THIS MUSIC LEAVES STAINS

The Evilive tour hits Denver’s Mercury Cafe, September 29, 1982. Top photo: Robo, Glenn, and Doyle looking like a set of Misfits action figures (note the attentive fan with a Necros sticker across his forehead). Middle: Jerry and Robo, the rhythm section. Bottom: Denver trying to get that pit started. C’mon, Denver! Make it happen! Photographer unknown.

It’s five o’clock somewhere: Misfits bass player Jerry Only winds down with some suds, date and photographer unknown.

The Misfits live at the East Side Club in Philadelphia, August 1981. Clockwise from top left: Jerry Only makes fingerless gloves seem cool, Glenn Danzig emoting with no shirt (behind him Doyle’s taking no bare chested risks), the band as seen from the back of the hall (L-R: Jerry, Googy, Glenn, Doyle). Photographer for all shots believed to be Eerie Von.

They’re lovin’ it: Glenn Danzig (left) and Arthur Googy at a Philadelphia area McDonald’s, August 1981. A somewhat ironic image, considering that nine months later an altercation between these two at a Los Angeles McDonald’s over the price of a cheeseburger would compel Arthur to quit the Misfits entirely. McBummer. Photo by Eerie Von.

Spook City, USA: the Misfits performing on Halloween night, 1979, at Irving Plaza in Manhattan. It was at this gig that the group officially released their fourth single, “Night Of The Living Dead,” selling copies to attendees for just two bucks (good luck finding original copies for that price today). L-R: a bit of Jerry, a bit of Joey, most of Danzig, Bobby’s arm. Photo by John Rynski.

While other portions of Static Age would eventually turn up on later Misfits releases the album was not presented as originally intended until 1996′s four disc Box Set. A year later, this single disc was made available to Jane and Joe CD Buyer (and it included one song not in the box set, ‘cause that’s how they getcha).

The Misfits. Were using period. For emphasis. Before you were. This 1978 poster promotes the group’s second single and first tour (which was hampered slightly by guitarist Franché Coma’s sudden decision to leave the band).

Misfits fan Joey Ramone sporting a “Horror Business” shirt during his hilarious guest appearance on “The Drew Carey Show,” originally aired September 30, 1998. Watch the segment here.

Backstage with the Misfits: these evocative shots of Doyle (top left), Danzig (top right), and the pair with Jerry Only (bottom) were taken in 1982 by an unknown party. Surprising the band never used them in any kind of official capacity.

A Misfits Fiend Club mailing from Summer 1982 announcing not just the arrival of Robo but the pending releases of Earth A.D., the group’s second full length album, and Evilive, a concert EP, as well as Evilive’s corresponding tour dates. Some of these venues would change; the Misfits were spared the indignity of playing a roller rink when the 10/2 gig moved to L.A.’s Florentine Gardens. Also, while Evilive was released on time Earth A.D. languished for a year, arriving two months after the Misfits broke up.

Punk rock disaster: the Misfits pretend to be ill-fated passengers on Universal Studios California’s recreation of the Airport ‘77 set, November 1981. L-R: Jerry Only, Arthur Googy, Glenn Danzig, Doyle. Universal probably won’t let you bring guitars into the park these days. Photographer believed to be Ken Caiafa.

Misfits fans can be pretty intense, as the kid at the center of this image illustrates. Even his friends seem wary (Danzig is also avoiding direct eye contact). From an unidentified concert by an unidentified photographer.

The Misfits on the opening date of their Walk Among Us tour, February 28, 1982, at Washington, D.C.’s 930 Club. Top: Glenn Danzig in requisite crouch, beltin’ out his tune. Middle: Arthur Googy admires Doyle’s technique (or his “Gigantor” shirt). Bottom: Jerry Only in the throes of performance. Photographer unknown. 

To wit: enjoy 12 Hits From Hell over here (yeah, I know, it’s broken up over a few parts, woof, but this upload’s cleaner than any of the uninterrupted videos I found).

Ancient monster design: Misfits guitarist Paul “Doyle” Caiafa in profile, 1994. Photo by Doug Custer.

Striking flyer for a 1978 New York City gig featuring the Victims, the only other band the Misfits allowed on their Plan 9 record label. 57 Club is of course long gone; today that address houses Unitas, the St. Mark’s Pl Institute For Mental Health, which provides psychiatric/chemical dependence care services for New York residents of Polish and Eastern European heritage.

Children in heat gather to see the Misfits at the Henry Ford Community Center, Dearborn, MI, January 7, 1983. Singer Glenn Danzig (right) surveys the teeming crowd, it seems, while guitarist Doyle makes sure his instrument hasn’t fallen off. Photographer unknown.