The Misfits are iconic in every since of the meaning, down to the distinct band imagery and famous tulmultous lineup changes.The band was formed in 1977 in New Jersey by figurehead Glenn Danzig, but it wasn't until a year later that the band would adopt the "Horror Punk" style to their music. Lyrics inspired by campy 1950s B-movies with elements of punk, thrash, and even malt shop doo wop.The Misfits sets themselves apart from their peers by painting their faces to resemble skulls when they performed onstage, and popularizing the "devilock" hairstyle which is a slick mohawks down the middle of the face.
Danzig's lyrics were often outrageous and unsettling, exemplefied greatly in the song "Last Caress" off of 1979's Beware LP. "Well I've got something to say/I killed a baby today and it/doesn't matter much to me as long as it's dead." The song about a murderer and rapist whose ready to accept his fate has it's place as one of the most disturbing tracks of all time.Classics such as "Die, Die my Darling", "Hybrid Moments" and "Halloween" have been covered by countless artists over the years.
In 1983 Danzig parted ways with The Misfits to start his new project Samhaim, leaving bassist Jerry Only at the helm and singer Michale Graves to take over vocal duties. After a lengthy legal battle over song credits and naming rights, the new look Misfits released American Psycho in 1997. The album was poorly received by critics, who noted that the music suffered severely with the absense of Danzig.
Danzig went on to have a successful and metal oriented solo career. While the Misfits still tour , they have yet to recapture the cult following they earned during their peak in the 1980s.
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