Jealous Haters Since 1998!
Home | News | Reviews | Day In Rock | Photos | RockNewsWire | Singled Out | Tour Dates/Tix | Feeds
 

Misfits Artist Feature


Misfits menu
Rate Misfits
Misfits Bio
Discuss Misfits on the Fan Speak Boards
Misfits MP3's, Audio, Videos Directory
Misfits Lyrics and Tabs Directory
Misfits Fan Reviews
Misfits CDs, T-shirts, Posters, Song Samples
Misfits Tour Dates
Search for Misfits news
Misfits Links
 
Groovy Baby
Pretty kewl
a-ok
enough already
god awful
Vanilla Ice

 
Biography
“There’s nothing weak about it,” states founding bassist Jerry Only. “Every song is classic and when we go out there, it’s a blitzkrieg attack. Completely unrelenting. More so now than ever.”

That credo and determination is key to the Misfits latest, Famous Monsters. Track for track it’s sonic raw power; brutal and direct metal-punk music on which passionate, rough-hewn melodies unwrap tales of terror. These four imposing figures in slicked black devil-locks, leather jackets and boots blasting out their hard-hitting horror-music ‘neath the grin of their trademark Crimson Ghost skull (the legendary symbol of the group) have taken it to another level. That’s saying a lot. Then again, how many other bands can launch an album, a worldwide tour and their own line of action figures (through 21st Century Toys this Fall) without losing one iota of the intensity and vitality that’s characterized their music for over two decades?.

“We wrote forty songs in three months!” the bassist proudly exclaims of the arduous work that went into Famous Monsters. It is that day-after-day of endless rehearsals work-ethic that keeps the Misfits bludgeoning the competition. After resurfacing in 1995 after a 13 year hiatus, culminating with a legal battle with co-founder Glenn Danzig over the right to use and market the Misfits moniker, Jerry, his brother Doyle, drummer Dr. Chud and vocalist Michale Graves have made one fact perfectly clear: a revival act this ain’t. “Whatever doesn’t evolve, withers and dies,” the bassist states with a smile. “None of the bands we played with years ago have the same urgency or clout we do. We’re the band that just won’t die!”

Having formed the band in 1977 with fellow Lodi, New Jersey teenager, Danzig, Jerry sums up the Misfits’ place in the world as “a part of American society. Apple pie baseball and the Misfits!” he exclaims with a grin. Having recorded their first and now highly collectable 7" single, “Cough-Cool”/”She” with Jerry on bass and Glenn handling vocal and keyboard duties, the Misfits created a sound all their own, one allergic to fashion or trend. While their Ameri-punk contemporaries were denouncing Ronald Reagan, the Misfits set their sights on more timeless topics: “Vampires, monsters, alien invasions,” says Jerry. “C’mon, Frankenstein’s monster and the wolfman never get played out. That’s one of the reasons we’ve stuck around as long as we have.”

Teaming again with producer Daniel Rey (Ramones, White Zombie), who also helmed the band’s 1997 album, American Psycho, and working with another Ramones alumnus, mixer Ed Stasium, the band recorded Famous Monsters in a mere three weeks. Jerry feels it’s a chemistry of “collective insanity” that gives the band its hyperactive intensity. “It’s magical,” he admits. “Michale comes in with a very young and reckless style of writing. Same with Chud. With me and Doyle, there’s blood involved. It’s that family background that’s probably kept us going over the past two years. That’s probably what kept us alive over the past two years without a label behind us.”

That sheer Misfits tenacity kept the band onstage and in the public eye after parting ways with Geffen a few short months after the release of American Psycho and a tour with metal titans, Megadeth. Nothing could stop them... not even a brief hiatus from frontman Graves who sat out a European and South American tour for personal reasons. Empire Hideous/SS99 frontman Myke Hideous temporarily sat in. After many months of pursuit by various labels, the band (with Michale Graves intact) inked with Roadrunner in September of 1998 to continue the Misfits horror-flecked musical legacy.

