Misfits
Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA
11.18.15

Storied Jersey ghouls the Misfits came to town on a cold and drizzly Wednesday night, transforming the stage of the SoDo Showbox into a neon crypt, complete with skulls, skulls, and more skulls. This band, or rather the name, has been around since the late Seventies, spawning the horror punk genre that continued to catch fire even decades later. However, insane amounts of lineup changes, most notably the huge void of original front man Glenn Danzig, have turned the Misfits into a faceless zombie, a mournful amalgamation of nostalgia and the painful reality of time. Indeed, a sad Frankenstein of what was once a musical monster, embarking on a worldwide tour that continues to attract the curious. That being said, SoDo was not sold out.

Now fronted by the only original member, bassist Jerry Only, the remaining shell of the Misfits is currently completed with drummer Eric “Chupacabra” Arce and Only’s son, guitarist Jerry Caiafa II. They began a few minutes past 10 with “Static Age,” and essentially barreled through a 29-song set that saw very little chatter and frantic, hurried versions of Misfits classics. The pace was too frenetic to enjoy, or for that matter, to simply decipher what song was being played before it was over. Realizing of course that there are countless Misfits gems to pick from, the challenge is certainly present for the poor bastard who is charged with narrowing down the set list; unfortunately, this show felt like it was perpetually fighting time, in every sense. Thirty and forty-somethings sported their patch-laden black vests, echoing the spikes and devilocks alike which pervade the classic Misfits style. The crowd finally came alive around the tenth song, forming a pit that hesitantly blobbed in and out of consciousness, unsure of the energy, confidence, and overall coolness that the stage was exuding. In reassuring fashion, the huge skull logo adorned the back of the stage, reminding everyone that yes, this was in fact the Misfits.

Misfits Set List:
Static Age
TV Casualty
Some Kinda Hate
Last Caress
Return of the Fly
Hybrid Moments
Teenagers from Mars
Children in Heat
Come Back
Angelfuck
Hollywood Babylon
Attitude
Bullet
Theme for a Jackal
She
Spinal Remains
In the Doorway
Dr. Phibes Rises Again/American Psycho
Scream
Dig up Her Bones
Saturday Night
Helena
Mommy, Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight?
Skulls
Eagles
Astro Zombies
Vampire Girl
Who Killed Marilyn?
Horror Business
We Are 138
Devil’s Rain
Death Comes Ripping
Earth A.D.
Devilock
Wolfs Blood
Descending Angel
Die, Die My Darling
Halloween

Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini