Misfits

Named after Marilyn Monroe's final film, Misfits formed in New Jersey in 1977 and became part of the early US punk scene that was born out of the legendary CBGB's and Max's Kansas City rock clubs. Painting their faces, spiking their hair forward and dressing like comic book characters from B-movie zombie films, they created a thunderous form of aggressive rock known as horror punk. Led by front-man Glenn Danzig, their albums Walk Among Us (1982) and Earth A.D. (1983) made them cornerstones of the US hardcore movement and heroes to the likes of Metallica, Guns N' Roses and later My Chemical Romance; but the band split in 1983 with Danzig going on to form Samhain. The cult status of Misfits grew as the years passed with their Fiend Skull logo becoming an icon worn by an increasing number of bands and fans, and in 1996 bassist Jerry Only reformed the band without Danzig. Still touring heavily and, kicking up a raucous sound, later records Famous Monsters (1999) and Project 1950 (2003) have included heavy metal, goth and sci-fi influences.