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Front/back of the Initium LP.
After almost 7 years fronting and writing songs for The Misfits Glenn was starting over with Samhain; they had already begun some recording and from January to May 1984 would complete their first album, Initium (August 1984).
Lyle Preslar (guitar) seen in this blurry screen capture from video of Samhain's first show.
Samhain had already gone through some transitions in their line up; from early ideas Glenn had for a "super group" (during the last year of The Misfits) to Lyle Preslar (Minor Threat) lasting 3 months. By June 1984 Glenn and Eerie Von (Rosemary's Babies) had been in the band since its inception (August 1983) while Steve "Zing" Grecco (Mourning Noise) had begun in January 1984 and Pete "Damien" Marshall (Mourning Noise) came on board in June 1984.
They hit the road in September and November 1984 (Season Of The Dead Tour(s); In between that in October they went into the studio to begin recording a new EP which continued through that December 1984. In February 1985 immediately following the release of Unholy Passion EP (January 1985) Samhain hit the road again (Unholy Passion Tour). There was some request among the Samhain crowd for Misfits tunes but Glenn would never honor them save for a few Misfits “covers” that Samhain regularly performed; Horror Business, All Hell Breaks Loose, Die, Die My Darling, Halloween II, Who Killed Marilyn?, Death Comes Ripping, Bloodfeast and London Dungeon.
Clockwise from top left; front, insert and back of Unholy Passion EP.
In the summer of 1985 Glenn signed a deal with Caroline Records to begin distributing Misfits (and Samhain) albums; in preparation for that Glenn went to Reel Platinum and overdubbed bass and guitar over 8 of the unreleased tracks from the Static Age sessions (January-February 1978), he also nabbed 3 other unreleased tracks and compiled these for a Misfits rarity album. Samhain as well entered Reel Platinum in the summer of 1985 to begin work on their follow up LP; the band also lost drummer Steve Zing and picked up London May (Reptile House).
Samhain June 1984-June 1985; Steve Zing, Damien, Eerie Von, Glenn Danzig
Samhain June 1985-July 1986; Damien, Eerie Von, Glenn Danzig, London May
photo from the collection of Maurice Nunez
The Misfits Legacy of Brutality was released in September 1985; Glenn had actually been using the artwork found on the front and back of the album on t-shirts since 1983, that October Samhain had a smattering of dates that went through March 1986 (November-Coming-Fire Mini-Tour). By that time rumor began to circulate that Jerry Only had actually died but Hasbro new better as the one time Misfits bassist talked with them about the use of the band name "Misfits" in their cartoon, Jem and the Holograms; though Hasbro continued to use the name. Of course there were others that knew Jerry was alive and well, among them would be his coworkers at Congruent Machine/ProEdge, where he and Doyle continued to work.
Front/back of Legacy of Brutality LP.
Initium's follow up, November-Coming-Fire was released in February 1986 but that Spring would actually belong to The Misfits. Caroline Records released no less than 5 Misfits releases; most of which were reissues and Glenn reissued the 3 Hits From Hell 7" on both black and white vinyl. Glenn also compiled a track listing for another Misfits collection, this time it was more of a "greatest hits" album but did include several unreleased recordings; and this time there would also be no overdubs.
Front/back, photo collage side and lyric side sleeve of November-Coming-Fire.
In March 1986 Samhain would unknowingly begin their last tour, during the last show of the November-Coming-Fire Tour on July 14th, 1986 at The Ritz in New York record producer Rick Rubin spoke with the band about signing to his label, Def American. Earlier that same month Caroline released Misfits/Collection I (July 1, 1986).
Samhain performing at The Ritz in New York on July 14th, 1986.
At some point in 1986 Jerry had a mutual friend contact Glenn about getting some Misfits records, posters and shirts for some fans they (Jerry and Doyle) had recently talked to; Glenn denied the request reportedly telling the mutual friend that Jerry could go buy the stuff if he wanted it. This rebuff from Glenn along with the recent Caroline compilations and reissues led Jerry and Doyle into getting a lawyer to contact Glenn over royalties.
Glenn started working on yet another Misfits compilation for Caroline on August 8th, 1986. This time he brought along Samhain bassist Eerie Von, they recorded 4 songs; Mephisto Waltz, Hate Breeders, Braineaters and Nike A Go Go. Glenn performed guitar and of course vocals on these tracks and Eerie played bass, drums and sang background vocals. They also overdubbed 2 songs The Misfits had previously recorded; Cough/Cool (from June 1977) and Devils Whorehouse (from August 1981); with Eerie on bass and Glenn on guitar, keyboard and a drum machine. The very next month Samhain began recording songs for Samhain Grim, Glenn performed guitar during these sessions; early versions of future Danzig songs Twist of Cain and Possession were both recorded at this time.Originally Rick Rubin had agreed to sign the entire band but a dramatic shift in the musical aesthetic of the band would result in both Damien and London May exiting. With two new members, guitarist John Christ (joined Samhain in February 1987) and drummer Chuck Biscuits (joined in March 1987), as well as a change in sound it made sense to Glenn to call the band by a different name.
Glenn Danzig self-portrait; from the collection of Maurice Nunez.
Samhain performed around 60 shows, released two albums and an EP; they went through two guitarist and two drummers in 3 years and 6 months time.
THE LOWDOWN: Metallica's US "Master of Puppets" headlining tour took place a little over two months after bassist Cliff Burton had been killed in a tragic tour bus accident in Sweden. Samhain frontman Glenn Danzig (ex Misfits) and bassist Eerie Von joined Metallica guitar duo James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet in their dressing room for some pre-show drinks at that tour's New York date.
GENE AMBO [photographer]: This shot was taken backstage in Poughkeepsie, New York. As part of their "hazing" which was part of his introduction to Metallica, the band had put Jason Newstead's [bassist] dressing room on the other side of the building...(can't make out this section)...On their side close to the stage was...(can't make out this section)...dressing room with friends and all the fun. Kirk was...(can't make out this section)...talking to Glenn and Eerie about comics, Misfits and horror films when James burst into the room, jumped on the drum kit and started to sing Misfits song. Everyone joined in and they ended up jamming for about half an hour before they actually went onstage
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT: Perhaps inspired by their impromptu jam session with Glenn Danzig and co. Metallica covered Misfits' classic "Last Caress" on their $5.98 EP Garage Days Re-Revisited the following year. When Samhain imploded Danzig formed his eponymous solo band who went on as the main support on Metallica's "And Justice For All" UK tour a few years later.
Up next...Kryst vs. Danzig
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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