The Misfits made a tour stop in Detroit this past Saturday to play Harpos in support of their new album "The Devil's Rain". I was lucky enough to witness and document the show.
I last saw The Misfits live back in 1996. At the time the band had recruited Michale Graves to take on vocal duties since Glen Danzig passed on the reunion. Graves was out of the band come 2000 and original member Jerry Only took over lead vocal duties in addition to playing bass guitar in the band. Several lineup changes later the current lineup includes Only, Dez Cadena (Black Flag) on guitar/backing vocals and Eric "Chupacabra" Arce (Murphys Law) on drums.
I noticed instantly upon arrival that Harpos had many youths in the building. It seems the Misfits fan base keeps getting younger which makes me hopeful. Glad to see that the iconic Misfits skull logo that's branded across the young hot topic wearing scene is not just for show and that many of them actually do go out to seek the band behind the image. Jerry hasn't changed much over the years and Dez Cadena looked pretty damn spooky with his face paint on. The set was filled with classics such as "Skulls", "Halloween", "Die, Die My Darling". And by the sound of the new songs like "The Devil's Rain" and "Vivid Red" Jerry is surely not letting The Misfits legacy get watered down. Horror rock lives on.
Jerry Only is a very fan friendly man. He hung out after the show to hang with "fiends" and stayed till everyone got what they needed out of him, whether it be an autograph, a picture, or just a simple hug.
Visit The Misfits online.
Primary support for the night was JuiceheaD from Chicago. JuiceheaD are label mates to The Misfits on their Misfits Records imprint. They offer a old school power punk feel in the vain of Rancid.
Visit JuiceheaD online.
