The Misfits were a punk band from Lodi, New Jersey. They formed in 1977 near the end of the punk era. There name was derived from Marilyn Monroe's movie, Misfits.
The founding members of the band were Glen Danzig on vocals and electric piano, Jerry Caiafa (Jerry Only) on bass, and Manny on drums. Their first EP, which was released on their own record label (Blank Records), didn't reflect the anger and rebellion of most punk bands.
In 1978 the punk rock influence showed with the addition of Frank Licata (Franche Coma) and Jim Catania (Mr. Jim). The next seven inch showed a more aggressive and angry style. This is a style that they perfect and keep with them throughout their entire recordings.
In the summer of 1979 a new EP was coming out and their had been some changes to the band. Bobby Steele and Joey Image had joined the band. A logo also appeared with the band, the Crimson Ghost, which was adopted from one of their shows in Kansas City.
Back then, when you bought a Misfits record, you would find an application for the Fiend Club inside. If you filled it out and sent it in they would send you free buttons, stickers, or photos. This would continue throughout the bands carrier.
The whole time the band was together, Jerry's brother, P.C. Doyle, would watch the band practice, and go to their shows. It was near Halloween 1980, and Jerry thought the time was right. He told Bobby that he was out, and Doyle was in.
In the years to come, the Misfits would produce many more records, have many more shows, and even chase some group called Motley Crue down a street before a show. In 1983 before a show, Doyle told Jerry that he didn't want to be in the Misfits anymore. They played the entire show, and at the end Doyle announced to the audience that the Misfits were breaking up. The Misfits were no more.
In the years that followed, Metallica would redo three Misfits songs, "Green Hell", "Last Caress", and "Die, Die My Darling". In 1996 the Misfits reformed. The only original members of the band to come back were Jerry Only and Doyle, who was now calling himself Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein. Two additions to the band were Dr. Chud and Michale Graves. Since 1996 they have produced two new albums, "American Psycho" and "Famous Monsters". The Misfits still continue on today.