List of Misfits band members

Misfits
The Misfits lineup from 2005 to 2010. Left to right: Jerry Only, Robo, and Dez Cadena.
Background information
Origin	Lodi, New Jersey, United States
Genres	Horror punk, heavy metal
Years active	1977–1983, 1995–present
Members	Glenn Danzig Jerry Only Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein Dave Lombardo
Past members	Diane DiPiazza Jimmy Battle Manny Martínez Franché Coma Mr. Jim Bobby Steele Joey Image Arthur Googy Robo Brian Damage Dr. Chud Michale Graves Marky Ramone Dez Cadena Jerry Caiafa II Eric "Chupacabra" Arce

The lineup of the Misfits, a horror punk band, has fluctuated many times since the band's formation in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, with bassist and current singer Jerry Only being the only consistent member. In total the band has had seventeen official members: two lead singers, five guitarists, two bassists, and nine drummers. The following is a complete chronology of the various members and lineups of the Misfits, from the group's inception until the present.

Current members

Jerry Only

• Bass guitar (1977–1983, 1995–present), lead vocals (2001–present)

Gerald "Jerry" Caiafa joined the Misfits in February 1977, roughly a month after the band's formation, replacing original bassist Diane DiPiazza. He had received a bass guitar as a Christmas gift and practiced with it for two months, and was recommended to singer Glenn Danzig as a replacement for DiPiazza by drummer Manny Martínez. After his surname was misspelled on the band's first single, "Cough/Cool", he insisted that in the future he be credited as "Jerry, only Jerry". "Jerry Only" quickly became his pseudonym, which he would continue to use for the rest of his career. In 1980 he brought his brother Paul into the band under the pseudonym Doyle, replacing then-guitarist Bobby Steele. After the band's breakup in 1983, Only and Doyle performed in the short-lived Kryst the Conqueror. In 1995 they regained the rights to record and perform as the Misfits and launched a new version of the band. This incarnation of the Misfits broke up in 2000, leaving Jerry as the sole remaining member. He took over lead vocals in addition to playing bass and recruited new members to continue the band. He is the only band member to have performed on every Misfits release. He also performs in Osaka Popstar with former Black Flag guitarist Dez Cadena, former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone, and Misfits associate John Cafiero.

Former members

Glenn Danzig

• Lead vocals (1977–1983; September 2016)

Misfits founder Glenn Danzig.

Glenn Danzig, born Glenn Anzalone, was the founder of the Misfits and the band's first lead singer. He formed the band in 1977 and was the only constant member until their breakup in 1983, writing all of their songs and performing on every release during this period. He also formed the band's record label, initially called Blank Records and later changed to Plan 9 Records. Initially he also played the electric piano, though the only release on which he recorded it was the "Cough/Cool" single. With the addition of guitarist Franché Coma Danzig phased out the electric piano and focused on singing. After the Misfits broke up in 1983 he formed Samhain and later Danzig, with whom he found international success, and also released solo albums. He is also credited on all of the compilations of early Misfits material including Legacy of Brutality (1985), Misfits (1986), and Collection II (1995), as well as The Misfits box set (1996). In the late 1980s and early 1990s Danzig was involved in a series of legal disputes with Jerry Only and Doyle over songwriting credits and rights to the Misfits name and imagery. These culminated in an out-of-court settlement in 1995 which allowed Only and Doyle to record and perform as the Misfits, sharing merchandising rights with Danzig, and also dissolved Plan 9 Records. In 2001 Caroline Records attempted to release twelve songs the Misfits had recorded in October 1980 as 12 Hits from Hell, but the album was cancelled at the request of Danzig and Only. Doyle joined Danzig onstage during tours from 2004 to 2006 to play 30-minute sets of classic Misfits songs, the first time the two had performed together in over twenty years. Danzig called it "the closest thing to a Misfits reunion anyone is ever going to see".^[1]In May 2016 it was announced that for the first time in 33 years, Danzig would reunite with Jerry Only and Doyle as The Original Misfits in September 2016 at the Riot Fest.^[2]

Diane DiPiazza

• Bass guitar (1977)

Dianne DiPiazza was the Misfits' first bassist and played with the band during rehearsals in January–February 1977. She was a member of the band for only a month and did not appear on any releases. After her departure she was replaced by Jerry Only. DiPiazza went on to become a type designer and art director.

Jimmy Battle

• Guitar (1977)

Jimmy Battle was the Misfits' first guitarist and played with the band during rehearsals in January–February 1977. He was a member of the band for only a month and did not appear on any releases. After his departure the band continued for several months without a guitarist, using Glenn Danzig's electric piano to fill out the rhythm on their first single "Cough/Cool". They then added new guitarist Franché Coma in August 1977.

