Misfits Made Our Halloween Dreams Come True Saturday Night |work=Dallas Observer |date = October 30, 2022 |url = https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/misfits-review-saturday-dos-equis-pavilion-dallas-texas-15160122}}</ref>
Freed from the Misfits' contractual obligations to Universal's Geffen and Roadrunner imprints, Only and Misfits confidant John Cafiero formed Misfits Records and launched their new label with two releases, the American debut of [[Balzac (band)|Balzac]] (a Japanese horror punk band strongly influenced by The Misfits and Samhain), and a new Misfits album featuring the band's retakes on ten 1950's rock classics, ''Project 1950''. The album featured not only the punk rock all-star Misfits lineup of Only, Cadena and Ramone, but prominent appearances from 60's pop chanteuse [[Ronnie Spector]] and [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] keyboardist [[Jimmy Destri]].
 
Former Misfits drummer Manny Martinez died on December 16, 2023, aged 69.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Original MISFITS Drummer MANNY MARTINEZ Reportedly Dies At 69|date = December 17, 2023 |website=Blabbermouth |url = https://blabbermouth.net/news/original-misfits-drummer-manny-martinez-reportedly-dies-at-69}}</ref>
Meanwhile Michale Graves and Dr. Chud had formed their own band, [[Graves (band)|Graves]], which released a single album before breaking up. In [[2004]], Michale Graves sang in [[Gotham Road]]. Currently, Graves is fronting his own solo project, [[Michale Graves]], while Dr. Chud is fronting for his own band called Dr. Chud's X-Ward.
 
In November 2024, it was announced that the Original Misfits would perform at [[Coachella]] on April 12 and April 19, 2025. The band was listed on the official tour poster with their original font logo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=Green Day, The Prodigy, Misfits and more announced for Coachella 2025 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/coachella-2025-lineup |website=Louder |access-date=26 November 2024 |language=en |date=20 November 2024}}</ref>
After Michale Graves quit the band, The Misfits were briefly fronted by lead singer [[Myke Hideous]] of the New Jersey [[goth]]/[[deathrock]] band [[The Empire Hideous]] during their subsequent European tour. Purportedly forced out by Jerry and Doyle for an unwillingness to "pump up" by lifting weights, Hideous also left the band after the [[1995]] European tour. Hideous recounts details of his stint singing for the Misfits in his book "King of an Empire to the Shoes of a Misfit". Michale Graves rejoined the band some years later, only to quit again in 2000.
 
==Artistry==
On [[February 28]]th, [[March 1]]st and [[March 2]]nd [[2005]], Glenn Danzig performed a half hour worth of classic Misfits tracks, in the middle of his Danzig set. Joining him on guitar was none other than Doyle. It was the first time the two have performed together in 20 years, and the first time Doyle has taken to the stage since he went on hiatus. These shows have prompted rumours of a reunification of Jerry, Doyle and Glenn, although Danzig has repeatedly made public statements shooting down such rumors. Glenn and Doyle plan on performing more shows together, and Glenn has stated that this is as close as anyone will ever get to seeing a true Misfits reunion.
 