The Misfits material, including full length LPS: Walk Among Us (1982) and Earth A.D./Wolf’s Blood (1983) has become the dark soundtrack to many young fans lives: influencing such contemporaries (or as their called in Misfit vernacular, “fiends”) as Green Day, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. “Rob is a bit like looking in the mirror for me,” says Jerry. “But the great thing is he’s put his own spin on it.” Along with the release of various compilations including Legacy of Brutality (1986) and Misfits (1987) as well as 1995's CollectionII, a tribute album entitled Violent World featuring the likes of Prong and NOFX, all of which culminated in the release of a coffin shaped box containing almost the entirety of the band’s recorded material, the Misfits have managed to keep their name very much alive despite years of inactivity, all of which has set the stage for what Jerry cryptically refers to as “the return”.

Of course, the most famous Fiends are a group called Metallica. It was the band’s late bassist Cliff Burton who had a large hand in re-sparking worldwide interest in the Misfits, wearing ‘fits shirts onstage and citing them in interviews. Metallica’s fascination with the band continues to this very day, including Misfits anthems, “Last Caress”, “Green Hell” and “Die, Die My Darling” on the recent Garage Inc. covers album.

Famous Monsters continues the tradition. Its title is taken from Forrest J. Ackerman’s infamous 70's monster mag. New songs like “Scream”, “Living Hell” and the anthemic “Fiend Club” are pure ‘fits fare. “Putting it up against Psycho, we outdid it,” the bassist bluntly states. “”Like I’ve always promised, if I put out a record that doesn’t beat the record before it, that’s it. I don’t belong in the game.” No chance of that, as the Misfits’ latest platter focuses on a band willing to take chances and steadfastly sticking to its roots. Witness the 50's doo-wop influenced “Saturday Night” which shines from Michale Graves’ empassioned performance. Even the manic Doyle-driven rockabilly rave “Scarecrow Man” pushes the envelope.

“I’m really excited about this record,” Jerry states. “I can lisiten to a song like ‘Forbidden Zone’ and put it right up there next to ‘Astro-Zombies’ which is my favorite Misfits song of all time! This record goes back to our roots: it’s got the DNA of the old days and brings that into the future. There’s not a weak link...never will be. We’ve got a pretty high standard to adhere to."

Misfits: see also
Partner Sites
Find more about this artist at Music-Sites.net! An extensive directory of music sites

Want concert tickets for Misfits? Click here to purchase premium tickets online!(not applicable to all artists)

Find more about Misfits at iSound.com

Main Features
Bio
Fan Board
Discography with CD Store, and sound samples
Misfits Links
Misfits Lyrics and Tabs
Multimedia Directory -Audio, Videos and MP3's
Write a review of Misfits
Tour Dates
Search for Misfits news
Other Sites

Rocksearch

UBL Artist Card

Launch.com artists pages

Misfits at Rolling Stone


.
News Reports
.
Day in Rock:
Metallica Launching Music Festival- Black Sabbath Replace Bill Ward Rumor Leads To Online Backlash- Aerosmith Plan US Tour- Deftones' Chi Coming Out of Coma- more

Day in Pop Whitney Houston Dead at 48- Violent Madonna Stalker Escapes- Gorillaz, James Murphy, and Andre 3000- House Canceled- Taylor Swift- more

B Sides: Howard Stern Van Halen Special Online- Ozzy Discusses Iommi's Cancer Battle on Radio Station Launch- Q&A With Slash- Lars Explains Metallica Experimenting- more

 Subscribe To Day in Rock

.
 
Reviews
.