Manny Martínez

• Drums (1977)

Manwella "Manny" Martínez was the Misfits' first drummer. He played on their first single "Cough/Cool", but was ejected from the band in December 1977 by Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only, who felt that he was unreliable. He was replaced by Mr. Jim. Martínez was later credited on the compilation album Collection II (1995) and The Misfits box set (1996), both of which included tracks from the "Cough/Cool" single.

Franché Coma

• Guitar (1977–1978)

Frank Licata, who used the pseudonym Franché Coma, was the Misfits' second guitarist. He joined the band in August 1977, filling the position left vacant by Jimmy Battle six months previous. He played on the Static Age album, which was recorded in 1978 but not released in its entirety until 1996. He is also credited on the "Bullet" single and the Beware EP, which used songs from the Static Age sessions. He quit the band while on tour in Canada in October 1978, citing a distaste for touring. Rick Riley filled in to finish the tour, and Bobby Steele later joined as Coma's permanent replacement. Coma went on to play guitar in Active Ingredients and was later credited on the Misfits compilation albums Legacy of Brutality (1985), Misfits (1986), and Collection II (1995), as well as The Misfits box set (1996), all of which included tracks recorded during the Static Age sessions. He made a guest appearance with the Misfits in 2006 at a performance in Englewood, New Jersey, playing guitar on three songs from Static Age. The performance was recorded for a possible future live album or DVD.

Mr. Jim

• Drums (1978)

Jim Catania, nicknamed "Mr. Jim", was the Misfits' second drummer, replacing Manny Martínez in January 1978. He had previously performed in a local band called Whodat and Boojang with Misfits singer Glenn Danzig. He played on the Static Age album, which was recorded in 1978 but not released in its entirety until 1996. He is also credited on the "Bullet" single and the Beware EP, which used songs from the Static Age sessions. He quit the band following a Fall 1978 tour, citing a distaste for the horror style that the band was developing, and went on to play with several other local New Jersey bands. He was later credited on the compilation albums Legacy of Brutality (1985), Misfits (1986), and Collection II (1995), as well as The Misfits box set (1996), all of which included tracks recorded during the Static Age sessions.

Bobby Steele

• Guitar (1978–1980)

Steele performing in 2010.

Bobby Steele became the Misfits' third guitarist in the November 1978, replacing Franché Coma who had quit the band while on tour in October (Rick Riley had filled in to finish the tour). He performed on the "Horror Business" and "Night of the Living Dead" singles (1979) and the Beware EP (1980). In August 1980 he recorded twelve songs with the band for a proposed album. The album was scrapped, but five of the songs were released as the 3 Hits from Hell EP and the "Halloween" single (1981). During the recording sessions Jerry Only began prepping his brother Doyle to replace Steele in the band, and in October 1980 Steele was ejected in favor of Doyle. Steele went on to form The Undead and was later credited on the Misfits compilation albums Legacy of Brutality (1985), Misfits (1986), and Collection II (1995), as well as The Misfits box set (1996), all of which included tracks recorded during his tenure with the band. In 2001 Caroline Records attempted to release the complete October 1980 recordings as 12 Hits from Hell, which would have included Steele's contributions, but the album was cancelled at the request of Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only. In 2007 Steele recorded his own versions of the 12 Hits from Hell songs with The Undead and posted them as streaming audio on the band's website.^[3]

Joey Image

• Drums (1978–1979)

Joey Poole, under the pseudonym Joey Image, was the third drummer to be a member of the Misfits. He joined the band in November 1978, replacing Mr. Jim. He performed on the "Horror Business" and "Night of the Living Dead" singles (1979), but left the band in November 1979 while in the United Kingdom after their tour with The Damned was aborted and was later replaced by Arthur Googy. Image went on to perform in a number of local New Jersey bands, and joined fellow ex-Misfit Bobby Steele's band The Undead from 2000 to 2002. He is also credited on the Misfits compilation albums Legacy of Brutality (1985), Misfits (1986), and Collection II (1995), as well as The Misfits box set (1996), all of which include tracks recorded during his tenure with the band.

After the departure of longtime member, Dr. Chud, Joey Image was recruited to fill in as the Misfits' drummer for two dates in October 2000.

Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein

• Guitar (1980–1983, 1995–2001, September 2016)

Doyle onstage.

Paul "Doyle" Caiafa, the younger brother of Jerry Only, became the Misfits' fourth guitarist in October 1980. He had been taught guitar by Only and Glenn Danzig and groomed by Only to join the band, recording overdubs and extra guitar tracks on top of Bobby Steele's tracks during an August 1980 session that was intended to comprise an album. The album was scrapped, but five of the songs were released as the 3 Hits from Hell EP and the "Halloween" single (1981) including Doyle's contributions. He replaced Steele in October 1980, making his debut with the band at their annual Halloween performance at Irving Plaza in New York City. He performed on the albums Walk Among Us (1982), Evilive (1982/1987), and Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (1983) before the band's breakup in October 1983. He subsequently played with Only in Kryst the Conqueror and is also credited on all of the compilations of early Misfits material including Legacy of Brutality (1985), Misfits (1986), and Collection II (1995), and The Misfits box set (1996). In the late 1980s and early 1990s he and Only were involved in a series of legal disputes with Danzig over songwriting credits and rights to the Misfits name and imagery. These culminated in an out-of-court settlement in 1995 which allowed Only and Doyle to record and perform as the Misfits. They re-formed the band with a new lineup, with Doyle expanding his stage name to "Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein", and released American Psycho (1997), Evillive II (1998), and Famous Monsters (1999). Doyle is also credited on 16 of the 17 tracks comprising Cuts from the Crypt (2001). He left the Misfits after the band dissolved in October 2000 and was replaced by Dez Cadena. In 2001 Caroline Records attempted to release the October 1980 sessions as 12 Hits from Hell, which would have included Doyle's guitar tracks, but the album was cancelled at the request of Danzig and Only. Doyle joined Danzig onstage during tours from 2004 to 2006 to play 30-minute sets of classic Misfits songs, the first time the two had performed together in over twenty years. Doyle launched a new band, Gorgeous Frankenstein, in 2005 and toured with Danzig. Doyle along with Danzig and Only will reunite for the first time in 33 years as the Original Misfits in September 2016.

Arthur Googy

• Drums (1980–1982)

Joseph McGuckin joined the Misfits in April 1980 under the pseudonym Arthur Googy, taking the position left vacant when Joey Image left the band in November 1979. He was the fourth drummer to be a member of the band, and recorded twelve tracks with them in August 1980 that were intended for an album. The album was scrapped, but five of the songs were released as the 3 Hits from Hell EP and the "Halloween" single (1981). He performed on Walk Among Us (1982), the band's first full-length album to be released, and also on Evilive which was released as an EP in 1982 and as an album in 1987. Googy was kicked out of the band following an argument with Glenn Danzig while on tour in the Summer of 1982 and was replaced by Robo. Googy was later credited on the Misfits compilation albums Legacy of Brutality (1985), Misfits (1986), and Collection II (1995), as well as The Misfits box set (1996), all of which included tracks recorded during his tenure with the band. In 2001 Caroline Records attempted to release the complete October 1980 recordings as 12 Hits from Hell, which would have included his contributions, but the album was cancelled at the request of Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only.

Jerry Caiafa II

• guitar, backing vocals (2014–2016)

Eric "Chupacabra" Arce

• Drums (2010–2016)

Eric "Chupacabra" Arce of Murphy's Law filled in on drums with the Misfits in late 2000, following the departure of Dr. Chud. He continued to play with the band, along with several other fill-in drummers, until Robo and Marky Ramone took over for the "M25" 25th anniversary tour in April 2001. When Robo was dismissed from the Misfits in 2010, Arce replaced him in the lineup.^[4] He performed on the band's 2011 album The Devil's Rain.^[4]

Robo

• Drums (1982–1983, 2005–2010)

Robo performing with the Misfits in July 2001.

Roberto "Robo" Valverde is the only musician, other than brothers Jerry Only and Doyle, to have been a member of the Misfits twice, as both their fifth and ninth drummer. He had previously been a member of Black Flag, and was recommended to the Misfits by Black Flag singer Henry Rollins as a replacement for Arthur Googy, who had been ejected from the band. He joined the Misfits in July 1982 and performed on Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (1983) and the "Die, Die My Darling" single (1984). He left the band after a series of arguments with Glenn Danzig and was replaced by Brian Damage. He rejoined the band in 2001 to fill in for Marky Ramone during some dates of the "M25" tour, and is credited on the live cover of "Rise Above" on Cuts from the Crypt. He replaced Ramone as a permanent member in 2005 and performed on the "Land of the Dead" single in 2009. In 2010 he was dismissed from the Misfits due to ongoing problems with his Colombian passport, which inhibited the band's ability to tour consistently.^[4]

Brian Damage

• Drums (1983)

Brian Keats, aka Brian Damage, was the sixth drummer for the Misfits, though he performed only a portion of one show and is not credited on any of the band's releases. Having previously performed with Genocide and Verbal Abuse, Damage was selected by Glenn Danzig to replace Robo in the Fall of 1983. On October 29 he debuted with the band at Greystone Hall in Detroit during their annual Halloween performance. However, he became drunk before the show and could not play properly. After several songs he was escorted offstage by Doyle, and Todd Swalla of the Necros filled in for the remainder of the performance. Upon returning to New Jersey the Misfits broke up. Damage stayed in New York City, later moving to Los Angeles, and has performed with many other acts over the years.

