The Untold Truth Of The Misfits Alison Braun/Getty Images
By William J. Wright/Feb. 3, 2021 3:30 pm EDT
Although they never received the accolades of The Clash, the reputation of The Ramones, or the notoriety of The Sex Pistols, The Misfits nonetheless made an indelible mark on punk rock.
Founded by Glenn Danzig in 1976, The Misfits ignored the political posturing and art-school pretense of their contemporaries to focus on themes of horror and violence. With the Crimson Ghost, the skull-faced villain of a 1946 film serial, as their mascot, the band was rooted in stripped-down, 1950s style rock n roll infused with aggression and attitude. By 1983, the band, having moved to a faster, hardcore style, collapsed under the weight of lineup changes and infighting.