







The Misfits are a band that no one expected to reunite. Oddly enough, it was litigation that brought reconciliation. A legal battle over the lucrative Misfits trademark was settled with an agreement to play several shows as “The Original Misfits.” Sporadic concerts followed, culminating with a sold out “hometown Halloween show” at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden.

Demand for what would become the “final” Misfits concert was intense. Despite logging in to Ticketmaster during the presale, only 200 level seats remained. After securing seats it was official. I would be seeing The Original Misfits in New York City!

The Damned and Rancid rounded out the historic bill. Both bands were impressive. This was my first Damned show and they earned a life-long fan. Attending a headlining set from The Damned is now on my bucket-list.

It’s been several years since my last Rancid show but time hasn’t diluted their intensity. The crowd sang along to a set that leaned heavily on …And Out Come the Wolves. Those of us trapped in seats looked down with envy as enthusiastic concert-goers slam-danced to classic Rancid songs. The audience was amped up and ready for the main event.

Reservations about The Misfits performing in an arena vanished during the first song. The amount of energy was palpable as they opened with “Death Comes Ripping.” Sound was clear and even from the 200 level, the view was unobstructed.

Behind the stage, an oversized monitor presented a multi-media display. Vintage footage of Marilyn Monroe and JFK helped underscore the macabre lyrics of “Who Killed Marilyn” and “Bullet.” Naturally we were also treated to iconic images of the Crimson Ghost.









Projected images enhanced the experience but the real show was on stage. The band reveled in their moment of glory. Glenn Danzig even softened his notorious anti-camera stance. Danzig climbed on the barrier to sing as over-zealous fans waved phones in his face. This sold-out punk show at Madison Square Garden was historic and documentation was encouraged.

Jerry Only may have had the most fun. Throughout the night, he smashed a seemingly endless collection of bass guitars on stage. Each act of destruction brought a joke from Glenn. It felt good to see the two rivals getting along after so many years of acrimony. The positive energy was best expressed through Jerry’s multiple power slides across the stage.

Doyle brought his incomparable stage presence and Acey Slade filled out the sound on second guitar. Dave Lombardo was the secret weapon. Recruiting the legendary drummer ensured that the reunited Misfits performed with the aggressive energy expected by fans.





Over the course of a 90-minute set the Misfits ripped through 27 songs. Invariably, there were key omissions. As someone that grew up loving Legacy of Brutality, it was disheartening that “Static Age” and “TV Casualty” were not played. The absence of “Hatebreeders” was also perplexing. Still, at no point was I disappointed. The set was an onslaught of classic punk songs that had a sold out arena on their feet and singing every word.

Glenn Danzig had claimed that Madison Square Garden would be the final Misfits concert. A Philadelphia show is now slated for December. The legal settlement only called for 10 concerts. New York was show number 12. If the band doesn’t stop at a sold out Madison Square Garden, when do they stop? Have the Misfits become a permanent band instead of a temporary touring entity? A fiend can only hope!





