1987 to 1994

Dubbed 'The Evil Elvis', GLENN DANZIG (a.k.a. Glenn Allen Azalone), a native of Lodi, New Jersey, piloted the MISFITS and SAMHAIN before 'going solo', and venturing into slightly more commercial waters. His first taste of work outside of the MISFITS had come with his 1981 solo single 'Who Killed Marilyn?'.

Adhering to the Henry Ford policy of 'any colour so long as it's black', the darkly clad Danzig's appeal didn't just end with angry young men, more than one infatuated female being moved enough to pay tribute to her hero by having DANZIG inspired artwork tattooed on her body somewhere or another. DANZIG's imagery is as renowned as their musical endeavours and their frontman is widely regarded as the proginitor of the "Horrorpunk" genre.

DANZIG's work has taken the band into almost unexplored areas of the Rock panorama by celebrating pure 50's Rock n' Roll, brooding Blues and fusing this into Glenn Danzig's mutated vision of Punk Heavy Metal. DANZIG evolved out of Glenn Danzig's post MISFITS band SAMHAIN during 1987. Danzig had performed with the final SAMHAIN live appearance at The Ritz in New York City on 14th July 1986. In the audience that night was producer Rick Rubin, who thought Glenn Danzig was the right candidate to front an all new act he was hoping to assemble for his new label Def Jam. Danzig dismissed the idea but his counter proposal of a fresh band involving himself intrigued Rubin enough to get plans underway.

The inaugural line-up of DANZIG included former SAMHAIN members guitarist JOHN CHRIST (initially known as John Von Christ) and ex MISFITS and ANTIDOTE drummer EERIE VON (real name Eric Stellman) now on bass guitar with drummer Chuck Biscuits (Charles Montgomery). The latter had in fact journeyed his way through numerous bands including D.O.A., VICTORIAN PORK and Canadian acts the SUBHUMANS and POINTED STICKS. In 1982 Biscuits joined the renowned BLACK FLAG and the following year CIRCLE JERKS. The drummer was also in BROWN SOUND, very briefly a member of FEAR and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS in 1985 and had created his own act FLOORLORDS recording the 'Black Ice Riot 2-Nite' single just previous to joining DANZIG.

Between MISFITS and DANZIG bassist Eerie Von had adopted the Hare Krishna influenced stage name of 'Bliss' whilst on Straight Edge Hardcore band ANTIDOTE.

The first outing for the band was on Rubin's newly created label Def American and was credited to GLENN DANZIG AND THE POWER AND FURY ORCHESTRA with the track 'You And Me (Less Than Zero)' for the 'Less Than Zero' movie soundtrack album. Line-up for this song comprised of Danzig, Christ, Biscuits and producer George Drakoulias on bass. This record also included a song recorded by ROY ORBISON but written by Danzig. A single credited likewise was issued 'You Are My Woman'.

The 'Danzig' album emerged in August 1988 and reached a respectable no. 125 on the US Billboard charts. These tracks had been committed to tape at Atlantic Recording Studios and Chung King Metal in New York City. Although uncredited due to contractual reasons, METALLICA's James Hetfield sang backing vocals on the tracks 'Twist Of Cain' and 'Possession'. A version of ELVIS PRESLEY's 'Trouble' was recorded at this time but was not chosen for the final running order. DANZIG performed their first live show in Trenton, New Jersey in September.

DANZIG returned in June 1990 with the 'Danzig II: Lucifuge' offering. The first run of CD versions of this album featured an ingenious fold out booklet that unwrapped into the shape of an inverted cross. This record put the band into the US top 50, peaking at no. 45 on Billboard.

During 1990 Danzig took time out to produce the self titled KINGHORSE album. Later that year DANZIG kicked off their 'Long Way Back From Hell' tour of America utilising Rick Dittamo on keyboards.

October of 1991 found DANZIG in downbeat mood with an acoustic concert for Halloween at Riki Rachtman of MTV's club. With Biscuits, Von and Christ on acoustic guitars Danzig crooned through originals plus blues standards by the likes of MUDDY WATERS and WILLIE DIXON. The following month the band entered the studio to cut 'Danzig III: How The Gods Kill' with co-production credited to both Rick Rubin and Glenn Danzig. Blues legend WILLIE DIXON agreed to put in a guest appearance but sadly died before the sessions could be arranged.