=== Musical style ===
Recently, Marky Ramone has left The Misfits 25 lineup, and the new lineup contains none other than Robo, formerly of the Glenn Danzig days of the Misfits, and originally of seminal hardcore punk band Black Flag. A full European tour has been booked with this new lineup, and some select dates in the U.S. have been announced. Sadly, the UK leg of the tour had to be cancelled due to a problem with Robo's visa, and, as a result, the band could not play the City Invasion 2005 tour. A rescheduled UK tour followed in September.
Each incarnation of the Misfits has made use of [[horror film]] and [[science fiction film]]-inspired themes and imagery, with makeup, clothing, artwork, and lyrics drawn from [[B movie]]s and television serials, many from the 1950s through 1970s. Musically the band are often recognized as progenitors of the [[horror punk]], [[psychobilly]] and [[punk metal]] subgenres and have drawn from [[punk rock]], heavy metal, and 1950s [[rock and roll]] and [[rockabilly]] to inform their style.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hochman |first=Steve |date=October 9, 1994 |title=POP MUSIC : He's No Walk in the Park : There's dark, there's angry and then there's rocker Glenn Danzig. His music is not designed to make anyone feel good, or even feel better. Basically, he says, 'I hate the world.' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-10-09-ca-48297-story.html |access-date=July 17, 2025 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' describes them as "the archetypal horror-punk band of the late 1970s and early '80s",<ref name="RS1">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/misfits/articles/story/5926874/misfits_find_hideous_new_singer| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529083353/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/misfits/articles/story/5926874/misfits_find_hideous_new_singer| url-status=dead| archive-date=May 29, 2007| title=Misfits Find Hideous New Singer | author= Layne, Anni | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=June 3, 1998 }}</ref> and they are considered icons in punk music and culture.<ref name="POTPLAN">{{cite book | last = Andrews |first =Thomas Brent | title =The Pot Plan |date =August 2005 | publisher =Chronic Discontent Books | page =91 | isbn =0-9767056-0-5}}</ref><ref name="iron">{{cite book|title=Rock Stars on God|last=Van Pelt, Doug|author-link=Doug Van Pelt|publisher=Relevant Media Group|year=2004|isbn=9780972927697|pages=[https://archive.org/details/rockstarsongod0000vanp/page/49 49–50]|url=https://archive.org/details/rockstarsongod0000vanp/page/49}}</ref> The Misfits have also been described as [[pop punk|pop-punk]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 15, 2017 |title=50 Greatest Pop-Punk Albums |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-pop-punk-albums-122677/5-seconds-of-summer-5-seconds-of-summer-2014-125214/ |access-date=April 14, 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bracelin |first=Jason |date=December 22, 2017 |title=Improbable reunion tour brings the Misfits to Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/sounding-off/improbable-reunion-tour-brings-the-misfits-to-las-vegas/ |access-date=April 14, 2019 |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lawson |first=Dom |date=May 13, 2016 |title=The Misfits – five reasons to welcome their reunion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/may/13/misfits-reunion-glenn-danzig-jerry-only-pop-punk |access-date=April 14, 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
 
The early incarnations of the Misfits are associated with the [[hardcore punk]] movement of the early 1980s, though ''[[American Hardcore: A Tribal History]]'' author [[Steven Blush]] notes that "though crucial to the rise of hardcore, [they] were in fact in a league of their own...The Misfits delivered a hyper-yet-melodic assault based in 50/60s-style rock, taking the [[Buddy Holly]]/[[Gene Vincent]] foundation and making it nuclear."<ref>{{harvnb|Blush|2001|p=194}}</ref> Jon de Rosa of [[Pitchfork Media]] describes how the band's sound was different from the punk rock coming out of New York at the time: "New York punk was just punk, simple and static. When Glenn started the Misfits, he mutated the punk sound and image into something darker and more sinister, a punk-metal hybrid that later found bloom in the [[Black Metal|quiet, boring suburbs of Oslo]] and the [[death metal|boggy backwaters surrounding Tampa]]. Punk belonged to the media/celebrity hubs of London and New York. Ghoul rock was for the kids in the suburbs where nothing ever happens".<ref>{{Cite web|last = DeRosa|first = John|title = Stuck in Lodi|date = March 7, 2005|url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/10225-stuck-in-lodi|access-date = February 11, 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090217134417/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/10225-stuck-in-lodi|archive-date = February 17, 2009|df = mdy-all}}</ref>
The Misfits and their Japanese counterparts, Balzac, staged a show at [[Tony Bennett]]'s studio complex in [[Englewood, New Jersey|Englewood, N.J.]], for a possible future live CD and/or DVD release on Misfits Records. Original Misfits guitarist Franché Coma made a guest appearance to perform three songs from the Static Age LP. Meanwhile, Doyle returned to play with Danzig for the Blackest of the Black Tour in the fall of 2005. Glenn claims that this will be his final tour, though he says he will continue to make music. He is currently slated as the producer for Doyle's upcoming band, Gorgeous Frankenstien, which currently lacks a singer or a vocalist, but will feature Argyle Goolsby on bass.
 
