The story is humorous but speaks to a larger fact: he may have been born Glenn Anzalone, but for all intents and purposes he is now Glenn Danzig, not just because he legally changed his name to the latter but because Glenn has transformed into that particular character he crafted oh so many years ago. In turn, Gerald and Paul Caiafa, Jim Catania, Frank LiCata, Robert Kauhfold, Joe Poole, Michael Emanuel, and the rest are the Misfits. What are they to do if they don’t like it, or if others don’t like it? These men cannot escape their past. Most of them rely on it to survive. It can be strange to see the human side of figures once lurched menacingly at listeners from the cover of “Beware.” They have children to feed, mortgages to pay, lawsuits to settle. But nothing can diminish the accomplishment or meaning of the band’s earliest pioneering efforts. That power is still present the first time anyone lays eyes on that unblinking skull staring out from a ratty old T-shirt or experiences the powerful pause that finishes off the mournful death rattle “Last Caress.” “The Who never scared me,” asserts Bruce McCulloch. “The Misfits scared me.”[45]
Though they are currently more popular than ever, the Misfits have never really broken into the mainstream. They are not heard regularly in prime time television commercials or movie trailers. As appealing as Danzig’s voice is, he’s still singing about bloated corpses and blind violence most of the time. The Misfits will probably never have their music licensed for a Target advertising campaign or appear in a Pixar movie. It’s just as well; such expansion would be anathema to Glenn Danzig’s original concept and attitude
“There was one time we were hanging outside CBGBs,” Rosemary’s Babies singer JR recalls. “There was a guy there, a skinhead, older than me, whom I really respected. He saw me talking to Glenn and asked, ‘You know that guy?’ ‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘I know him, I like a few songs by his band.’ Then he says, ‘I really don’t like them at all.’ Just at that moment Glenn came over. The guy thought Glenn had heard him and started to apologize—‘I’m sorry, I don’t like you guys.’ Glenn said, ‘Ah, I don’t give a fuck.’ Just like that. It wasn’t a sneering affectation. It was just apathetic. He really didn’t care about anyone else’s opinions. That, to me, was always very cool.”[46]
Such is the Misfits. They aren’t concerned with winning your heart or breaking it. They just want to exist. This is a band that belongs closer to the underground, a perverse delight like Playboy in the 1950s or a 1970s Peter Cushing vampire movie, lying in wait to be discovered by those who covet their beauty damaged and slightly unclean. In that sense, the Misfits transcend punk rock to be a true piece of Americana, a musical roadside attraction worth more than a few stops on the dark highway of life.
1. Nigel Goodall, “Transcript of Elvis’s 1972 Press Conference,” June 8, 2011, http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/interview_with_elvis_presley_the_1972_press_conference.shtml.
2. Dave Kim, “Ryan Adams Performs Acoustic Version of Danzig’s ‘Mother,’” Diffuser.fm, May 16, 2012, http://diffuser.fm/ryan-adams-danzig-mother.
3. Dave Maher, “My Morning Jacket, Pajo Cover Misfits on Comp,” Pitchfork Media, October 18, 2007, http://web.archive.org/web/20080208192044/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/46478-my-morning-jacket-pajo-cover-misfits-on-comp.
4. Jon DeRosa, “Stuck in Lodi,” Pitchfork Media, March 7, 2005, http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/5982-stuck-in-lodi.
5. AFI, A Fire Inside, Adeline Records, 1999, compact disc.
6. Various Artists, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, Vagrant Records, 2005, compact disc.
7. The Network, Money Money 2020, Adeline Records, 2003, compact disc.
8. Steve Huey, “Slipknot Biography,” AllMusic, http://www.allmusic.com/artist/slipknot-mn0000750742.
9. “What Caused Glenn Danzig to Lose His Temper in North Side Kings Altercation?” Blabbermouth.net, December 23, 2004, http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=30705.
10. “Glenn Danzig: North Side Kings Punchout Was a ‘Setup,’” Blabbermouth.net, August 20, 2004, http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=26000.