Dr. Chud

• Drums (1995–2000)

Dr. Chud (real name David Calabrese) was the seventh Misfits drummer. He joined when Jerry Only and Doyle re-formed the band in 1995, having previously performed with them in Kryst the Conqueror. He performed on the band's 1990s albums, American Psycho (1997), Evillive II (1998), and Famous Monsters (1999), as well as the accompanying singles and 16 of the 17 tracks that later comprised Cuts from the Crypt (2001). He quit the band during a performance at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida on October 25, 2000 along with singer Michale Graves. The two went on to form Graves, and Chud later formed Dr. Chud's X-Ward. He was replaced in the Misfits by Marky Ramone.

Michale Graves

• Lead vocals (1995–2000)

Michael Emanuel was the Misfits' second lead singer, joining when Jerry Only and Doyle re-formed the band in 1995. He was not familiar with the Misfits' music before auditioning, and listened to the Misfits compilation album in order to learn the lyrics. He was accepted into the band and given the pseudonym Michale Graves. He performed on the band's 1990s albums, American Psycho (1997), Evillive II (1998), and Famous Monsters (1999), as well as the accompanying singles and 16 of the 17 tracks that later comprised Cuts from the Crypt (2001). He quit the band during a performance at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida on January 25, 2000 along with drummer Dr. Chud. The two went on to form Graves, and Michale later embarked on a solo career. Instead of replacing him with a new singer, Jerry Only took over vocal duties in addition to playing bass guitar.

Marky Ramone

• Drums (2001–2005)

Marky Ramone (born Marc Bell), formerly of the Ramones, was the eighth Misfits drummer. He joined in 2001 after the departure of Dr. Chud for the "M25" tour and had two recording credits with the band: the single "Day the Earth Caught Fire" (2002) and the album Project 1950 (2003). He left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Robo, but continues to perform with Misfits members Jerry Only and Dez Cadena, as well as Misfits associate John Cafiero, in Osaka Popstar.

Dez Cadena

Dez Cadena.

• Guitar (2001–2015)

Cadena joined the Misfits in 2001 after the departure of Doyle, having previously performed in Black Flag, Redd Kross, the DC3, and other bands. He is the fifth Misfits guitarist and performed on the "M25" tour celebrating the band's 25th anniversary. He has been credited on four Misfits releases, the first being a live cover of the Black Flag song "Rise Above", recorded during the M25 tour and released on the compilation album Cuts from the Crypt (2002). He also performed on the "Day the Earth Caught Fire" single (2003), the Project 1950 album (2003), and the "Land of the Dead" single (2009). He also performs in Osaka Popstar with Misfits bassist and singer Jerry Only, former Misfits drummer Marky Ramone, and Misfits associate John Cafiero. Cadena left the band in 2015.

Temporary/fill-in members

Rick Riley

• Guitar (October 1978 North American tour)

When Franché Coma quit the Misfits in October 1978 while on tour in Canada, guitarist Rick Riley filled in to finish the tour. Bobby Steele then joined as the Misfits' new permanent guitarist in November.

Todd Swalla

• Drums (June 25, 1982 & October 29, 1983)

On October 29, 1983, the Misfits played their annual Halloween performance at Greystone Hall in Detroit with the Necros. Danzig had selected Brian Damage, formerly of Genocide and Verbal Abuse, as the band's new drummer. However, Damage became drunk before the show and could not play properly. After several songs Doyle escorted him off the stage and Todd Swalla of the Necros filled in for the remainder of the performance. The Misfits disbanded following this performance.

Myke Hideous

• Vocals (May–July 1998: South American and European tours)

In 1998 singer Michale Graves took a hiatus from the Misfits, and Myke Hideous of Empire Hideous filled in as singer during tours of South America and Europe. Graves then returned to the band.^[5]

Zoli Teglas

• Vocals (October–November 2000: some North American tour dates)

Zoli Teglas of Ignite filled in on vocals for the Misfits during a number of North American tour dates after Michale Graves left the band.^[5] He was also scheduled to tour with the band in South America and Japan,^[5] but by then Jerry Only had assumed the role of singer in addition to playing bass guitar.

Ken "Renfield" Schalk

Drums (October–November 2000)

Ken "Renfield" Schalk of Candiria was another fill-in drummer who played with the Misfits on several Fall 2000 North American tour dates after Dr. Chud left the band.^[5]

Marc Rizzo

• Guitar (March 2015)

Marc Rizzo of Soulfly filled in while Dez Cadena was ill in 2015, playing guitar alongside Jerry Caiafa II at the Dutch Comic Con on March 28 in in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Afterwards, the band was reduced back down to a three-piece with Caiafa as the sole guitarist.

Timeline

References