I can’t tell you the first time I heard the Misfits, but the chances are good it was probably through some other artist covering their work. After all, there have been plenty of artists who have covered them. Metallica, The Lemonheads, AFI, and Regular John all come to mind, though there are countless others who have made an attempt at covering their many songs. However, I’ll admit that while I probably found the Misfits through cover versions, I truly fell in love with their work when I did. It was angry, it was forceful, it fused pop culture with punk rock, and it was weirdly satirical a lot of the time – all of which were musical concepts I adored.
As I learnt to play guitar and I attempted to learn to sing, I found myself covering Misfits songs on a whim, realising not only how simple the songs actually are, but how often they also lean into classic pop songwriting when I took them apart. It was fun, but I’m not really that much of a performer outside the bedroom (so to speak), so I never did much with these songs.
Some time ago, however, a friend of mine urged me to record the cover of ‘Hybrid Moments’ I’d played over the years. So, in the midst of lockdowns and losing a longtime job, I decided to finally try my hand at proper recording – albeit in a somewhat rudimentary, DIY manner. I picked four Misfits songs I’d played over the years, dusted off my mic, warmed up my poor vocals, and laid down some tracks. The result was decent, though I probably could have opted for a better sounding room, better treatment of the acoustic guitar, and sprung for an actual bass. After struggling for months with the mixing process, I put the project on ice, unsure if I’d ever actually release them.
In October 2022, however, I found myself in Dallas, Texas witnessing something I thought I’d never see. Just mere miles away where the events that inspired their 1978 single ‘Bullet’ transpired, I witnessed (the majority of) the original lineup of the Misfits playing live. What’s more, it took place 29 years to the day since their breakup. I left the show feeling a little more inspired to actually get this project over the line, and vowed to learn the mixing process far better so that I could share these songs with the world. Ultimately, I found myself totally disillusioned with the process, fed up with countless useless YouTube videos, and I turned to some friends for advice, whereby fellow South Australian Sam Perry came onboard to tackle the mixing and mastering aspects of the music. With his help, I was finally able to get this songs sounding closer to what I’d aimed for in the initial process. Sure, things could have been recorded better, and it’s clear I’ll never be a decent singer, but I’m relatively proud of what I put together. After all, it’s a moment in time, and it’s the following of a passion, and if that isn’t what art is all about, what is?
So here we have four acoustic reimagining of Misfits songs, released 40 years to the day since the band broke up, and one year to the day since I saw them live. They’re not my favourite Misfits songs, though they’re some I’m very fond of, and most are all fittingly informed by cover versions I’ve heard of them over the years. It also marks my public debut under the Cheap Domestic name. I hope you enjoy these songs.
If you download the full album, or buy a copy of the limited edition CDr, you can also hear an exclusive “live recording” of my final-ever performance as Cheap Domestic, recorded back at the Graystone Hall in Detroit, Michigan for my annual Halloween show from way back in October 1983. That's right, friends, it's truly baffling.
I’m coming back for more.
LTR002
credits
released October 29, 2023
All songs written by Glenn Danzig.
Mixed and mastered by Sam Perry.
Performed and recorded by Cheap Domestic.
Poignantly rendered alternative rock from Maxwell Stern, formerly of Signals Midwest, explores feelings of disconnection and belonging. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 30, 2020
The Philadelphia singer-songwriter offers a gentle & heartfelt track with all proceeds going to the National Independent Venue Association. Bandcamp New & Notable May 21, 2020
A hushed and low-lit EP from this Melbourne musician, where dreamlike melodies drift across a bed of tender guitar. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 19, 2023
Recorded on the Grecian isle of Hydra, this is blissed-out psych pop with stacked falsetto harmonies and luscious arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 9, 2023
