Hallowe'en is coming..Misfits time!

If you like Misfits and aren't a douchebag then you know that Danzig and Graves were both excellent frontmen, with fine singing voices, and to say that the 'only Misfits is a Misfits with Danzig' is unfair and pretty short sighted. However it's perfectly fine to say Misfits without Danzig or Graves isn't really the Misfits, but I'd still go see the Frankenstein's Monster of a band that plays today, just for fun.

With Hallowe'en on the way, here's a sample platter of the ghoulish guys that inspired a generation of goth punks with Mypspace names like NightShayde. They are possibly known for their skeletal merch as much as their music - I distinctly remember a teenage neighbour of mine being in shock that they were a band and not a clothing company - but they have some good tunes too y'know. And to lay all my cards on the table - I prefer Graves-era to Danzig-era. Why? I just prefer things like good production, songwriting and superior singing..

I Turned Into A Martian



After hearing about the Misfits for a long time through the late 90s/early 90s punk bands I listened to, I finally got the album Walk Among Us. I was horrified. Not because of their imagery/lyrics, but because of the production quality. I had been raised on 90s production and this harsh noise was too much for me at first. But slowly the hooks embedded themselves in my brain and I began to appreciate a good 'woah' with this song.

Skulls



This was by far and away the standout song on Walk Among Us for me. I could see a direct link to Alkaline Trio (then and probably still now my favourite band) with deep, melodic pop-influenced vocals contrasting with dark lyrics. The chorus is a punk-hook masterclass; no woahs needed here.

Bullet



Ok, so here goes. Misfits recorded an album called Static age in 1978, which wasn't released until 1997, when some of the guitars were re-recorded. This is why it has an old-Misfits feel (including that 50s Rock N Roll vibe y'know) but the production doesn't sound terrible. This is the perfect bridge between old and new Misfits and Static Age is probably my favourite Danzig album.

Dig Up Her Bones



Oh yes. That's more like that. You hear that kids? That's good production! You feel how it caresses (sorry) your eardrums instead of stabbing them? And that's before the gloriously warm vocals of Michael Graves enter the fray. For some American Psycho was the death of Misfits, I thought it was the beginning of a new era. *insert Graves/Death/Undead/Zombie reference here* Now the riffs were heavier (and could be heard properly), the lyrics were still campy and horror influenced and the vocals were both familiar and fresh.

Scream!



Following American Psycho was Famous Monsters, the last album with Graves on vocals. Scream! is one of many songs that sounded instantly recognisable (the repeated 2 lines of the chorus, slightly altered each time echoing Skulls) while still feeling like a different beast to Danzig fare, through the energy and metal-influenced guitar tones.

Saturday Night



I couldn't leave this one out. 50s crooning that Danzig leant towards but never fully committed to. Never go full 50s crooner rock and roll ballad? That's a matter of opinion. One thing is for sure though, the ladies love it.

Halloween



And of course...for the month that's in it!