Chad Cherry explores the Devil Inside The Misfits

The Devil Inside: The Misfits

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 by Chad Cherry

-WALK AMONG US-

There’s only a handful of musical acts we can say, “Oh, that band? One of my faves.” You can listen to their tunes for years on end and not get sick of ‘em. You still love everything about the songs, the imagery, and the attitude. The feelings and memories take you to a place you love and will probably be there for ya when you create new wonders as well. No matter how much you change and grow in life, this music has remained with you, un-calloused.

Quick story……

- Discovery for a young Chad Cherry in the record store…
(Dream like flash back waves and sound fx placed here…)

“What’s this creepy lookin’ shit near the MC-5 records? Whatever it is it probably sucks … Hey, wait just a minute here … It looks like some kinda … Some kinda horror movies in the form of 7′ vinyl records!!! Hold on… Is this for real?!?!

And without question I knew I needed them.

“I’m stealing these fuckers.” (My credit was good.)

- A young Chad Cherry back at his room playing his new find on the turn table … (The record player wasn’t stolen.. Don’t judge me.)

“B-horror and sci-fi inspired songs! Painted skeletal patterns on performance clothing! Devilocks!!! Holy shit! I’m home! They’re singing about Jackie O doin’ what?!?! This is like ‘Night of the Living Dead’ meets ‘The Ramones’ in a dirty basement filled with hooks … but not stabbing hooks … melody hooks!!! Hairs at end! THE MISFITS!”

“Favs”

‘The Misfits’ it was … and ‘The Misfits’ it is …

A name taken from Marilyn Monroe’s last film, The Misfits in each incarnation have made use of horror and science fiction inspired themes and imagery with make-up, clothing, artwork, and lyrics that came from B-movie and t.v. serials. They are recognized as the progenitors of the horror-punk sub-genre and have drawn from punk-rock, heavy metal, and 50′s era r-n-r, rockabilly (the song ‘Angel Fuck’… Soooo greaser tough.) to inform their killer style. “The archetypal horror-punk band of the late 70′s early 80′s.” They are considered icons in punk rock and culture.

I always thought of them as a “punk-rock” band but there was something different about ‘em. They were not your average by any means. Associated with the hardcore punk movement of the early 80′s for sure, but check it. Steve Blush, author of American Hardcore, notes “Though crucial to the rise of H.C., they were in fact in a league of their own … The Misfits delivered a hyper-yet melodic assault based in 50′s/60′s style of rock, taking the Buddy Holly/Gene Vincent foundation and making it nuclear.” Indeed.

I think, for many generations to come, I’ll still see that skeletal figure mascot inspired by the 1946 film serial “The Crimson Ghost” on t-shirts. (Even if the kids don’t listen to the music. Or we all die from this “Zombie Apocalypse” I’ve been hearing about on all the news channels.) I think I’m cool with this. And I’m sure Glenn is too.

My favorite quote while inspecting old Misfit’s videos on youtube. Coming from one day ago. “I miss the old punk-rock. And I’m 13.”

The Danzig era (or the incarnation now) of The Misfits will be timeless music/horror/sci-fi entertainment. This band has been an obvious influence on me and a fuck-load of other rock heads (including Metallica and G-n-R) who still look up to Alice Cooper as … well, Alice Cooper. No matter how much music changes and how many fads come and go, I think the Misfits will never not be cool.

You should already know this fashion fiends. But I wrote about it just in case you didn’t. “Lets go where eagles dare.”

Now take off my Lip Service clothes and give me a bath … Not you … Your girlfriend.

-Chad Cherry at his ‘Fortress of Blood’:

I’ve been listening to a few final mixes on several new tunes from The Last Vegas at casa de Cherry and I’m very happy with what I’ve been diggin’. (I will refuse to rush anything on these babies.) Johnny K, our producer, is just as nuts as we are … this is good. I will listen to the new songs and then want to listen to them over again. This is also good. I’m enjoying rockin’ ‘em out at my place instead of the studio which, to me, is another good sign. My black cat, Knuckles, goes bananas crazy wild when I play some of these mixes (he’s a v.i.p., gets all the new TLV goods first.). I’m not sure what this means but it’s funny as hell and I like watching him get rowdy to the shit. Animal rock. (The only other time cat acts up like this is when I play ‘Mississippi Queen’ by ‘Mountain’…?)