History VI | The Fiend Crypt

The band had booked an October 29th show at Graystone Hall in Detroit, MI but as yet had not replaced Robo; Jerry reached out to Arthur Googy, who refused to perform with them unless he was paid up front. A request that fell on deaf ears with Glenn. Instead Glenn chose Brian "Damage" Keates, an experienced drummer that had been in Genocide (from 1979-1983) and Verbal Abuse (1983). Having chosen a new drummer The Misfits were also planning several shows in Germany to promote a 12" EP version of Evilive and Earth A.D.'s (aka, Wolfs Blood/Earth A.D. LP) release through Aggressive Rock Produktionen; as was standard for The Misfits both Jerry and Doyle began working extra hours at their father's machine shop in order to fund the upcoming tour. This of course left little time for them to rehearse with Brian which resulted in a grand total of one rehearsal before their performance at Graystone Hall.

Front/back of Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (Plan 9)

Front/back of Wolfs Blood/Earth A.D. (Aggressive Rock Produktionen); the art was colored by someone that worked for the label.

Front/back of Evilive 12" (Aggressive Rock Produktionen)

Prior to the show Brian began drinking with The Necros which hindered his upcoming performance; that coupled with only one practice and the overall roar of the band resulted in him being ejected from the drums by Doyle after only playing two songs. Todd Swalla took over on drums and according to his recollection there was already heavy tension between band members before the show but no one knew what was about to happen; Around 10 minutes into their set Glenn surprised everyone by announcing, "This is our last show...ever.".

Screen captures from a video of The Misfits "last show ever".

They finished their 60 minute set, packed up and spent the night at punk promoter Russ Gibb's house; eventually driving back to New Jersey the next day without speaking to one another, save for Brian who continued to express his regret for any part he played in the previous nights decision.

Glenn would immediately turn his musical efforts to Samhain, setting up a recording session in November while Jerry and Doyle left the punk/music scene to work fulltime at their father's machine shop, Congruent Metals/ProEdge.

Glenn Danzig during the "last show ever"- clockwise from top left; screen cap from video; photo by unknown photographer; photo by unknown photographer, scan shared by https://www.instagram.com/wearethefiendclub138/

6 years, 10 months; 110+ shows; over 50 songs; 2 LP's, 6 EP's, 2 singles, 10 fulltime members; 1 singer/songwriter, 1 bassist, 3 guitarists, 5 drummers and The Misfits were no longer an active band.

The Misfits third single, Die, Die My Darling 12" was released in (May) 1984 as well as a cassette version of Earth A.D.; the cassette featured the German releases tracklisting with the addition of Mommy, Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight? on side 1.

Front/back of the Die, Die My Darling 12".

Black Market #2, June 1985

BM: When did the Misfits end and Samhain begin, cause a lot of bands willchange members but keep the same name, why didn't you?

Glenn: Because I wanted it to be its own thing. We could've called this the Misfits. I wrote all the songs, I did all the bullshit for the band. I could've called this the Misfits. Do you know what I'm saying? It's not like with Black Flag and even the Circle Jerks. I mean a lot of people think they are, but they're not. The new Black Flag especially, that's not Black Flag, you know Chuck's not in the band.

Eerie: Chuck was a big deal.

Glenn: And I think Jerry was kinda important in the Misfits, whether he wrote songs or not. Doyle and Robo were interchangeable, but as long as it was me and Jerry it was kinda the Misfits.

Up next...Legacy of Brutality

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.