I love the Misfits. You may or may not love the Misfits. They have some great songs. They have some really great songs beyond the confines of the Misfits. There also exists many terrible terrible things under the Fiend Club umbrella.
We’re going to play a game.
Which is the worst?
Please, spill some fanboy tears and discuss. I’d love you to elaborate on your answers, and maybe even point out something I’ve missed.
What’s the Worst Misfits-Related album?
☠💀☠
So Ultimate Classic Rock came up with a Zombie Apocalypse 2012 Playlist (in “honor” of the face-eater in Florida). Great idea. OK list. Granted, the name of the site is Ultimate Classic Rock, but let’s add some more zombie songs.
Their list?
Tom Petty, ‘Zombie Zoo‘
Alice Cooper, ‘Zombie Dance‘ and ‘I Love the Dead‘
The Ramones, ‘Pet Sematary‘
The Zombies, ‘Time of the Season‘
Jonathan Coulton, ‘Re: Your Brains‘
Rob Zombie, ‘Living Dead Girl‘
U2, ‘Wake Up Dead Man‘
The Hooters, ‘All You Zombies‘
Michael Jackson, ‘Thriller‘
Let’s expand our list to cannibalism, face-eating, and general insanity or gore.
I’m sure there are many many more. Help me list ’em?
Ultimate Classic Rock | Zombie Apocalypse 2012 Playlist
Just over a year ago, I tried out a blog post asking for your input. It totally didn’t work. No one tried it. So I’m gonna try it myself, and you’re going to hopefully reply this time. I think I have a few more regular readers now. Here are the rules as I set forth before…
Okay. You just found out that you’re secretly related to Oprah, and since she knows you’re a huge music fan… she’s letting you put together the concert of all concerts to celebrate. Since you have Oprah money, you pretty much have no limit there, but you are limited to bands that are alive and actively together, or that you believe could be reasonably brought back together with a little grea$ing of the wheels. Example… you’re probably not going to get Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite or (even the Illusions tour) lineup to get on stage together… but you probably could get Steven Tyler & Joe Perry in the same room.
Put together the whole thing…
- The Venue: A small club? A stadium or amphitheater? Your living room?
- The Run: Is it a one-night-only deal, or is this a 3-day festival?
- The Name: Every killer show has to have a killer title. No “w00t-stock”, please.
- The Bands: Who’s playing & in what order? Bonus points for linking to ‘em.
- Added Insanity: Want a 20 minute drum solo with Neil Peart & Lars Ulrich? Want an unplugged duet with Danzig & Shakira? Want GWAR to disembowel you on the stage? A guitar battle between Eric Clapton and Slash? Want all the bands to do nothing but Black Sabbath covers? Can’t hurt to throw the idea out there!
- Micro-Manage: If you really want to get nuts, what do you want to see in each performer’s setlist? Either highlights or the whole thing.
I’ll think about mine while you post yours in the comments below, and in a few days or so I’ll revisit the whole idea in another blog post. Links to bands’ websites, videos, and music strongly encouraged!
Got it? I’m working under that set of guidelines.
I’d have just 2 sages, going back-to back with maybe 10 minutes in between each set. None of this bands playing at the same time crap like I’ve seen at some festivals where 2 of the 5 bands I came to see are playing at the same damn time.
I narrowed it down to 6 days with 10 bands each day. I didn’t work out set times… and the order is more random than I’d like. Pairing bands can be difficult. One one hand similar stuff sometimes pairs well… on the other it sometimes gets boring.
My problem is that I like a lot of bands & they constantly go in & out of rotation. I’m always forgetting & adding. This list might change if I were to start it all over tomorrow.
I’d like to see all the bands in their current incarnations as per the rules. I’ve seen some of them and they’re great live acts… I’d like to see what the others can do live. And, of course, if I had Oprah money, I’d put my bands in there too. Who wouldn’t?