Andy Weller of the [[Necros]] recalls the band's transition from traditional punk rock in the late 1970s to hardcore in the early 1980s: "(You) could hear it on the records. It went from this [[Ramones]]-type stuff, to nine months later, where they put out records that were so fast it's unreal."<ref>{{harvnb|Blush|2001|p=202}}</ref> By the recording of ''[[Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood]]'' the band were playing faster, more aggressive material. According to Blush, "The Misfits' strengths as a hardcore group lay in non-[hardcore] attributes–melodic songs and larger-than-life-aura–but by the time of ''Earth AD'' Glenn was writing hyperspeed blasts that sounded very standard."<ref>{{harvnb|Blush|2001|p=204}}</ref>
The Misfits are currently writing material for a new studio album which they will begin recording after a brief tour of Central and South America. The tour begins January 26th and will go through till February 6th. The album will apparently feature Dez Cadena on guitar and Robo on drums. They have yet to say whether Dez will contribute to songwriting and singing.
{{Listen
|filename = Misfits - Dig Up Her Bones.ogg
|title = 'Dig Up Her Bones' (1997)
|description = ''Dig Up Her Bones'', the single from ''[[American Psycho (album)|American Psycho]]'' (1997)
}}
 
The new version of the Misfits launched by Jerry Only and Doyle in the 1990s, kept the horror punk themes, but went in a more [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] direction with blasting drums and crunchy guitars.<ref name="punknews">{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2017 |title=The Misfits – American Psycho |url=https://www.punknews.org/review/15141/the-misfits-american-psycho |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=Punknews.org}}</ref> Reviewing ''[[American Psycho (album)|American Psycho]]'', Stephen Erlewine of [[AllMusic]] called the new incarnation "a kitschy goth-punk outfit that relies more on metal than hardcore",<ref name="erlewine">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen|title=American Psycho – Review|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r276401|pure_url=yes}}|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=February 11, 2009}}</ref> while ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' remarked that the band's new style blended "some old-style punk, a little metal and an occasional all-out thrasher."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Abowitz|first=Richard|title=American Psycho – Review|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/misfits/albums/album/111271/review/5944311/american_psycho|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917005108/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/misfits/albums/album/111271/review/5944311/american_psycho|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2006|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Greg Prato, reviewing the 2001 album ''[[Cuts from the Crypt]]'', noted that "the latter-day Misfits are much more heavy metal based than in their earlier work – as their punk roots have all but been erased."<ref>{{cite web|last = Prato|first = Greg|title = Cuts from the Crypt – Review|website = [[AllMusic]]|url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r559225|pure_url=yes}}|access-date = February 11, 2009}}</ref>
==Legacy==
 
===Devilock===
The influence The Misfits have had on punk rock, and [[Rock and roll|rock music]] in general, sometimes seems disproportionate to the publicity and [[critic]]al attention they have received. Myriad bands have imitated The Misfits' style, such as [[Blitzkid]] and [[Calabrese]], and these bands have become known as [[horror punk]]. [[Psychobilly]] has various similarities with horror punk.
{{Main|Devilock}}
 
The devilock is a [[hairstyle]] created by Misfits in the late 1970s.<ref>{{cite book |title= Hair Designing: A Complete Course |year= 2007 |publisher= Global Media |isbn= 978-81-89940-59-1 |page= 97 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=AGiUuD_N1d0C&pg=PT97 |access-date=2009-12-08}}</ref> In a devilock, the sides and back of the hair are kept short, while the front is kept long and combed forward.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Official Punk Rock Book of Lists |last1= Wallace |first1= Amy |last2= Manitoba |first2= Richard |year= 2007 |publisher= Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn= 978-0-87930-919-0 |page= 131 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=HFKSxVpoPbMC&pg=PA131 |access-date= 2009-12-08}}</ref>
A number of bands have recently surfaced which, although in some cases less obviously horror punk, are still strongly visibly and audibly influenced by The Misfits. These include, most notably, bands such as [[AFI (band)|AFI]], [[Tiger Army]], [[Balzac]], [[Alkaline Trio]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Rob Zombie]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]], [[Wednesday 13 (band)|Wednesday 13]] and the [[Murderdolls]]. Many musical groups whose resemblance to The Misfits seems far removed also cite the band as crucial influences, such as [[Metallica]] and [[Guns N' Roses]]. Other bands who hold The Misfits in high regard are [[Slayer]], [[Pantera]], [[NOFX]] and more recently, [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] and [[Transfigural Form]]. Many local New Jersey hardcore, punk, and emo bands, such as [[My Chemical Romance]] and The Banner, cite The Misfits as a main influence. Winnipeg born [[Breakcore]] artist [[Venetian Snares]] considers the Misfits a huge influence, inspired by the subtle, but frequent use of 3/4 time.
 
