I recently discovered Toxic Swamp's killer YouTube channel, just full of old Misfits live show recordings from the late 70s through the early 80s. They even go a step further, creating outstanding cover art for each show, made to look like the classic old Blue Note jazz record covers from the 50's and 60s (this particular cover features great photos of Jerry and Glenn with devilock mohawks, which I had never seen before)!
Cover art courtesy of Toxic Swamp (YouTube).
The standout is the classic Hittsville Passaic, NJ show, recorded on Christmas night, 1981. It's easily the best sound out of any of the other live shows, and it features everything a killer punk show should be. Totally raw, totally rowdy, and totally fun! Glenn and the boys are really on it for this show, with great interaction with the crowd. It's easy to see why this live show has been bootlegged to vinyl, as it's one of their best live shows (except if you're their ex-guitarist, Bobby Steele...).
It looks like you have to go to the Toxic Swamp YouTube channel to watch it, but if you're even just a casual Misfits fan, it's totally worth it. Enjoy!
Such a great and unique design treatment for an absolute horror classic, featuring everyone's favorite goopy mess of a zombie, Tarman! Great colors on this one, too. (They released a Misfits-inspired "Devilock" color variant which sold out immediately, although I prefer the simple and bold colors of this version better. But that's just me...)
The Misfits all day today. And yes, I'm going with the Legacy of Brutality version of this one, because I feel that it's a bit more raw. Track number 4:
How insanely rad is this live clip from the 70s English punk band, Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias!? Snarling, leather-clad vocals that flow and crack like a whip, guitarists with strange zombie skull masks and makeup, an eye-gouged drummer with a machine-gun beat, and whatever that one guy was doing to the guitarist's "midriff area" right after that blistering solo... They don't bring it like this any more! Kill!
So just two days after getting home from the whirlwind weekend that was the Midwest Haunters Convention, brother Scrapes and I decided to take in a show to keep the craziness going.
It's not often that bigger named acts make a stop here in Akron (most swing through Cleveland), but when they do, we definitely make it a priority to go check them out.
And thus was the case last Wednesday at Musica, when we got the triple-bill treat of rockabilly stalwarts the Flat Duo Jets, southern California skate punk legends Agent Orange and Texas psychobilly masters Reverend Horton Heat. I had seen Agent Orange and Reverend Horton Heat in the past, but how could I pass up a show of this caliber, only literally five minutes down the road from my house!?
I grabbed the trusty camera and headed out...
Unfortunately, we entered a packed house half way through the Flat Duo Jets' opening set, and we opted for a trip to the bar before a trip to the stage, so I wasn't able to get any pictures. But take my word for it, that band still brings it! After their foot-stomping set, we set up at the front of the stage to catch the next band.
Even with a broken wrist, Mike Palm and the rest of Agent Orange still belted out their skate rock classics, making the 15-year-old skate rat in me quite happy!
After the Agent Orange set, Reverend Horton Heat took the stage and blazed through their headlining set. Absolute tightness, precision and fun, ending with an incredible cover...
An amazing show all around. All three bands sounded great and I couldn't be happier that they played a small club here in Akron. And all just five minutes from the Cemetery! Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday night...
I just caught wind of this one over at Blumhouse. Night Birds are a punk band that have been on my radar for a few years now, but this killer 2013 punk cover of the Carpenter classic is totally rad! You are the Duke of New York. You're A number 1!
A cold, weathered hand pierces the rust-laden earth of a late autumn night. Reanimated decay becomes the evening's guide. Masked faces bask in the fiery glow of a jack-o-lantern's illumination. A lifeless finger points the direction toward the next porch-lit house. For this is the night of ghouls and goblins and tricks and treats. This is the night of Hallowe'en...