Tony K's Favorite Album's of 2011

Road Trip: Feel the Magic - Alamos, Mexico's Festival Ortiz Tirado

Elvis Found Alive

Rock Reads: Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC

Scorpions - Comeblack

Room Service: Chicago, Ohio, Missouri and Quebec

MorleyView: Ana Kefr

A Marriage Between Music and Movies Part III: Cameron Crowe's Top 10 Greatest Hits

RIP: Etta James - The Dreamer

The Doors - Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman

Soki2u - Dancing through the Needle's Eye

Cameron Crowe's Greatest Hits Part II (25-11)

Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightning: The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960

Passport: Forty Winks- Giorgio Tuma- I Build Collapsible Mountains- Spring Offensive


.
.
.

Search for Tickets

Or Browse For Tickets

.
.
Today's Rock News
.

Bayside Singer Hospitalized- More Pink Floyd Rarities Coming?- Mars Volta Preview- New Ratt This Summer- Dance Gavin Dance Guest Singers- Tommy Bolin and Friends- more (top story)

Lost Stone Temple Pilots Clip Now Online (top story)

Bret Michaels Solo CD Features Def Leppard, Loretta Lynn and Jimmy Buffet (top story)

E Street Band Recruit Clarence Clemons' Nephew (top story)

Ozzy Osbourne May Receive Hometown Honor (top story)

Six Feet Under Lose Member (top story)

Career Spanning Grateful Dead DVD Box Set Coming (top story)

Ringo Starr's 13th All Starr Band Tour Dates (top story)

Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy To Tribute Hubert Sumlin (top story)

Jack White and Tom Jones Tribute Howlin' Wolf (top story)

Black Sabbath Day Backed By Culture Chief (top story)

Sammy Hagar To Rum America (top story)

Dave Grohl Sings Adele's Praises (top story)

Miracles, Crickets and Other Famed Backing Bands To Rock The Hall (top story)

Prong New Album Details (top story)

Evile To Tribute David Gold This Weekend (top story)

Van Halen Release TV Commercial (top story)

Clutch Releasing Double Vinyl Edition Of Blast Tyrant (top story)

Viral Hardcore Kids Video Battle (top story)

Tombs Expand Tour Plans (top story)

Dio Inspired American Idol's James Durbin (top story)

Maps & Atlases Set New Album Release (top story)

Iwrestledabearonce Get Warped (top story)

We Are Augustines To Rock Letterman (top story)

The Temper Trap Coming To America (top story)

Merrell Fankhauser Releases Best Of The Tiki Lounge DVDs (top story)

Remembering Sweet's Brian Connolly (top story)

Singled Out: Lillian Axe's Caged In (top story)

Van Halen Vs Adele (top story)

Sharon Osbourne Addresses Black Sabbath Controversy (top story)

New Slipknot Album Not Coming Soon (top story)

Beach Boys Reunion Kick Off at The Grammys (top story)

Aerosmith and Stephen King Collaboration Suggested (top story)

Killswitch Engage Made Jesse Leach Audition (top story)

Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 Team Up For Grammys (top story)

Rundgren, Lukather, Rolie For Ringo's All Star Band (top story)

Paul McCartney Streaming Live Tonight (top story)

Disturbed Member Joins Mike Portnoy's Adrenaline Mob (top story)

Red Hot Chili Peppers To Headline Hangout Music Fest (top story)

Jon Anderson Responds To Yes Reunion Rumor (top story)

Van Halen Tour Invite Surprised Kool and the Gang (top story)

Luis Alberto Spinetta RIP (top story)

Karma To Burn Going on Tour in March (top story)

Cauldron React To Juno Nomination (top story)

Exhumed Hitting The Road With Cannibal Corpse (top story)

Strangler's Hugh Cornwell and Sex Pistol's Glen Matlock Tour (top story)

Metallica Launching Music Festival (top story)

Black Sabbath Replace Bill Ward Rumor Leads To Online Backlash (top story)

Aerosmith Plan US Tour (top story)

Deftones' Chi Coming Out of Coma (top story)

Dir En Grey Pull Out of Still Reckless Tour For Medical Reasons (top story)

