Misfits

The Misfits are an American punk rock band, often recognized as pioneers of the horror punk subgenre, blending punk and other musical influences with horror film themes and imagery. The group was formed in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, by vocalist, songwriter, and keyboardist Glenn Danzig. Shortly after, bassist Jerry Only joined, and the pair remained the core members through numerous personnel changes over the next six years. During this period, they released several EPs and singles, and with Only's brother Doyle on guitar, the albums Walk Among Us (1982) and Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (1983) were released—both considered touchstones of the early-1980s hardcore punk movement. Over the years, the band has undergone many lineup changes, with Jerry Only serving as the group’s only constant member.

The Misfits disbanded in 1983, and Glenn Danzig went on to form Samhain and then Danzig. Several albums of reissued and previously unreleased material were issued after the group's dissolution, and their music later became influential to punk rock, heavy metal, hard rock, and alternative rock, including high-profile acts such as Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Marilyn Manson, Green Day, the Offspring, NOFX, AFI, Avenged Sevenfold, My Chemical Romance and Cradle of Filth. After a series of legal battles with Danzig, Only and Doyle regained the rights to record and perform as the Misfits. They formed a new version of the band in 1995 with singer Michale Graves and drummer Dr. Chud. This incarnation of Misfits had more of a heavy metal sound, and released the albums American Psycho (1997) and Famous Monsters (1999) before dissolving in 2000. Jerry Only then took over lead vocals and recruited former Black Flag guitarist Dez Cadena and former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone for a Misfits 25th anniversary tour.