In an early 1980s interview, Jerry Only claimed that the devilock was based on a "tidal wave" hairstyle seen among the 1970s [[skateboarding]] communities. In the same interview, former Misfits vocalist [[Glenn Danzig]] explains that his version of the hairstyle developed from an imitation of [[Eddie Munster]]'s hairstyle. A style similar to the Devilock was sported earlier - for instance the elephant trunk hairstyle of the 1950s, the Surfari's cover picture of 'Gum-dipped Slicks' (1964) shows a member of the band with a devilock-like quiff,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sundazed.com/c/365-Original-Surfaris-The.aspx|title=The Original Surfaris|website=sundazed.com}}</ref> as did the guitarist from the contemporaneous Tornadoes of Bustin' Surfboards fame.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tornadoesband.com/yesterday.htm|title=Yesterday|website=Tornadoesband.com}}</ref>
The Misfits' far reaching influence can also be evident in the vast number of fans from all different facets of the music world that follow the band. Wildly popular band among [[punk rock]] fans, the band has also received much exposure to the [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] community from [[Metallica]]'s numerous Misfits cover songs. Misfits fans themselves can often be easily discerned, as many completely immerse themselves in the band's imagery. At underground shows, and especially at Halloween, it is not uncommon to see many punks and metalheads dressed in black with [[The Crimson Ghost|Crimson Ghost]] facepaint and the [[devilock]] hairstyle. Black leather jackets, oversized leather boots, as well as gloves and bodysuits printed with the skeletal structure are also common.
 
==Members==
The Misfits have greatly influenced the Grenade snowboard apparel company run by the two-time Olympic silver medalist and professional snowboarder [[Danny Kass]], and his brother Matt. The Kass brothers grew up in New Jersey and are long time Fiends. Danny is a good friend of Jerry Only's daughter and used to skateboard on a halfpipe in the Only's back yard. Numerous Grenade products are Misfit tributes using or drawing from Misfits imagery. In classic Misfits tradition, Grenade allows 'soldiers' to enlist in their 'Army' to recieve stickers and other items, following along the lines of the Misfits' Fiend Club. Grenade follows in the vein of DIY mentality displayed by the Misfits and many punk bands, and reflects its influence on snowboarding today.
{{Main|List of Misfits band members}}
'''Current members'''
* [[Glenn Danzig]] – lead vocals (1977–1983, 2016–present), keyboards, guitars, drums (1977–1983)
* [[Jerry Only]] – bass, backing vocals (1977–1983, 1995–present), lead vocals (2001–2016)
* [[Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein]] – lead guitar (1980–1983, 1995–2001, 2016–present)
* [[Dave Lombardo]] – drums (2016–present)<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/misfits-enlist-dave-lombardo-as-reunion-drummer-w432361 Misfits Enlist Ex-Slayer Drummer Dave Lombardo for Reunion Shows] on Rollingstone.com</ref>
* [[Acey Slade]] – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2016–present)
 
==Discography==
Recently post-hardcore/emo band My Chemical Romance did a cover of the song Astro Zombies for the game Tony Hawk's American Wasteland videogame.
{{Main|Misfits discography|List of songs recorded by the Misfits}}
 
;Studio albums
==Discography ("Original" Misfits)==
* ''[[Walk Among Us]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Static Age]]'' (1996)
* ''[[American Psycho (album)|American Psycho]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Famous Monsters]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Project 1950]]'' (2003)
* ''[[The Devil's Rain (album)|The Devil's Rain]]'' (2011)
 
==Filmography==
* ''[[Cough/Cool]]'' ([[1977]]) - single
The Misfits appeared as characters or in cameos in the following films:
* ''[[Bullet (album)|Bullet]]'' ([[1978]]) - EP
 
* ''[[Horror Business]]'' ([[1979]]) - EP
* ''Walk Among You'' (1982), as Misfits.
* ''[[Night of the Living Dead (album)|Night of the Living Dead]]'' ([[1979]]) - single
* ''[[Beware]]Love Hall'' ([[1980]]1982) -as EPMisfits
* ''[[3Animal Hits from HellRoom]]'' ([[1981]]1995), -as EPMisfits.
* ''[[Big Money Hustlas]]'' (2000), as Misfits 1–4 (individually credited).
* ''[[Who Killed Marilyn?]]'' ([[1981]]) - single (though often credited as a Misfits release, this was issued as a Glenn Danzig solo release)
* ''[[HalloweenBruiser (Misfits2000 film)|HalloweenBruiser]]'' ([[1981]]2000), -as singleMisfits.
* ''Campfire Stories'' (2001), as Misfits.
* ''[[Walk among Us]]'' ([[1982]]) - album [[Ruby Records|Ruby]]/[[Slash Records]]
* ''[[Evilive]]'' ([[1982]]) - live [[fan club]] EP
* ''[[Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood]]'' ([[1983]]) - album
* ''[[Die, Die My Darling]]'' ([[1984]]) - single
* ''[[Earth A.D.]] '' ([[1984]]) - album
* ''[[Legacy of Brutality]]'' ([[1985]]) - album
* ''[[Collection I]]'' ([[1986]]) - album
* ''[[Evilive]]'' ([[1987]]) - live album
* ''[[Collection II]]'' ([[1995]]) - album
* ''[[Box Set (The Misfits)|Box Set]]'' ([[1996]]) - Box Set
* ''[[Static Age]]'' ([[1997]]) - album
* ''[[12 Hits from Hell]]'' ([[2001]]) - album (promo only, unreleased)
 
==See also==
* [[List of cover versions of Misfits songs]]
* [[Horror punk]]
 
==References==
* [[Fiend Club]]
{{Reflist}}
* [[List of bands from New Jersey]]
 
;Bibliography
==Discography ("Resurrected" Misfits)==
* {{cite book|last = Blush|first = Steven|author-link = Steven Blush|title = American Hardcore: A Tribal History|publisher = Feral House|year = 2001|___location = New York|isbn = 0-922915-71-7|url = https://archive.org/details/americanhardcore00stev}}
 
==External links==
* ''[[American Psycho (album)|American Psycho]]'' ([[1997]]) - album
{{Commons category|Misfits}}
* ''[[Dig Up Her Bones]]'' ([[1997]]) - single
{{wikiquote}}
* ''[[Evillive II]]'' ([[1998]]) - live fan club album
* {{Official website}}
* ''[[Famous Monsters]]'' ([[1999]]) - album
* {{AllMusic|id=misfits-mn0000891063|label=Misfits}}
* ''[[Monster Mash]]'' ([[1999]]) - single
* {{Discogs artist|Misfits}}
* ''[[Cuts From The Crypt]]'' ([[2001]]) - album
* {{imdb name|2127225}}
* ''[[Project 1950]]'' ([[2003]]) - album
 
{{Misfits}}
==Filmography==
{{Authority control}}
The Misfits appeared as characters or in cameos in the following movies.
* ''[[Animal Room]]'' ([[1995]]), as The Misfits
* ''[[Bruiser (film)|Bruiser]]'' ([[2000]]), uncredited
* ''[[Big Money Hustlas]]'' ([[2000]]), as Misfits 1-4 (individually credited)
* ''[[Campfire Stories]]'' ([[2001]]), as The Misfits
 
==External links==
* [http://www.misfitscentral.com/ Misfits Central]
* [http://www.onethirtyeight.com/ One Thirty Eight]
* [http://www.tvcasualty.com/ TVCasualty.com]
* [http://www.misfits.com/ Official Misfits Website]
* {{musicbrainz artist|id=936addc3-91aa-49de-8ec0-0dc186de151f|name=The Misfits}}
* [http://www.msigarmy.com/misfits/ Misfits Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.archive.org/details/The_Misfits_January_07_1983_Dearborn_Michigan_Live The Misfits live in Michigan (1983)]
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Misfits}}
[[Category:American musical groups|Misfits, The]]
[[Category:TheMisfits Misfits(band)|Misfits, The]]
[[Category:New1977 Jerseyestablishments musicalin groups|Misfits,New TheJersey]]
[[Category:1983 disestablishments in New Jersey]]
[[de:Misfits]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[es:The Misfits]]
[[Category:Geffen Records artists]]
[[fr:Misfits]]
[[Category:Hardcore punk groups from New Jersey]]
[[it:The Misfits]]
[[Category:Horror punk groups]]
[[pl:The Misfits]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1983]]
[[fi:Misfits]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1977]]
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[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1995]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Bergen County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:American musical quintets]]
[[Category:American punk rock groups]]