I’d need 2 equal size stages… something like a parking lot venue where the crowd just turns around.
I’d call it AiXeLFest 3.0, because it would kind of be like Leonard Part 6. No one would have remembered 1 or 2. Well, some people would.
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Band [ Stage # ] Why?
AiXeLsyD [Stage 1] Why not? You’d put your band on too, if you could, right?
The Legendary Hucklebucks [Stage 2] These guys are ridiculously entertaining. As for the Metallica cover, they played it live once and the crowd went NUTS.
Michale Graves [Stage 1] Dude works hard, writes some good stuff. I’d like to hear some Graves & Gotham Road stuff… plugged in.
Locksley [Stage 2] Killer live band that I’ve had the honor of playing with, and damn nice guys.
Enemy You [Stage 1] I have one of their albums and I need more. It’s ridiculously catchy.
The Nobodys [Stage 2] These guys are hilarious potty mouths, and I bet they’d be a great show.
BARS [Stage 1] I can’t seem to find much about this band online. Did they even tour? Do they still exist?
Fist Fight in the Parking Lot [Stage 2] Prepare to have your face rocked off. You can claim it later at the lost & found.
Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Willie Nelson [Stage 1] One of the coolest concerts I’ve ever seen was Willie Nelson. The dude is a natural entertainer & such a great songwriter.
Motörhead [Stage 2] Have you seen the movie Lemmy? Who wouldn’t want this guy to perform? They rock harder than most bands can even imagine rocking.
Secrets Lie Within [Stage 1] These dudes are great friends that AiXeLsyD & Gasoline Dion played many shows with. I dig their sweet sugary sound.
Duncan Redmonds [Stage 2] The man is a genius. So many bands, so many songs. His acoustic gigs look great on YouTube. I’d like to hear stripped-down stuff from any of them.
I Voted For Kodos [Stage 1] Never had the pleasure of seeing them live. They were a ska band, and then they weren’t, I think. Ska is generally a fun time, and these dudes wrote some catchy songs.
Steel Panther [Stage 2] Why wouldn’t you want these guys at an almost week-long party?
The Misfits [Stage 1] At least someone is playing the songs. I’d like to get as many of them as possible in one place and see either a reconciliation or a brawl.
Reel Big Fish [Stage 2] One of the better bands I’ve seen live… they’re all kinds of crazy & fun.
Guns ‘n’ Wankers [Stage 1] I love the self-titled CD, it’s absolute genius. Both versions. I’d love to see this band live.
Mighty Mighty Bosstones [Stage 2] These guys are high-energy awesomeness live. Must be that dude that just dances.
NOFX [Stage 1] I’d love to see them again. They have an insane back-catalog of songs and I like most all of ‘em.
Flogging Molly performing live at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Flogging Molly [Stage 2] Ridiculously awesome live show. Ridiculously catchy easily accessible songs. Ridiculous ability to get the crowd pumped. I’d go see them any time I can.
Gasoline Dion [Stage 1] Again, if you were doing it & had a band, you’d put yourself on too. Or maybe I just have a big rockstar ego.
Screeching Weasel [Stage 2] They’re the “hey those aren’t the Ramones?” of my generation. I know they don’t play much. I’d make them.
Ann Beretta [Stage 1] One of my favorite bands. There was some kind of split, but Rob & Russ soldiered on to make more killer music.
800 Octane [Stage 2] Don’t know much about them other than I found them online many years ago & totally dug all their stuff.
Tom Green [Stage 1] Listen to this. This dude is a great rapper, and bound to be wildly entertaining and unpredictable. His Prepare for Impact album is incredible.
Dropkick Murphys [Stage 2] Great live show. Catchy songs. Celtic. What more do you need?
ALL [Stage 1] ALL! Oddly, I like ALL better than that other band that they’re almost all in.
Band of Skulls [Stage 2] I bought this album recently and couldn’t get it out of the CD player. I kept letting it play.
