Although a bona fide American institution the MISFITS came to the attention of the European Rock audience through METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton's seeming insistence on wearing MISFITS T-shirts most days! The group's initial impact had been as an underground Punk act in the early eighties, albeit one that eschewed social and political posturing and bizarrely fused 50s Pop melodies with Metal riffs and a deliberate comic book anti hero imagery. The band, complete with B movie horror facepaint, soon became a cult hit in the clubs with their merchandise being much sought after.

The MISFITS were created as THE MISFITS in Lodi, New Jersey during January 1977 by musclebound twenty one year old vocalist Glenn Anzalone, guitarist Jimmy Battle, Diane DiPiazza on bass with Manny Martínez on drums. Anzalone had previously operated with covers bands WHODAT AND BOOJANG and TALUS. The band name was taken from Marilyn Monroe's final 1961 movie 'The Misfits'. However, this first formation splintered, with both Battle and DiPiazza exiting, after little more than a few weeks.

The MISFITS was rebuilt as a trio by drawing in bass player Jerry Caiafa. Caiafa soon changed his name to Jerry Only whilst Anzalone opted for a new surname of Danzig for the debut single 'Cough/Cool', these two tracks, 'Cough/Cool' and 'She', recorded in June 1977 at Rainbow Studio. 'Cough/Cool' saw release, as a restricted run of just 500 copies, that August as the inaugural product for Blank Records with catalogue number 001. Notably, Jerry Caiafa's credit on the sleeve would be mis-spelt as "Caifa". This mistake would prompt the bassist's more familiar stage-name of Jerry Only, as the musician advised the band that, due to the mistake, he wished to be known as "Jerry, Only Jerry".

Still billed as THE MISFITS, the group released the follow up 'Bullet' EP, a selection of 17 tracks cut in January 1978 at C.I. Recording in New York, on the Plan 9 label in June 1978. Deliberately designed to shock, the EP featured a photograph of President Kennedy on the sleeve with a bullet hole in the head. The first 1000 black vinyl copies were clad in hand-screened gatefold covers, some of which were individually tinted by Danzig himself. Once these sold out, a second manufacturing run produced a further 2000 copies in red vinyl in January 1979. These variants featured different sleeve artwork on the reverse bearing the legend "Better Dead On Red".

As Manny had departed prior to these sessions joining this formidable duo were guitarist Franché Coma (Frank LaCita) and drummer Mr. Jim (Jim Catania), the latter a previous WHODAT AND BOOJANG member. Mr. Jim also operated his own act CONTINENTAL CRAWLER with another ex-WHODAT AND BOOJANG man guitarist Stevie Lin issuing a three track single in 1979.

The MISFITS lost Coma and in October 1978 Rick Riley came in before his position was taken a few weeks later by ex-PAROTTOX, THE SMITHEREENS, THE WHORELORDS, SLASH and THE SKABS guitarist Bobby Steele. Mr. Jim also bailed out and in came drummer Joey Image also of THE WHORELORDS (real name Joey Poole). Mr. Jim and Riley created ACES AND EIGHTS.

Meantime, the 'Horror Business' three track EP, recorded with engineer Dave Achelis between January 26th and February 5th 1979 at at C.I. Recording, emerged on June 26th. This single gave rise to some highly sought after collectables. The first pressing hit technical problems, resulting in only 25 records being manufactured. Taking the masters to another pressing plant the band produced the intended run of 2000 copies, but a handful of these were mis-pressed, being doube A sided. Copies of the original run have fetched $1500 on the open market.

The songs featured on 'Horror Business' were originally intended to form up the B side of an intended 12" release to be titled 'Who Killed Marilyn?'. However, once an acetate had been produced, Danzig's lack of funds prevented the full release and so the 7" EP was issued in its stead. Significantly, 'Horror Business' launched the longstanding band skull icon - the "Crimson Ghost", a serial supervillain character from the 1940s television detective series.

THE MISFITS continued their EP campaign with Danny Zelonky produced 'Night Of The Living Dead' arriving on October 31st 1979. Of these three songs, put down onto 8 track tape at the Song Shop in New York in June, 'Rat Fink' was a cover rendition of an ALLAN SHERMAN track from his 1963 album 'My Son, The Nut'. The first copies were sold at a Halloween concert held at Irving Plaza in New York. 2000 copies of 'Night Of The Living Dead' were pressed.