'Danzig III: How The Gods Kill' was released in July 1992 and entered the Billboard charts at no. 24. The album sported a distinctive piece of sleeve artwork taken from a 1976 painting entitled 'Meister und Margeritha' by Swiss artist H.R. Giger. Specifically for the album cover, Giger modified the original painting, covering an erect penis with a knife emblazoned with the Danzig skull mascot. GLENN DANZIG also released the solo outing 'Black Aria' in 1992 through his Plan 9 imprint, a totally instrumental affair with female voices provided by Janna Brown and Reneé Rubach.

In some unfortunate adverse publicity, DANZIG were seemingly thrown off a 'Monsters Of Rock' event in Italy during 1992 headlined by IRON MAIDEN after Glenn had attempted to provoke the audience in pre-event interviews into bottling WARRANT off stage.

The May 1993 'Thrall: Demonsweatlive' mini-album comprised three new tracks, including the ELVIS PRESLEY song 'Trouble', plus concert recordings from the band's 1992 Halloween show at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in California. This outing gave DANZIG an unexpected radio hit when the live version of 'Mother' gained traction on radio. A new video was hastily compiled from live footage and 'Mother' gained significant inroads on MTV rotation, giving the band a Billboard singles hit. In side activity, Christ and Biscuits would work together to record a song 'For Christ's Sake' surfacing on a compilation album 'Guitar's Practising Musicians Volume III' the same year.

A war of words with DEF LEPPARD at the 'Rock Am Ring' festival in Germany led to stories of fisticuffs as Glenn was reported to have insulted Vivian Campbell's wife backstage. With journalist's present this ugly event was widely reported. The band's world tour even took them as far as New Zealand where they came across a DANZIG covers band in Auckland and duly joined the band onstage much to the surprise of the audience. In October 1993 the group entered the studio to cut their fourth album.

The October 1994 'Danzig IV' album, solely produced by Glenn Danzig, saw the band again in the American charts at no. 29. CD variants hosted an unlisted closing track entitled 'Invocation'. Another radio success, the single 'Cantspeak', garnered the band further mainstream recognition and a lengthy North American supporting METALLICA took DANZIG to the masses. However, in August Biscuits, citing "royalty disagreements", quit the band.

Biscuits was swiftly supplanted by Joey Castillo on drums. Between DANZIG and SOCIAL DISTORTION Biscuits had formed part of a FOUR HORSEMEN reformation for a concert in honour of his brother and FOUR HORSEMEN drummer Ken 'Dimwit' Montgomery who had died of a drug overdose in 1994. Biscuits demoed with FOUR HORSEMEN before moving on to Country Punks SOCIAL DISTORTION.

On 5th July 1995 both Christ and Von quit DANZIG by letter. Von made way for new bassist Josh Lazie, actually already on the road with DANZIG as Castillo's drum tech. Castillo and Lazie had previously been with CHRONIC HALITOSIS, a side project formed by MURPHY'S LAW guitarist Todd Youth. Castillo also operated with SUGARTOOTH.

During this period Christ had been moonlighting performing movie soundtracks. He is credited with the music to 'Sex Freaks', 'Passion For Justice' and 'A Place For Annie'. Christ would form JUICE 13 with former OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Randy Castillo, Cheesebox from T.S.O.L. and GUNS N' ROSES bassist Krys Baratto. JUICE 13 would fold when Castillo resumed activities with OZZY OSBOURNE.

Following auditions former FIGHT guitarist Mark Chaussee was announced as Christ's replacement. However, days before the tour Chaussee bailed out. PRONG's Tommy Victor deputised for DANZIG's 1996 world tour which kicked off with dates on the 'Ozzfest' extravaganza. The 'Danzig V; Blackacidevil' album, the first release for the Walt Disney funded Hollywood Recordings, surprised many fans with its strong Industrial direction. ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist JERRY CANTRELL guested on three tracks, 'See All You Were', 'Come To Silver' and 'Hand Of Doom'. Joseph Bishara provided studio keyboards whilst Mark Chaussee guitar contributions were evident on the songs 'Sacrifice' and 'Serpentia'. Subsequently Glenn Danzig involved himself behind the scenes in a lengthy legal battle against Rick Rubin in regards to rights ownership of songs recorded during the Def American era.

Extracurricular activities included work on Danzig's 'Prophecy II' movie, Joey Castillo guesting on ROBERT TRUJILLO's solo album the band and for Japanese act HIDE. DANZIG also recorded a proposed EP titled 'Bleed Angel'. This record would never emerge. Upon completion of the tour both Lazie and Victor decamped with the latter reforming PRONG. Lazie undertook an abortive band project with Max Cavalera of SEPULTURA and also played for Japanese act OBLIVION DUST.

In September of 1997 CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER, SUFFER and PRONG bassist Rob Nicholson and WASTED YOUTH and ELECTRIC LOVE HOGS guitarist Dave Kushner joined the fold. However, matters were still not settled as after a special Halloween show billed under the pseudonym of BLACKACIDEVIL, which found the band treading into rare excursions into past SAMHAIN and MISFITS songs, Kushner departed.

1998 Danzig's movie 'Prophecy II' was released. Danzig himself portrayed the part of the angel Samayel. Meantime erstwhile 57 CROWN, PYGMY LOVE CIRCUS and SUCTION guitarist Jeff Chambers was enlisted into DANZIG. Nicholson though left to join WHITE ZOMBIE under a new handle of 'Blasko'. With commitments to shows in Germany Lazie was reinstated into the band. During downtime in early 1999 Castillo performed live in Japan with ZILCH.

After a lengthy absence DANZIG returned with a new album in 1999 '6:66 Satan's Child' for German label Nuclear Blast. The album had seven songs mixed by ex-ROUGH CUTT and present day ORGY guitarist Amir Derakh. Notable track inclusions would be 'Thirteen', originally written for JOHNNY CASH and recorded by the man in black in 1994, and 'Belly Of The Beast', for which a remixed version re-branded 'Underbelly Of The Beast' was used on the movie soundtrack 'The Crow:Salvation'.

DANZIG toured Europe in late 1999 supported by Danzig's old outfit SAMHAIN, the singer fronting both bands. Alongside Castillo and Lazie DANZIG pulled in CHRONIC HALITOSIS guitarist Todd Youth for live work. Youth had an illustrious Hardcore career behind him with credits ranging from AGNOSTIC FRONT, WARZONE, MURPHY'S LAW, HOMEWRECKERS, D-GENERATION and CHROME LOCUST.

1999 saw the release of JOHN CHRIST's solo album 'Flesh Caffeine' and also found Mascot Records issuing an album by tribute band GLANZIG titled 'Danzifuge'.

Lazie departed in 2000 being replaced by in DANZIG by erstwhile D-GENERATION man Howie Pyro. Castillo found time to guest on DUFF McKAGAN's 2001 ZILCH project album. DANZIG finally got around to releasing a much anticipated live album in May of 2001. 'Live On The Black Hand Side', issued via Danzig's own Evillive label, would comprise material recorded in 1992, 1994 and 2000. However, it was widely acknowledged that the more recent recordings suffered from poor quality.

In early 2002 internet leaks divulged working recordings from DANZIG for an album project with a provisional title of 'Kiss The Skull'. Promoting the May 2002 album, now called '777: I Luciferi', DANZIG announced touring plans to headline dates across America in the summer with support coming from renowned Black Metal act MARDUK and Seattle's DAMNAGED. However, MARDUK's involvement would be curtailed due to immigration problems and subsequently the rejuvenated PRONG would act as special guests. The Cincinnati, Ohio date also witnessed the addition of CHIMARIA.

Ex-DANZIG drummer Joey Castillo joined leading Stoner act QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE during August of 2002. His replacement, ex-HALF COCKED skinsman Charlee 'X' Johnson, would be inducted officially in early October. However, after just two Halloween shows in Las Vegas and San Bernardino, Johnson would be superseded by TYPE O NEGATIVE drummer Johnny Kelly for European gigs. D-GENERATION's Howie Pyro would also resume his place on bass.

DANZIG parted ways with guitarist Todd Youth in February of 2003, replacing him the following month by none other than original member Tommy Victor. This revised line up geared up for May US headline dates dubbed the 'Blackest Of The Black' tour topping a billing also comprising SUPERJOINT RITUAL, MESHUGGAH, NILE and OPETH. For these gigs former DEADLIGHTS, CROWN 57 and NOTHINGFACE bassist Jerry Montano took over Pyro's position. DANZIG's first DVD, entitled 'Archive De La Morte', coincided with these dates. In June yet another new band member stepped up, drummer Bevan Davies from the JERRY CANTRELL band and COMES WITH THE FALL taking over for the 4th July Bilbao 'Accion Rock' festival in Spain. This show also saw the band rejoined temporarily by rejoined by guitarist Todd Youth as Tommy Victor's PRONG schedule conflicted. Montano united with erstwhile NOTHINGFACE members, guitarist Tom Maxwell and drummer Tommy Sickles to announce the formation of COLDWHITECHRIST in early 2004. Ex-bassist Howie Pyro was back in the news too, founding WHEN I WAS DEAD with ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN bassist Dan Canzonieri.

