The Misfits
Originated in Lodi, NJ
The Misfits are a band that originated in Lodi, New Jersey. Some might not know exactly where Lodi is located, but when looking on a map, it’s a stone’s throw away from the New Jersey Devils’ former home in East Rutherford, NJ. The band started with many iterations, bringing a completely different sound to this style of music. The Misfits are considered the pioneers of the horror-rock subgenre, and they started this in garages and studios in New Jersey in the late-70s.
Glenn Danzig started this journey in 1977. His mother worked in a record store growing up, which likely has to do with his unique sounds. Learning about all different types of music allow him to create a new type of sound.
He created the Misfits and was denied a record deal for years, so he began to release his music under his own label. The Misfits only lasted until 1983, but their impact on music lasted for decades. Their symbol was used in both the punk and goth scenes of the 1990s. Their music inspired bands like Guns & Roses, Green Day, Metallica, and My Chemical Romance.
The Misfits would create multiple iterations of their band, including New Jersey natives Dr. Chud, Jerry Only, Dez Cadena, and Michale Graves. The original Misfits finally got back together in 2016, more than 30 years after originally breaking up, and they’ve been touring ever since.