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Although the band has seen several lineup changes throughout the years, the common thread that has kept the Misfits thriving is founding member Jerry Only. In addition to a huge catalog of music over the past 25 years, Only and the Misfits have toured relentlessly across the globe and celebrated Halloween 1999 with two Sold Out shows at Madison Square Garden in NYC. In addition to their countless TV appearances worldwide, the band appeared in four feature films, as well as a stint in professional wrestling with Ted Turner's WCW. The band's now classic "fiend skull" logo can be found on a plethora of top selling merchandise throughout the world and the collectibility of anything Misfits continues to grow on a daily basis. Even the toy industry took notice bestowing the honor of "Action Figure of the Year" to the 12" G.I. Joe-styled Jerry Only action figure released in 1999. In the year 2000, the Misfits were named #91 in VH-1's "100 Greatest Hard Rock Bands of all Time". The segment included interviews with Alice Cooper, Rob Halford (Judas Priest), James Hetfield, Jason Newsted & Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Kid Rock commenting on the fiendishly legendary band. The impact of the Misfits on pop culture has become a phenomenon in itself. The power of the horror-punk icons transcends into the most unlikely of places. Most notably, teen-idol superstars N'Sync were photographed, prominently sporting Misfits logos on their attire. The photos ran in an issue of "TV Guide" (2000) and the year end issue of "Entertainment Weekly" (2001). Now that is truly scary!
"We've survived 25 years now," Jerry reflects. "Maybe the times have caught up with us. And 40 years from now, people will still be playing our albums because we won't water down what we do. Our goal is to keep perspective on who we are and where we're going. When we started playing out again, we were surprised to see how many fans both young and old, still go nuts for the Misfits. It shows that we have a very strong following and we can still stay true to ourselves and grow as a band."2001 brought the launch of the Misfits 25th Anniversary. In celebration of 25 years of Misfits (and 25 years of classic punk rock in general), founding member Jerry Only has recruited what is truly an all star line up of punk rock. Special guests performing within the Misfits line up for this historic current tour include punk pioneers Marky Ramone of the world famous Ramones - (recently inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame") and Black Flag's Dez Cadena. To commemorate the 25th Anniversary, artwork of Jerry Only and the classic Misfits "fiend skull" was commissioned from "Batman" artist Butch Lukic whose unmistakable style is showcased in Warner Brothers "Batman the Animated Series" and "Batman Beyond" among many others. The 25th anniversary Lukic artwork has quickly become a #1 seller in the Misfits popular T-shirt line. Most recently the power of the Misfits has transcended into a new record label "Misfits Records" housing all current and future Misfits releases as well as a few acquired bands under development with the label. Also planned is the first ever, Misfits home video and DVD, which will include extensive documentation of the history making 25th Anniversary tour and much more.
The first release under the new label is unique in that the Misfits have teamed up with Japan's premiere horror punks; "Balzac" (a Misfits influenced band) for a split CD single/EP. The Misfits M25 line up (featuring Only on bass and lead vocals with Marky Ramone on drums and Dez on guitar), perform a cover version of Balzac's "Day the Earth Caught Fire" and Balzac perform a cover medley of the Misfits tracks "The Haunting" and "Don't Open 'Till Doomsday". The split CD is now in stores in Japan (under the title "Don't Open 'Till Doomsday") and North America (under the title "Day the Earth Caught Fire"). Most recently the all-star lineup recorded a Misfits stylized side-project showcasing punk covers of classic 1950's era rock and roll hits. Some of the tracks included are "This Magic Moment" (Jay and the Americans), "Dream Lover" (Bobby Darin) and "Donna" (Richie Valens). Only, who has had the project in mind for some time now, states: "the backbone of punk has always been the 3-chord progression which was ultimately inspired by classic rock and roll of the 1950's. I've always wanted to record some of the music that inspired the Misfits to show fiends where it all began. With this album...I will." The new CD entitled "Project 1950" is slated for worldwide release summer 2003.In closing, Only surmises: "The Misfits have been preserved on determination and the sheer will to survive. That determination has been bound by the unequaled loyalty of our fanbase of fiends. Our goal is simple, to be the best. In resurrecting this band I risked all that I'd done in the past and I dared to challenge a legacy born in my youth. Today I am stronger, smarter and faster than I have ever been. We plan to continue as always, eclipse the past, block the sun and drag humanity by the throat into a world of darkness filled with ghouls, goblins and creatures of the night, where we are king."
One thing is certain, The Misfits are here to stay and once again everyday is Halloween.
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