11. “Blackest of the Black Tour Cancelled,” Blabbermouth.net, September 15, 2004, http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=26924.
12. “Danzig to Team Up with Doyle for Two Shows in December,” Blabbermouth.net, October 30, 2004, http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=28565.
13. “Doyle Interview,” Reign In Blood (blog), http://www.myspace.com/rib333/blog/429817046.
14. “Gorgeous Frankenstein: The Band,” GorgeousFrankenstein.com, http://www.gorgeousfrankenstein.com.
15. “News: October 19, 2012,” DrChud.com, http://www.drchud.com/index.html
16. DJ Troll, “Gorgeous Frankenstein Exclusive Phone Interview,” Yahoo! Voices, May 6, 2009, http://voices.yahoo.com/gorgeous-frankenstein-exclusive-phone-interview-3242649.html.
17. “About Doyle’s Made in Hell Hot Sauce,” DoylesMadeInHell.com, http://www.doylesmadeinhell.com.
18. Kaufhold et al v. Caiafa et al, Case No. 11-cv-01460-WJM-MF, originally filed June 11, 2010, 1–19.
19. “Ex-Misfits Guitarist Releases Own Version of Band’s Controversial ‘Lost’ Album,” Blabbermouth.net, December 11, 2007, http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=86588.
20. Ashley Warren, “7th House Message Board Posting,” Misfits Central, October 22, 2001, http://misfitscentral.com/hits.php.
21. “Ex-Misfits Guitarist Releases Own Version.”
22. “Ex-Misfits Guitarist Releases Own Version.”
23. “Exclusive Coverage!—2011 Chiller Theatre Expo—Part 2!” RadioDeadly.net, http://www.radiodeadly.net/2011/05/08/chiller-part-2.
24. Bloodfeast (August 1, 2012), “The Undead and Post Mortem Records Websites Are Down [Msg 24250]”, message posted to http://www.misfitscentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1704&start=20
25. Ian MacKaye, telephone interview with the author, January 28, 2011.
26. The Misfits, “Land of the Dead,” Misfits Records, 2009, compact disc single.
27. “Marky Ramone: The Hellbound Interview,” Hellbound.ca, September 1, 2010, http://www.hellbound.ca/2010/09/marky-ramones-the-hellbound-interview.
28. Mike IX Williams, telephone interview with author, October 2, 2012.
29. “Misfits Replace Robo, Title New Album,” Punknews.org, November 24, 2010, http://www.punknews.org/article/40723/misfits-replace-robo-title-new-album.
30. The Misfits, The Devil’s Rain, Misfits Records, 2011, compact disc.
31. Michael Christopher, “Rock Music Menu: The Misfits Are Short on Scary,” Delaware County Times, October 13, 2011, http://delcotimes.com/articles/2011/10/13/entertainment/doc4e976b083411d673653143.txt?viewmode=fullstory.
32. Mark Prindle, “The Devil’s Rain,” MarkPrindle.com, http://markprindle.com/misfitsa.htm#devils.
33. “Misfits Concert Setlists and Tour Dates,” Setlist.fm, http://www.setlist.fm/setlists/misfits-73d68ed5.html.
34. Benjy Eisen, “Inside the Misfits’ First Album in 12 Years,” RollingStone.com, August 19, 2011, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/inside-the-misfits-first-album-in-12-years-20110819.
35. “Glenn Danzig House Profile Los Angeles, CA,” Celebrity Detective, http://www.celebritydetective.com/Celebrity_Homes_Glenn-Danzig-house-Los-Angeles-CA.html.
36. Alex Distefano, “The Craziest Danzig Stalker of Them All,” LA Weekly blog, October 27, 2011, http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2011/10/danzig_stalker.php.
37. Lonny Knapp, “Glenn Danzig Duets with Melissa Auf der Maur,” Spinner, June 29, 2010, http://www.spinner.com/2010/06/29/glenn-danzig-melissa-auf-der-maur-duet.
38. Sean Cannon, “Danzig Watch 2010: In Which I Talk to Danzig Himself,” Buzzgrinder, October 28, 2010, http://www.buzzgrinder.com/2010/danzig-interview.