A projected European tour of December 1979, with Doyle Only taking over from Steele, who quit to join THE UNDEAD, guesting for THE DAMNED increased the band's notoriety when Danzig and Steele were jailed for assault. THE MISFITS in fact only performed one show, at Leicester De Montfort Hall, before pulling out of the tour. To coincide, the 'Beware' EP was issued in January 1980 by Armageddon Records, combining tracks from the 'Bullet' and 'Horror Business' EPs but substituting 'Children In Heat' with a previously unreleased 'Last Caress', remixed from the January 1978 sessions.

Upon their return to America, Arthur Googy (Arthur McGuckin) replaced Image in April 1980. Three new tracks had were recorded with producer Robbie Alter on a 16-track machine at Master Sound Productions in Franklin Square, New York on August 7th 1980. Bobby Steele opted out and was replaced by Jerry Only's younger brother, Paul "Doyle von Frankenstein" Caiafa. The new look band first featured on the 'Three Hits From Hell' EP released in April 1981. Image joined ACES AND EIGHTS with Riley and renamed himself 'Bazooka Joey' much later to join HUMAN BUFFET. Strangely, another New York act, fronted by Liz Davies, decided to release a single 'Mommi I'm A Misfit' billed as THE MISFITS the same year.

The group's first full-length opus, 'Walk Among Us', was delivered in March 1982 on Ruby Records. These songs had been tracked throughout early 1981 at the Mix-O-Lydian Studio in Boonton, New Jersey before undergoing an overhaul in January 1982 at Quad Teck in Los Angeles, California, adding new guitar parts and a fresh vocal for the track 'Vampira'. The album also included one live track, 'Mommy, Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight?', taped on December 17th 1981 at the Ritz in New York. 'Walk Among Us' was to be the first product to feature the truncated band title of MISFITS.

The MISFITS toured across the USA throughout September 1982 backed by THE NECROS. Quite surreally, on October 17th, the entire band was arrested in New Orleans. Apparently whilst searching for the final resting place of voodoo practitioner Marie Laveau the musicians had been involved in activities not in keeping with usual cemetery practices. Bailed out of jail, the MISFITS ignored a scheduled court appearance in order to travel to their next concert. Danzig had for some time been assembling tracks for a solo venture dubbed SAMHAIN and included two of these songs, 'Bloodfeast' and 'Death Comes Ripping'.

December 1982's live album 'Live Evil' has a guest appearance from BLACK FLAG man HENRY ROLLINS on the track 'We Are 138'. The following year Eerie Von was out amid bitter acrimony, his place being taken by Todd Swally and then former BLACK FLAG man Robo. The MISFITS final album with Glenn Danzig, 'Earth A.D./Wolfsblood', saw issue in December 1983. Danzig soon launched into a solo career with SAMHAIN.

Eerie Von would be back for his ROSEMARY'S BABIES band releasing 1983's 'Blood Lust' album. Reverting back to his real name of Arthur McGuckin the ex-MISFITS drummer founded the Hare Krishna band ANTIDOTE. Googy also became a devotee of Krishna and adopted the name 'Bliss'.

The band suffered with an ever revolving door when it came to drummers with ex-GENOCIDE and VERBAL ABUSE man Brian 'Damage' Keats having a stint before the return of Swally. Keats stay was about as it could be. The drummer did not even last one gig falling off his drum stool drunk after just one song. Immediately post MISFITS Keats travelled in rapid succession through HELLBENT, THE KRETINS, THE HELLHOUNDS and THE SKULLS. Keats would later clean up his act to figure in ANGELS IN VAIN, PRINCESS PANG, RAGING SLAB and DOPPLER. The MISFITS filled the gap with former SARDONICA drummer Dr. Chud.

In 1987 METALLICA, fast rising to the peak of their global popularity, introduced a whole new legion of listeners to the MISFITS by covering 'Last Caress' and 'Green Hell' on their 'Garage Days' EP.

Upon the dissolvement of the MISFITS some members united with ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN vocalist JEFF SCOTT SOTO to found the shortlived Rock band KRYST THE CONQUEROR. Chud issued a solo album under the titled SACRED TRASH in 1994.

Danzig meanwhile attempted to create a new act with members of MINOR THREAT and THE MEATMEN personell Lyle Preslar and Brian Baker but instead created SAMHAIN reuniting with Eerie Von (now on bass guitar) and Preslar. Baker went on to DAG NASTY, JUNKYARD and BAD RELIGION. SAMHAIN, retaining the services of Von, eventually evolved into the internationally recognised DANZIG.

