Few rock bands can define the musical genre of punk rock as well as the Misfits. Along with popular acts such as the Sex Pistols, this band helped to define punk rock, as well as create an offshoot of its own, referred to as horror punk. This band has had several transformations in its members but has always kept the punk rock spirit alive.
When the band first formed in 1978, Glenn Danzig was the front man of the band. He wrote several songs, played the electric piano, and was singer for the band. The other members at this point were Jimmy Battle, Manny Martinez, and Diane DiPiazza. Jimmy and Diane only stayed with the band about a month before they were replaced by Jerry Caiafa. When the band was set with its members, they went to the studio and began recording.
The Misfits' very first single was called "Cough Cool." They released the song themselves through their own recording label, Blank Records. Though they played a few shows and did not immediately have a large fan base, the band continued to play and worked on its own particular sound. By October they began to be influenced by other punk rockers, such as the Ramones, and brought in a new guitarist, Franche Coma. It was around this time that they caught a break and had the opportunity to record a full-length album. They recorded 17 songs, including "Teenagers from Mars" and "Return of the Fly." By the end of 1977, The Misfits were beginning to gather a fan base, and Manny Martinez was replaced by Jim Cantania. There were no labels that were immediately interested in The Misfits' first album, so the band took four of its songs and released them as an EP under their own label.
The band began touring in support of their EP and began to take on a ghoulish appearance. Two of the band's members were not happy with the direction the band was taking. Franche Coma and Jim Cantania left the band and were quickly replaced with Joey Image and Bobby Steele. The band started touring together over the next year, and Jerry Caiafa began his signature hairstyle to be known by many punk rockers as the "devil lock." The band's fan base was growing, as was their popularity. They were perfecting their horror punk style all along, and they decided to start a fan club dubbed "The Fiend Club."
The band suffered a bad experience on an England musical tour that led to the loss of Joey Image as a band member, though they released another EP shortly after their return. They took some time off to recover and regrouped with more ideas for new band members and replacing some of the old.
This band has had its ups and downs. Their turnover rate has been high, but in the end, The Misfits is a band that helped to define what is now called punk rock. They were not afraid to stand out from others and look to a dark and negative theme to sustain them as rockers. Their devotion and dedication has won them two decades of being involved and very influential in the music business. The Misfits created their own successes and have persevered in the punk rock movement.
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