39. “Danzig Legacy Show Coming to NYC & CA,” Brooklyn Vegan, August 12, 2011, http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/08/danzig_legacy_s.html.
41. Dave Maher, “My Morning Jacket, Pajo Cover Misfits on Comp,” Pitchfork Media, October 18, 2007, http://web.archive.org/web/20080208192044/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/46478-my-morning-jacket-pajo-cover-misfits-on-comp.
42. Seth Graves, “Bonnaroo 2012, Gravy Style Day Three: Glenn Danzig vs. Nashville Cream,” Nashville Scene, June 10, 2012, http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2012/06/10/bonnaroo-2012-gravy-style-day-three-glenn-danzig-vs-nashville-cream.
43. “Danzig: ‘Devil’s Angels’ Cover Available for Streaming,” Blabbermouth.net, May 8, 2012, http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=173726.
44. MacKaye, telephone interview.
45. Bruce McCulloch, telephone interview with the author, February 16, 2011.
46. JR, telephone interview with the author, June 12, 2012.
Annotated Misfits Discography, 1977–2012
What follows is an updated and abridged version of the exhaustive discography Mark Kennedy published in 1993 and later posted on his website, MisfitsCentral.com. Eternal thanks to Mark for doing the lion’s share of the research in the Dark Ages of information gathering.
Singles
“Cough/Cool”
“Cough/Cool” / “She”
Recorded June 1977 at Rainbow Studios (New York, NY)
Mastered at the Spectrum (Brooklyn, NY)
Released August 1977 via Blank Records
500 black vinyl copies (first and only pressing)
Notes: The first and rarest Misfits release is also one of the most bootlegged; as early as 1982 third parties were pressing their own versions of this disc in attempts to rip off thirsty collectors. An original “Cough/Cool” is recognized by its thin paper sleeve and large center hole in record. The sleeve itself is also of the semi-gloss variety.
“Bullet”
“Bullet” / “We Are 138” / “Attitude” / “Hollywood Babylon”
Recorded January–February 1978 at C.I. Studios (New York, NY)
Produced by Dave Achelis
Released June 1978 via Plan 9 Records
1,000 black vinyl copies (first pressing)
2,000 red vinyl copies (second pressing)
Notes: First Misfits single to include the band’s first “handwritten” logo (which was, in fact, literally handwritten by Danzig). The second pressing included the slogan “better dead on red” printed on the back sleeve to trumpet the vinyl color. “Bullet” is also one of the more commonly bootlegged Misfits records. An original can be recognized by its silkscreened cover of John Kennedy’s exploding cranium that boasts a matte finish; on the record itself, there should be four to five introduction grooves before the song “Bullet” begins. Furthermore, the word “dirt” on the lyrics insert is not obscured as “dint” as on various bootlegs.
“Horror Business”
“Horror Business” / “Teenagers from Mars” / “Children in Heat”
Recorded January 26–February 5, 1979, at C.I. Studios (New York, NY)
Produced by Dave Achelis
Released June 26, 1979 via Plan 9 Records
25 sleeveless black vinyl copies (first pressing)
2,000 yellow vinyl copies (second pressing)
Notes: This single marks the first appearance on Misfits record artwork of the Crimson Ghost. Approximately 20 copies of the second pressing feature the A-side label on both sides of the record. A typographical error in the original liner notes (“note esp.Teenagers from Mars”) helps to distinguish between legitimate and bogus copies.
“Night of the Living Dead”
“Night of the Living Dead” / “Where Eagles Dare” / “Rat Fink”
Recorded June 1979 at the Song Shop (New York, NY)
Produced by Danny Zelonky
Released October 31, 1979, via Plan 9 Records
2,000 copies (first and only pressing)
Notes: This single’s cover image is an overexposed still from a Night of the Living Dead trailer (the disembodied head in question does not actually appear in the final film, however). A mastering error on this record inadvertently increased the low end to overwhelming levels; “Night of the Living Dead” and “Where Eagles Dare” were both remixed to their proper sound for inclusion on The Misfits box set; “Rat Fink,” however, went into the box set uncorrected.