A new DANZIG studio album , set for release in June through Danzig's own Evillive label in the US and Regain in Europe, would go by the title 'Circle Of Snakes'. The album, recorded at Ocean Studios in Glendale, California and Paramount in Hollywood, sold just over 6,000 copies in its first week of US sales, debuting at no. 183 on the Billboard charts. Coinciding would be the launch of a range of Glenn Danzig action figures made by Medicom Toys in Japan. Touring plans for the Autumn of 2004 saw DANZIG heading up the 'Blackest Of The Black' tour, organised by Glenn Danzig and comprising DOYLE, featuring ex-MISFITS guitarist Doyle, Norwegian Black Metal pioneers MAYHEM, DEVILDRIVER, Thrash veterans DEATH ANGEL and EYES OF FIRE. However, with just days to go before these dates the entire tour was abrutly cancelled. October of that year saw ex-guitarist Mark Chaussee joining the MARILYN MANSON band.

DANZIG attempted a further US tour in February 2005, this time with KATAKLYSM and TRIVIUM in tow. TYPE O NEGATIVE's Johnny Kelly once again filled in on drums. Glenn Danzig would be joined by his former MISFITS band mate Doyle for a set of MISFITS classics at two DANZIG East Coast shows in early March. The band also appeared at the MOT?RHEAD headlined 'Monterrey Metal Fest' at the Auditorio Coca Cola in Monterrey, Mexico in May 2005. Tommy Victor exited in June, swiftly replaced by DECONSTRUCT's Joe Fraulob.

Glenn Danzig announced a further round of 'Blackest of the Black' US dates commencing in September, these shows seeing DANZIG accompanied by CHIMAIRA, BEHEMOTH, HIMSA, MORTIIS and THE AGONY SCENE. The tail end of this trek saw the addition of ASESINO, sharing stages in Dallas, San Antonio and Los Angeles.

DANZIG regrouped during September 2006, inducting TYPE O NEGATIVE's guitarist Kenny Hickey and drummer Johnny Kelly. Subsequently, former SAMHAIN bassist Steve Zing joined the fold. The new look DANZIG performed a dozen West Coast "Blackest of The Black" live dates in November alongside LACUNA COIL, THE HAUNTED, BELPHEGOR and ASESINO. Product to back up these dates came in the form of a solo GLENN DANZIG studio set 'Black Aria II: Lilith, Whore Of The Desert', issued in October.

The double disc archive set 'Lost Tracks of Danzig', a collection of previously unreleased material, arrived in July 2007. Included would be cover versions of T-REX's 'Buick McKane', THE GERMS 'Caught In My Eye' and DAVID BOWIE's 'Cat People'. The album peaked at no. 164 on the US charts. A promotional video was shot for the track 'Crawl Across Your Killing Floor'. DANZIG put in a brief burst of US shows in October and November 2007.

'The Blackest Of The Black' tour, supported by DIMMU BORGIR, MOONSPELL, WINDS OF PLAGUE and SKELETONWITCH, commenced on 9th October 2008 in Florida at the Fort Lauderdale Revolution venue. The touring line-up for DANZIG comprised Danzig, guitarist Tommy Victor, bassist Steve Zing and drummer Johnny Kelly.

Danzig, Victor and Kelly convened in April 2009 to cut new DANZIG tracks for a fresh album. Ex-member Eerie Von made an in-store appearance at New York's Generation Records on 8th January 2010 in support of his new photography book, 'Misery Obscura: The Photography Of Eerie Von (1981-2009)'. Eerie Von also took part in an acoustic performance with Lyle Preslar, from MINOR THREAT, and Mike D'Antonio, of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.

In January 2010 ex-member Jerry Montano joined forces with Mark Zavon on guitar, Mike Dupke from W.A.S.P. on drums, and Matt James from PROGRAM THE DEAD on vocals to launch an unnamed new project.