The Offspring performing lite in Fortaleza, Brazil, November 15th 2008 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Offspring [Stage 1] Another memorable live show. These guys are pros all the way, and quite memorable. I saw this tour where they had this “intermission” with bubble machines and inflatable furniture… it was hilarious.
Avenged Sevenfold [Stage 2] I liked this band the instant I heard them on a Hopeless Records comp. Then, they blew up. Good for them!
Sing the Evens, Play the Odds [Stage 1] Fun fact: I named this band. They’d do it if I asked nicely. They were a killer live show & great friends. I feel like they had another album in them somewhere.
The Bloody Seamen [Stage 2] You need to see this band. Everyone needs to see this band. What are you waiting for? Go!
The Eyeliners [Stage 1] Beautiful girls playing poppy punk rock songs with mad skills? I’m in. Gel is one of my favorite guitarists!
Transplants [Stage 2] I liked the first album, and I’d love to see how they do it live.
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg [Stage 1] This has to be a great show. I wanna hear all these Ramones Songs. Marky is a space cadet.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes [Stage 2] They’ve got to be a great time. They were booed at PNC Park once because Yinzers are dumb. They need to come back to an appreciative audience.
Poison [Stage 1] Balk or scoff if you want, but I’ve seen them a few times, and they’re a great light-hearted rock n’ roll show. Brett Michaels & CC DeVille are great entertainers.
Beastie Boys [Stage 2] I’ve never seen them live, but I’d love to. They are incredible at defining what they do, and then doing it.
Velvet Revolver [Stage 1] Their records are over-produced, but they’re a great dirty live rock band. I don’t care if it’s Wieland or whoever the new guy will be.
Prince playing at Coachella 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Prince [Stage 2] Absolute genius. Incredibly insane. I’d love to see this in action. Ever see Purple Rain? If he brought out Morris Day & the Time for a few, it would also be incredible.
Exclusion Principle|45 min.|1|My favorite local band ever? Probably. These dudes gigged with AiXeLsyD all the time, and were awesome. For Oprah money, I want a recording too.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen [Stage 2] If you live in the burgh, are at all of fan of Celtic stuff, and haven’t seen them… please kick your own ass now.
Dethlehem [Stage 1] If any orcs show up to this gig, these guys will have it covered. They also slay eardrums with magical sweeping.
The Unseen [Stage 2] These guys are a great live show. I’m not sure who’s even in the band any more. High energy songs, high energy show.
Omegalord [Stage 1] “Not. Gonna. Die. …With bullets in my gun!” Badass biker metal like Motörhead meets Black Sabbath, cool live show. Oprah money may convince them to reunite.
Nerf Herder [Stage 2] Hilarious songs, great hooks, and goofy premises… I wish this band churned out more albums & toured more.
Tenacious D [Stage 1] These guys are awesome. With Dave Grohl on Drums and or additional guitar it would rock that much harder.
Dr. Dre [Stage 2] Musical genius. Lyrical genius. Production genius. Marketing genius. Hasn’t made kid movies. I’d like to see Ice Cube, Eminem, MC Ren, DJ Yella, & Snoop do some guest spots.
Slash playing a show with Velvet Revolver (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Slash, Miles Kennedy, & the Conspirators [Stage 1] Slash & Miles Kennedy go well together. They ought to keep doing it. Slash digs his touring band. They ought to keep doing it. I need to see this band if/when they come through the ‘Burgh. Slash has a great body of songs to pull from.
Aerosmith [Stage 2] I’ve never seen them, I’d like to before someone dies or they hate each other forever (again). I bet it’s a hell of a show.
Ernie and the Berts [Stage 1] Yup. I was in too many bands, and I self-promote way too much.
Peelander-Z playing at the Asian Heritage celebration in New York at LaGuardia Community College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Peelander-Z [Stage 2] These guys are pretty much inexplicable as a live act. It’s an experience. It’s like you’re on another planet. There’s so much interaction & participation, it’s hardly like watching a band… it’s like being in one.
The Bloodhound Gang [Stage 1] Such a fun live show. It’s like a dirty dirty potty-humor filled circus.
The Sword [Stage 2] These guys are so heavy, they might cause the stage to collapse. These are the coolest riffs you’ll get outside of a Sabbath album.
AFI [Stage 1] So many different sounds, and I like them all. I caught the very end of their set once at a Warped Tour. I’d like to see a full set.
SNUFF: The Drummer is the main vocals. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Snuff [Stage 2] Such a great band. So many albums, so many songs, so many related projects, and I love them all. They need to come to the US so I can see them!
Rancid [Stage 1] So catchy, great live band, and all kinds of fun. Rancid is a great gateway into ska & punk rock.
Danzig [Stage 2] Badassery abounds from the great tiny one. If only Danzig could learn to not take himself so seriously. Great live show though!
Green Day [Stage 1] I’ve never seen them live. I’d love to. I enjoy many of their albums & have for quite some time. They’ve become incredibly successful just doing what they do.
Metallica [Stage 2] METALLICA! Even without Jason Newsted, and even after a few blah albums… I’d like to see them again. They’re still THE metal band.
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Son of Sam would be cool too if Davey Havok were to sing… or a Samhain reunion, or even the Teen Idols or The Donnas. Then there’s, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, The Foo Fighters, Psychostick, Green Jellÿ, The Aquabats, The Phenomenauts, Head Cat, Sixer, Warp 11, The Distillers, Weird Al, Electric Eel Shock, and so many others.. I could easily add another day & lots more locals like The Cheats, Undercover Saints, Scratch ‘n Sniffs, Trash Magnet, Black Casket, maybe even Anti-Flag. Maybe we could reunite the Satanic Bat?
I wonder how much money or money to a charity it would take to get Ozzy Osborne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward all to get on stage together? Think I could get Dave back into Sum 41? Then there’s Duff McKagan’s Loaded or Izzy Stradlin (& maybe even the Ju Ju Hounds). Could I pay enough to bring Bobby Steele and The Undead out of retirement or for Danzig to play with John Christ, Chuck Biscuits, & Eerie Von? Maybe a Pinhead Gunpowder or The Network appearance could happen? I like the weird/quirky stuff.
I’d like to see all the bands in their current incarnations as per the rules. I’ve seen some of them and they’re great live acts… I’d like to see what the others can do live. And, of course, if I had Oprah money, I’d put my bands in there too. Who wouldn’t?
As far as the “hits”, I tried to include rare stuff or stuff that I’d go just nuts without hearing.
So that’s my list. Today. Obviously, I find it hard to narrow down. Now, make your own! You don’t have to get as detailed as me. You can list your favorites in the comments below. You could post it on your own blog or as a Facebook note & keep it going.
Would you come to my show?
I just mentioned this in a blog, and then I found it. I think this was on my MySpace blog, but I can’t find it there. It’s an old rant from 2005 that I emailed to myself for some reason. I don’t know if I ever posted it anywhere? Maybe I did then deleted it? It’s incredibly whiny and laced with profanity. I sound like a little crybaby. That’s what happens when you go on the internet & rant, I guess.
Wrong kind of crybaby...
I felt like posting it since I did reference it. It wasn’t exactly on the same topic, but it is a guy in a band whining about stupid show-related problems. When it all comes down to it, I just have fun jamming. None of this trivial BS outweighs that. I can’t express that enough. I’m glad to have a current band that rocks & is a continuance of such fun.
Maybe I made this private or didn’t post it because I named names. None of the band names or venues exist, or are at all relevant any more, which I guess says a lot. Maximum effort, minimal results.
-✍-
Is that even a word? Well, now it is. Everyone’s always complaining about the Pittsburgh “scene”, and stating what the problems are or what-not… Okay… not everyone… just people involved in it who like to complain I guess. Well, I have another complaint to add to this mysterious master list that bites my ass… and I don’t know how to put a tag on it other than “Unprofessionalism”. Really, before you pick the term apart… I realize that most bands on the local level & most bands that we deal with aren’t doing this “professionally” per se… they’re not making a living at it, they’re doing it more as a hobby or fun activity. Well, good for you… I do it because I love it too. Sometimes, some people (musicians & booking people) make it hard to love.
People, unintentionally or not… can be assholes. Now, I’m a very laid back kinda guy (ask anyone). Although, I guess I get uptight at certain things… like when I can’t get straight answers… and when things that my name (or my bands’ name as an extension of that) are attached to go otherwise than according to plan.
Two ball-breakers hit for this weekend’s double header.
First one, not so big of a deal, but annoying as all hell in my eyes. We’re put on a last minute show. Okay. No biggie. No notice? Someone pulled out? Okay. All I ask is that I get the details, as I guess I’m the self-appointed show-pimper(-nazi). When I mean details… I mean time, cost, address, website and/or phone # of venue, name of venue, name(s) of band(s) playing, and said bands’ website url’s. Not particularly toilsome information to provide, right? Well, apparently this is the most difficult task to ever assign anyone who calls themselves a musician, booking agent, or club owner. No one ever knows the ☠⚡☣☢ing answer to anything. The ‘confirm the date and I’ll get back to you’ shit is stupid… they get back to you the week before hand, and expect you to have a place packed with your fans and friends. People need to know what the hell is going on before they commit to something. People (me) need to know what the hell is going on before the show… a month before… so they can advertise, flyer, talk about it, get the word out.
Why are the other bands important? Well… people are more likely to go out to a show if there’s 3 bands they like vs. just one. Which brings me back to the point where I think I was going before I got to a rant inside of a rant inside of a rant…
The early show at the Spider Lounge… we were given a list of bands that’re playing. I start promoting on last minute notice that there’s a show going on, we’re playing, & this is who else is playing… The Abbitoir Murders see said advertising… and they’re like… “Hey, we’re not on that…” Apparently, one guy is even going to be out of town, so there’s no way they could. Turns out they were asked the vague ‘wanna play a show’ question, never heard anything as far as details, and assumed it went kaput. Now, this is not their fault. It’s the fault of whoever set up the show. Who did set up the show? I dunno. I thought we had set up a central booking guy in order to keep all of the shit in line… so all details & info could go through him and he could ask the right questions… but apparently no one passes show info to him other than me. There was a reason for my madness that apparently no one else sees here. The way I see it though, I’ll play anywhere… so I go along with this, even though I have no idea what the ☠⚡☣☢ is going on. Don’t blame me if we can’t bring any people out because I can’t answer any detailed questions. One thing I hate more than other people being dumb, is looking dumb myself. I get word out on everything I know… then everything changes, and I look like an idiot that doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground.
In with this gripe goes websites… I ask for band or venue urls.., and I’m surprised at how many have none or incredibly out-dated information. It’s 2005. Everyone knows someone with the internet. There are free sites out there, like this one, that can get information about your place up & out. Message me if you want help with this. I’ll do it gladly. That way… when people are like “I don’t know”, we can go to the website to check out times, directions, schedules, lists of bands, etc… but even at that, the shit changes so often because bands are pulling out, or people are saying the so-and-so band is gonna be there when what they meant is that they were thinking about asking that band to maybe play… so what’s the f’n use I guess? Then I get the band’s “too new” to have a website. Well, if you’re too new to have a website, you’re too new to play a show. Get the word out there before you play. Start some hype. Tell people about yourself.
In with all the above is what I call the AMC/Club Angel’s Phenomenon. This includes some strange practices indeed… the AMC part is where you book three bands after telling the club you’ll take care of it… then you get there and 3 more bands have been added to the show, yet it’s set to start at the same time as previously advertised… and somehow, the bands that were added go on 1st, take way too long to set up, play for 45 min., and the bands you’ve booked & your bands get ☠⚡☣☢ed into short sets and playing after PA’s teen-driving curfew time so no one’s left to watch you anyway… not even the fans that were pissed that they came out too see you & had to leave before you went on, or face the possible wrath of a bored state trooper, or irate parent. The Club Angel’s side is where they call you and put you on a show… tell you the names of 2 other bands that’re playing… so you advertise those bands… get there, and find there’s five other bands on the show… none of which are the two you’ve been advertising.
Wow… all of that ranting and confusion from one little show?
The next show… we’ve had planned for how long? I dunno… a long time. Us, Moment of Tragedy, & the Have Nots. This show? Jason booked it so we have all the bands set, all the details set, things were confirmed, flyers were made & put up, and all is good to go. No problem, right?
Well, today… (the day before the show) We’re informed that the Have Nots are no longer a band. Okay. The Have Nots are a great band. They’ve put us on shows before. I love to watch them play. They all seem like nice guys. But, seriously… WHAT THE ☠⚡☣☢? I know, shit happens. You might not get along anymore. You might not have practiced a lot lately. All things that don’t happen overnight… so this falls under “Things that should have been brought to our attention prior to yesterday” (to paraphrase Robbie the wedding singer). And… again… this show has been planned for a while. Is there no such thing as being honor-bound to play, or finding someone to take your place? We still haven’t gotten “official” word. Were they just gonna be a no-show tomorrow had Mike not talked to Ed?
I’ve only ever backed out of a show one time… that’s when Boner & Ben quit AiXeLsyD the morning of a video shoot that we were to have at Angry Johnny’s for “Stand Up” in order to appear on Pittsburgh cable show The Venue. There was a whole lot of chaos going on that day, so it was understandable IMO. Other than that, any time shit arose… we either played w/o a band member, got someone to replace a band member & learn a set within weeks (Thanks Jake, now of the Last Hope, for helping form the Fismits and opening for the Undead when AiXeLsyD couldn’t do it!), and An-Die and I have even played acoustic sets when a drummer bailed. The Rally Ally loved that shit. Even that day we cancelled… I called around like a mother-☠⚡☣☢er trying to get someone out who knew our drum parts… and then, eventually called everyone putting the show together and told them we couldn’t make it. I’d never just bail & not pass the word on.
Is there no code of honor among musicians? No common bond? No feeling of being on the same team or striving for the same goal? Get some convictions, people.
The whole booking thing before… I could get involved in our whole deal with Shadrag’s Entertainment, but I digress… and we’ll save that story for another day.
So… in conclusion (you were following that I was making a point here, right?) maybe all the Pittsburgh scene needs is for all of us to get our shit together. We need to plan, organize, and follow through. It’s not that hard. Well, I know it’s hard for artists of any type to do anything so regimented… but if you stay regimented in this facet, maybe it will push you to be even more free on the artistic side. Who knows? Try it, you might like it. If we all got our facts straight before we answered questions, if we all advertised the same shit for the same day & time, if we all stuck to our commitments, and if we all communicated better… we’d have a hell of a lot more fun in a less stressful environment.
Yinzburgh
Image via Wikipedia
I wanted to love the new Misfits album. Really, I did. I of course, love the original incarnation of the band. I really dug the 90’s Misfits too, even if it was without question an entirely different band with a different sound & different direction. I mean, I like Samhain, Danzig, The Undead, Graves, Gotham Road, and most of the slew of other related bands, so why not the new Misfits?
I think Jerry Only has surrounded himself with people too afraid or too dumb to tell him no or keep him in check. ([cough]John Cafiero?[cough]) Danzig arguably has the same problem. As an artist you need a healthy amount of “I’m going to do something crazy” room in your creative process. Sometimes, that’s the only way to achieve the next level of awesome. It gave us the Danzig album out of Samhain, and it gave us the Shocking Return of the Misfits (a.k.a. The Misfits™ or M95). It gave us my favorite Danzig song, “You and Me (Less Than Zero)”. It also gave us Kryst the Conqueror.
American Psycho and Famous Monsters are solid albums, with a slight metal tinge to the old horror punk vibe and a lot more camp. I was hoping that Devil’s Rain would be somewhat close to that. It’s like the cutting-room floor material for those albums. I would be embarrassed to have my name on this album were I involved in recording or production. The songs don’t flow well.
There is stuff here with some potential, but it lacks a certain tweaking. I have said the same stuff about Michale Graves‘ solo work. I think he’s a great singer & songwriter, he’s just better tempered with a band. With the 90’s Misfits, they all brought songs to the table. Chud, Michale, Jerry, & Doyle all wrote songs or parts. Right now, I feel like it’s the Jerry Only show, with a few scraps for Dez… and a leash for Goat, I mean… Eric “Chupacabra” Arce. (Was Robo just sent a plane ticket home, or what?)
Jerry in a Jerry T-Shirt
Jerry went wrong some time around when he started to wear the T-shirt of himself. Was this before or after the band was falling apart? It’s all such a blur.
I remember talking to him backstage on more than a few occasions. He’s unarguably a great entertainer, an excellent showman, and a very cool guy to stick around to talk to fans, give interviews, and sign anything you’ll put in front of him. (Although, I did one see him refuse to sign a teenage girl’s boob… and it was hilarious – Kudos to him for not being a creeper.) Where it goes from there is open to debate.
That being said, lackluster vocals can kill an album. (See the Gorgeous Frankenstein album, then dig up the demo of the song “Gorgeous Frankenstein”. with Michale Graves on vocals.) The aforementioned poor vocals do a spectacular job killing Devil’s Rain. I can’t put my finger on it. Jerry’s vocals aren’t bad live, but with this recording it’s evident that his range & the vocal power just aren’t where they need to be. Dez would be great on a dirty punk record, but here it sounds like an old guy telling kids to get off his lawn. The vocals have always been strong with the Misfits, be it Glenn or Michale. On Devil’s Rain they fall flat (literally and figuratively).
The guitar tone is “eh”. It lacks the metal punch that Doyle had going after Kryst the Conqueror, and it’s not quite the old dirty punk vibe. I’m not big on the fills and solos. I mean, we all know Franché Coma & Bobby Steele could do that, but they didn’t. It wasn’t the Misfits’ thing with a few notable exceptions. (I still think 12 Hits Form Hell is a damn-near perfect album & the Undead’s version is cool too.)
If the past Misfits stuff is campy, this album is just downright corny lyric-wise. I mean, I like some goofy stuff (like Peelander-Z!), but this is the wrong kind of goofy entirely.
Father almighty turn the darkness to day
Father providing turning desert to grain
God’s son the Pharaoh speaks to Ra calling his name
Oh Ra, devour those who dare open my grave
Place a curse in his hand
Really?
I can listen to “Land of the Dead” which still needs something, but it’s undoubtedly the best of the bunch.
This is just one man’s opinion. I’d be interested in yours.
Misfits | Devil's Rain
So, a while ago… I stated in “print” on Facebook that I’d like to start a band that covered Misfits and Ramones songs… as well as some from the various related bands. If this were something that I actually had the time to do, these are the songs I’d want to play:
Ramones vs. Misfits
I’d obviously like to play guitar, probably like to sing some. Maybe it can be a project that plays once or twice a year around Halloween or something. Maybe it’ll never happen. I’m sure there are some glaring omissions in my list. What songs do you like? What would you add to the list? What would you skip? Would you come see this? Would you want to be in the band?
If you’re crazy, check this out:
If you’re awesome, check this out:
World (and Lunar) Domination 