Flyleaf Recording New Album (top story)

Taproot Set New Album Release (top story)

Genesis Star Posed As A Roadie at Led Zeppelin Reunion Gig (top story)

Paul McCartney and Elton John To Rock The Queen (top story)

Soilwork and Arch Enemy Classic Rock Supergroup (top story)

Johnny Cash Museum Planned (top story)

Gwar Plan More North American Destruction (top story)

Demon Hunter Set True Defiance Release (top story)

Allman Brothers InTheStudio for Eat a Peach 40th Anniversary (top story)

Escape the Fate and Attack Attack! Tour (top story)

Explosions In The Sky Set For North American Tour (top story)

Two Door Cinema Club Spring Tour Coming (top story)

The Kills To Stream 10th Anniversary Show This Weekend (top story)

Otherwise Announce Pop Evil Tour Dates (top story)

Subscribe to Day in Rock Report by Email

.
.
Today's Pop News
.

Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Violent Madonna Stalker Escapes- Gorillaz, James Murphy, and Andre 3000 Team Up- House Canceled- Taylor Swift Premiere Next Week- more (top story)

Suge Knight Arrested (top story)

Special Limited Edition Katy Perry Coming (top story)

Halle Berry Death Threats (top story)

Jersey City Cops Going on Snooki Patrol (top story)

Scotty McCreery Up For Academy of Country Music Award (top story)

Nate Dogg's Rapper Friends Didn't Have His Back? (top story)

Another Chad Ochocinco Name Change Coming (top story)

Remix Beyonce and Win (top story)

Glee Tree Hugger Video Surfaces (top story)

Erasure Fill Us With Fire (top story)

Caveman Set For North American Tour (top story)

Michael Lohan Applied for Job at Burger King (top story)

Home Improvement Star Charged With DUI and Drug Possession (top story)

American Idol Dad Wasn't In Rehab (top story)

Labrinth Teams With Busta Rhymes For US Debut (top story)

$30 Million for Matt Lauer? (top story)

Lady Gaga Set For New Tour (top story)

Don Cornelius Suicide Confirmed (top story)

Katy Perry and Russell Brand Reach Comprehensive Written Settlement (top story)

Ray J Camp Deny Bodyguard Attack (top story)

Kelly Clarkson Tops The Chart With Stronger (top story)

Lana Del Rey Makes Strong Debut (top story)

Adele Closing In On 20 Weeks On Top (top story)

Puddle of Mudd Singer's Wife Wants Prenup Tossed Out (top story)

Lupe Fiasco and Bilal To Joining Robert Glasper Experiment On Letterman (top story)

Pilar Sanders Sues Deion Over Attack (top story)

24 Creator's Wife Won't Serve Jail Time For Vehicular Manslaughter (top story)

Gary Busey Goes Bankrupt (top story)

Charlie Sheen's Winning Super Bowl Party (top story)

Alcatraz Star Parminder Nagra Getting Divorced (top story)

Eva Longoria in Hollywood Fender Bender (top story)

Nate Dogg Caregivers Win Default Judgment (top story)

Halle Berry Wants Court Permission To Leave Country With Daughter (top story)

More News

.
 
anti Worthy Links
.
The Screen DoorsuperLOUDA Journal of Musical ThingsLloyd Zeffler blogDemolish MagNightwatcher's House of RockCJ ChilversDeja VoodooThe 1st Fivethecopycat.bizDay in Rock @twitter

.
  .
.

Click Here to Buy T-Shirts!
Click Here to Buy T-Shirts!

 

Tell a Friend about this page - Contact Us - Privacy - antiMusic Email - Job Postings - Advertising - Why we are antiMusic

Copyright© 1998 - 2012 Iconoclast Entertainment Group All rights reserved. antiMusic works on a free link policy for reprinting of our original articles, click here for details. Please click here for legal restrictions and terms of use applicable to this site. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the terms of use.