N°17 MISFITS - SCREAM

If anyone knows how Scream from Misfits ties up with anything from The Cure I'll say congratz to he or she who knows. I'll tell you at the end of this piece.

The Misfits are currently formed by Jerry Only; bass and current lead vocalist (previously backing vocalist), Dez Cadena on guitar and backing vocals and recently with Eric Arce on drums. Initially formed in 1977 the lead vocalist was Glenn Danzig who stayed with the band until their split in 1983. Followed by Michale Graves who'd be singing the lyrics at the re-start in 1995 untill 2000. Ever since bass guitar player Jerry Only started to sing lead vocals.

As you can read, punkband Misfits had a bumpy career with a huge amount of changes in line-up. They've had about 20 different band members during their 22 year career lifespan. The only steady factor was Jerry Only who now is the face of the band.

They are punk, yet not Brittish since formed in New Jersey in the USA and were named after Marilyn Monroe's last film The Misfits. As their original bassist left the band after a single month of jamming, a young man named Jerry Caiafa was introduced to the band. In this original format they released their first single called Cough/Cool. Caiafa's name was misspelled on the EP and he decided he only wanted to be called Jerry Only ever since. His character was born introducing the Devilock (short sides and long in the middle, combed forward) hairstyle.

Misfits released 3 albums during the first part of their existence of which Static Age, their first, to me is still their best. I believe many of the Misfits fan would agree with me. As with many bands, the old stuff usually is the coolest as well. Before releasing their 3rd album Earth A.D/Wolfs Blood the band split up after a huge amount of disagreements between all of the band members. October 29th, 1983 would be their last concert for a very long time. Each of them went their own way. But in the break up period, Misfits would grow popularity to a peak. Huge bands like Guns 'n Roses (Attitude) or Metallica (Last Caress) made covers of  their original songs bringing them to a broader audience. That audience wanted to hear more but ... during that same period, royalties problems would mean the definite end of the band as such it was formed back in 1977.

In 1995, Only would revive the dead patient back to live together with former founding member Doyle 'Wolfgang von Frankenstein'. They sought, and found, a new lead singer for the coming 6 years and they would release 2 albums in that period. One of those albums was American Psycho, named after the 1991 thriller with Christian Bale. Once more in 2001 the band would have great disputes between the members and again Misfits lost not only it's lead singer, but also one of the last remaining founding members. Bye bye Frankenstein.

Jerry only didn't give up and kept Misfits alive with changing line-ups. He was joined by well know musicians as Marky Ramone (Ramones) and Dez Cadena (former Black Flag and still a current member of Misfits). Also  Danzig, the original lead vocalist would return for a short reunion and so Misfits kept going for the next 8 years mostly with Jerry Only himself on vocals. Only one more album would be released but it is said they're working on new material for their new album The Devil's Rain. An album also named after a movie as is their band's name.

Misfits are punk, rock, speed, hyperspeed some say, heavy metal, hardcore, horror, goth, ... just name it. Off course you gotta love it and if you don't; maybe the next music link will suit you better.

Q,

Oh yeah the link with The Cure? Still haven't figured it out huh? Jerry Only ... born in Lodi, New Jersey, USA on April 21st 1959. Robert Smith ... born in Blackpool, Great Britain on April 21st 1959. A bit far fetched maybe but it does tie in, ... right?