Entertainment value aside, it was the Misfits’ music that separated the band from other hardcore groups of the time, but catapulted the band into legendary status among not only a dedicated cult following, but mainstream music fan. Now that the band is, in essence, long gone, you cannot turn around without seeing a Crimson Ghost or any given media outlet spewing recognition; even VH1 listed the band 91st on a list of the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Bands of All-Time. That might not seem all that great, but when you think about it, for a band from Lodi, New Jersey to beat out Lenny Kravitz, it’s quite an accomplishment. The effect of the Misfits’ music is broad and it can be heard just about everywhere. With that, when faced with the question of who boasts some of the greatest renditions of Misfits’ songs, you need not look further. Again, enjoy the day with a bit of Misfits and hopefully you’ll enjoy this list of the top Misfits covers. Happy Halloween!
AFI’s lead singer Davey Havok has one of the strangest connections to the Misfits of any singer I’ve heard of. Not only did he sing with the band Son of Sam (which was comprised of members of Glenn Danzig’s post-Misfits band Samhain) but he boldly wore a devilock long before it was remotely trendy to do so. Now look where he is, kids, he’s on the MTV. Step 1 - like good music, Step 2 - get rich. It’s as easy as that.
AFI “Halloween”
The band is amazing in concert and is apart of a few mid-era punk bands that have slipped through the genre’s most recent fan base but yet, at times, aren’t credited with the respect they deserve from “real” punk fans. Though I’m sure none would be caught dead wearing one, if any were to have at some point in time brandished a devilock, they’d be number one on this list.
Pennywise “Astro Zombies”
This is where it gets tricky - I used to have a Lemonheads cover of “Skulls” and I thought it was amazing. Hard drive failure typically leads to catastrophe, and in this case, catastrophe means losing my Lemonheads songs. In an attempt to find it again I came across another cover of “Skulls,” this time by unknown musician Frank Feeley. So, if you know who Frank Feeley is, or would like to send the Lemonheads’ track my way, please do so here: chris@culturebully.com
Frank Feeley “Skulls”
Lemonheads “Skulls”
How could you separate a cover, that hundreds have taken a shot at either live on stage or in the studio, from the pack? Well, have the man who wrote the lyrics join in for the song’s finale, of course. That’s what NOFX did, and the poppy stab at “Last Caress” is masterfully concluded by having Danzig moan the song’s final words.
NOFX “Last Caress”
Texas is the reason that the President’s dead, and Sweden is the reason that the Hellacopters’ garage-flavored punk sounds so amazing.
The Hellacopters “Bullet”
There’s a rule somewhere that says that all rock-related lists must include at least one Metallica reference. I’m not making this up, it exists. I’d hate to upset the balance of the universe, so I figured, why not toss a little “Green Hell” your way, right?
Metallica “Green Hell”
But if you have no interest in Halloween or in having fun with music about ghouls and such, and instead have a huge interest in food related songs in the key of the Misfits, taste-test a little Misfats. Full of carbs, but I think you’re worth it.
The Misfats - Official Site
The Misfats - MySpace Site
also: Halloween with the Misfits: Part 1 - The Videos
also: For more Misfits all day long - head over to AOL and Overdose on All-Misfits Radio
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