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Glenn and Jerry didn't waste any time and immediately sought to fill the vacated drummer and guitarist slots after losing both Mr. Jim and Franché in October 1978. During their November search they came across Joey "Image" Poole during a visit to Libra Studios in Manhattan and invited him to audition for the band. Having auditioned and been excepted into the band that left only the guitar slot empty but that was quickly filled after Glenn noticed an ad in The Aquarian placed by guitarist Robert "Bobby Steele" Kaufhold who was seeking an "established act, with management and a record deal".
The Misfits performing at Max's Kansas City 1978.
The new line up began rehearsing old material and working on the new stuff Glenn had written, by December The Misfits were back out playing shows and by January 1979 they were back in the studio and the Bullet 7" was reissued, this time on red vinyl. These sessions (at C.I. Recording, Inc.) resulted in yet another unreleased record. This time there was only one acetate copy made of the proposed 12" EP release of Who Killed Marilyn? which was deemed to expensive for the bands budget; A side: Who Killed Marilyn?, Where Eagles Dare, B side: Horror Business, Teenagers From Mars, Children In Heat. This lack in funds would instead yield the Horror Business 7" (June 26th, 1979); A side: Horror Business, B side: Teenagers From Mars, Children In Heat.
back of Bullet 7", "Better Dead on Red", and A/B sides of red vinyl
The Misfits first use of The Crimson Ghost
Although Glenn's lyrics had always had a darker side this release would set about a wave of change in the fledgling outfit from standard punk fair to the creation of horror punk. Another significant event that came about in early 1979 was Glenn and Jerry's discovery of The Crimson Ghost. The duo would often get together and search through old monster mags for images to use on flyers, stickers, buttons, shirts and album covers. Glenn used the grinning skull for the first time on a flyer for The Misfits Max's Kansas City show on March 28th, 1979. This very same image would be featured on the cover of the Horror Business 7" as well as a creepy drawing of the Phantom of the Opera on the back cover which was actually an image of a "Monstertoon" iron-on from the late 60's. To cap this ghoulish new release off there was also an insert (written by Dave Street) detailing the spooky location of the albums recording and the "strange voices and noises" found on the release.
clockwise from top left; front, back and
insert of the Horror Business 7"
The Misfits performing at Max's Kansas City on February 27th, 1979; photos by Eileen Polk
The Misfits played Hurrah opening for The Damned on the night of the Horror Business 7" release, during the course of the evening Jerry had a discussion with Dave Vanian and The Damned's manager about The Misfits opening for The Damned in the U.K. that fall. Although 1978 proved fairly successful show wise, with The Misfits playing around 20 U.S. shows, 1979 wouldn't be as fruitful with about 13 U.S. shows by October 31st, 1979. Though they kept busy with two separate recording sessions; Horror Business was reissued on yellow vinyl in August as well. The first recording session was at The Song Shop in June 1979 and then again at C.I. Recording, Inc. in September 1979; although the results would yield only one 7". Released on October 31st, 1979 the Night of the Living Dead 7" featured yet again another ghastly album cover, this time a still from the 1968 film of the same name. Fans could also find a flyer for The Misfits fan club, The Fiend Club, for the first time inserted into the newest EP. "Fiends" could now write the band and get stickers and buttons mailed back to them, some would even receive notes from Glenn.
A/B sides of The Misfits second colored vinyl release; Horror Business 7" (August 1979).
Clockwise from top left; Front, back and Fiend Club insert of the Night of the Living Dead 7".
In November Jerry went to the U.K. to make the necessary arrangements for The Misfits to open on The Damned's fall tour, shortly thereafter Jerry gave Glenn word that it was all set up; so Glenn, Joey and Bobby made the trek across the Atlantic. The band hooked up with Jerry on November 21st and on the morning of the 22nd Jerry went to Dave Vanian's house to discuss the tour, this was a complete surprise to Dave as The Damned had not taken the earlier discussion seriously and had no idea that The Misfits would actually come over for the tour. They were given a second slot after Victim, a North Ireland band that was already part of The Damned's Tour. The Misfits would only perform one show on November 23rd at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, England; it seems the agreed upon fee of $100 per show went to nothing per show. The band did show up for (and perform) soundcheck on the 24th but that was the end of the U.K. tour for them after another argument with The Damned's manager they walked off the tour. Instead of performing in front of U.K. punks they ended up bumming around England for several weeks. This downtime was all Joey Image could stand and after repeatedly telling the band that he was going to leave if they didn't get something going, he made good on the threat and headed back to the states...and just like that was out of the band.
Glenn had brought along some Misfits 45's and bided his time by selling them when he could. He and Bobby also attended a Jam concert (at The Rainbow on December 2nd) which ended in an altercation between them and some skinheads; and Glenn and Bobby being taken to jail. It was during their two day stay in jail that the song London Dungeon was born. Jerry in the meantime hung out with Sid Vicious' mom, Beverley, whom he was already friends with.
Copy of Bobby Steele's citation, "using threatening behaviour/breach of the peace";
Originally Glenn had planned to have a new 12" EP to sell during the band's time in the U.K. but due to printing issues the release wasn't ready until the band had already returned back home. Beware (January 1980) collected the previous 7" EP's Bullet and Horror Business (minus Children In Heat) as well as releasing the song Last Caress which was recorded during the Static Age sessions (January-February 1978).
Front/back of the Beware 12".
An early (left) group shot of the "Horror Business" line-up juxtaposed with a latter (right) group shot of the "Horror Business" line-up.
This period began the longest period of inactivity for the band (over 6 months), they eventually picked up new drummer Joseph McGuckin (a.k.a., Arthur Googy) in April 1980 and performed one show on July 10th, 1980 at Exile in Long Island. By August 1980 they seemed to be changing their luck as they headed into the studio to begin recording their second attempt at a full album.
The Misfits with new drummer Arthur "Googy"; shared by; https://www.instagram.com/wearethefiendclub138/.
The Misfits performing at Exile, photos by John Rynski;
from the collection of Maurice Nunez.
The Misfits had been around for 3 years now, had released 4 EP's and one single, had performed around 42 shows, they had gone through three drummers, one guitarist and were about to be done with another one.
Up next...WALK AMONG US
This note was made possible by Misfits Central, James Greene Jr.'s book This Music Leaves Stains as well as various Misfits interviews. As always thanks to all the fiends (and photographers) that have provided all the photographic history.
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