“Halloween”
“Halloween” / “Halloween II”
Recorded 1981 at Mix-O-Lydian Studio (Boonton, NJ)
Produced by Mike Taylor/The Misfits
Released October 30, 1981, via Plan 9 Records
5,000 copies (first and only pressing)
Notes: This single marks the first appearance of the Famous Monsters of Filmland–style Misfits logo that the band would continue using for the rest of their career. Ten copies of “Halloween” exist that feature a black-and-white sleeve.
“Die, Die My Darling”
“Die, Die My Darling” / “We Bite” / “Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?”
Recorded July 1983 at Fox Studio (Rutherford, NJ)
Produced by Spot/The Misfits
Released May 1984 via Plan 9 Records
5,000 black vinyl, 500 purple vinyl copies (first pressing)
500 white vinyl copies (second pressing) [May 1986]
Unknown amount (third pressing) [1986]
Notes: The Misfits swiped the cover image for “Die, Die” from a 1950s issue of the pulp comic Chamber of Chills. Fourth and fifth pressings of this record in unknown quantities were done in 1991 and 1994, respectively, courtesy of Caroline Records.
“Dig Up Her Bones”
“Dig Up Her Bones” / “Hate the Living, Love the Dead”
Recorded December 1996 at Dreamland Recording Studio (Woodstock, NY) [instruments]; January 1997 at Spa Recording Studio (New York, NY) [vocals], and Baby Monster Studios (New York, NY) [sound effects]
Produced by Daniel Rey
Released July 1997 via Geffen Records
5,000 blue vinyl copies, 1 black vinyl copy, unknown amount of CD copies
Notes: The cover image for this single is a blue-tinted profile photo of Bride of Frankenstein star Elsa Lanchester.
“I Wanna Be a NY Ranger”
“I Wanna Be a NY Ranger”
Recorded June 1998 at Pro Edge (Vernon, NJ)
Produced by John Cafiero/The Misfits
Released August 1998 via Non-Homogenized Productions Ltd
50 CD copies (first and only pressing)
Notes: Misfits Creative Director John Cafiero performs vocals on this single.
“Scream!”
“Scream!”
Recorded April 1999 at Dreamland Recording Studio (Woodstock, NY)
Produced by Daniel Rey/Ed Stasium/The Misfits
Released September 1999 via Roadrunner Records
Unknown amount of CD copies (first and only pressing)
Notes: The cover image for this single is a yellow Misfits logo on a field of purple.
“Monster Mash”
“Monster Mash” / “Monster Mash”
Recorded October 18, 1997, at Power Play Studios (Newark, NJ)
Released October 31, 1999, via Misfits Records
100 red vinyl, 100 gold vinyl, 800 green vinyl copies, and 1,000 CD copies
Notes: On December 29, 1999, Misfits Records issued 1,000 glow-in-the-dark vinyl copies
“Day the Earth Caught Fire”
“Day the Earth Caught Fire” / “The Haunting/Don’t Open ’til Doomsday” (performed by Balzac)
Recorded: unknown
Produced by John Cafiero/Jerry Only/Balzac
Released 2002 via Misfits Records (CD)
Notes: This CD single is a split with Japanese punk band Balzac, who perform two songs from American Psycho.
EPs
Beware
“We Are 1
38” / “Bullet” / “Hollywood Babylon” / “Attitude” / “Horror Business” / “Teenagers from Mars” / “Last Caress”
Recorded January–February 1979 at C.I. Studios (New York, NY)
Track 7 remixed September 1979 at C.I. Studios (New York, NY)
Released January 1980 via Plan 9 Records/Armageddon/Spartan/Cherry Red
3,120 black vinyl copies (first and only pressing)
Notes: For years Beware was just as widely bootlegged as “Cough/Cool” due to its relative rarity in the United States. Originals are recognized by the matrix etching on the actual record that says “max” and gray shading amid the black-and-white “fun house” image of the band on the front cover. Many European bootlegs are also pressed on colored vinyl; the one and only true pressing was black vinyl.
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