By October 1995 a reformed MISFITS comprised of Only, the then nineteen year old vocalist Michael Graves, guitarist Doyle ('Wolfgang Von Frankenstein') and Dr. Chud, a man who wears a jacket made from a real cow's ribcage and spine covered in goat hair. Originally Doyle and Only had made overtures towards Dave Vanian of THE DAMNED as a potential frontman, but this offer was declined. Nevertheless, the new look formation debuted onstage with an unnannounced guest slot to TYPE O NEGATIVE in New York on October 30th. The band got back into live action proper touring America on a package bill with ANTHRAX. In early 1996 Caroline Records celebrated the return of the band with a monster, suitably coffin shaped box set comprising 101 tracks. That May the MISFITS cut the seven song demo 'Mars Attacks' prior to launching into the worldwide 'Resurrection' tour.

The group's next product, the 1997 album 'American Psycho', saw production duties going out to SHRAPNEL guitarist Daniel Rey. However, Myke Hideous, billed as 'Spy' and previously of THE HIDEOUS EMPIRE, temporarily replaced Graves for two tours in 1998. Switching to the Roadrunner label, 'Famous Monsters', again fronted by Graves, followed to muted response in 1999, but fragmented a year later.

The MISFITS were honoured with the tribute album 'Violent World' which saw the likes of PRONG, THERAPY? and NOFX paying homage. Steele now divided his time between MOURNING NOISE, the ZERO PROPHETS and TIMES SQUARE, the latter act with his girlfriend world champion boxer Jill Matthews.

2001 saw the band's status being recognized with the release of two toy action figures of Jerry Only and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein.

Collectors should note that not only was there an alternative New York band titled MISFITS of 1981 but also two acts of the same name from the 60's from San Diego and Texas as well as a Scottish version. All issued one off singles.

Ex-members Michael Graves and Dr. Chud founded the suitably titled GRAVES in league with guitarist Tom Logan and former FAST TIMES bassist Graham Westfield. By December of 2002 Graves has united with ANGELSIN guitarist Loki, MISTER MONSTER bassist JV Bastard and drummer Paul Lifeless from A LIFELESS ALLIANCE and MISTER MONSTER in an all new band unit.

The band announced a 25th anniversary tour of Europe for January and February of 2003, commencing in Barcelona on January 22nd, featuring a band unit comprising of Jerry Only, Marky Ramone of THE RAMONES and BLACK FLAG's Dez Cadena. News emerged that Only's side venture 'Project 1950', involving Punk style cover versions of 50's classics, was also nearing completion. The 'Project 1950' recordings would include sessions from legendary producer Phil Spector and BLONDIE's Jimmy Destri. The band announced an ambitious set of touring plans for 2003, dubbed the 'Misfits Fiend Fest' US dates in June had the band packed alongside THE DAMNED, THE DICKIES, AGNOSTIC FRONT, BALZAC and D.I.

European festival dates in the Summer of 2004 saw Jerry Only joined by Marky Ramone of the RAMONES and Dez Cadena from BLACK FLAG. Following a brace of Russian shows in St. Petersburg and Moscow the band returned to the USA for an appearance at the Worcestor 'Horrorfest' and a special Halloween themed show alongside ALICE COOPER at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

Ex-MISFITS drummer Dr. Chud launched a new project DR. CHUD'S X-WARD in early 2004, issuing the album 'Diagnosis For Death" released on Chud's own BloodWork Records label. That November the Medicom Toy company in Japan manufactured soft vinyl figurines, with movable arms, hands, feet and head, of Jerry Only and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein. The band also signed to Vision Street Wear for a range of MISFITS footwear, skateboard decks and wheels.

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 2005. Doyle would also be assembling his new GORGEOUS FRANKENSTEIN project. Meantime, MICHALE GRAVES issued his debut solo album, 'Punk Rock Is Dead', in June via Horror High Records. Extensive global touring by the MISFITS in the Summer of 2005 would see a return of Robo to the drum stool. Other MISFITS related product came in the form of 'Fiend Club Lounge', a Lounge tribute album released via Rykodisc. September UK tour dates saw OCTOBER FILE as support act.

MICHALE GRAVES donated his vocals to the ROADRUNNER UNITED 25th anniversary album 'The All-Stars Sessions', featuring on the track 'Superheroes' composed by Matthew Heafy of TRIVIUM.