Three 65, Day 51
Misfits, Walk Among Us

File under pop-punk (really): The Misfits were never the hardcore band hardcore fans wanted them to be. One listen to their first album, Walk Among Us, is enough to prove that.

The Misfits were originally fronted by Glenn Danzig, before he was, you know, (gothic voice) "Danzig." Back when he still had a sense of humor, in other words. Taking their cues from 50s and 60s b-movies in the horror and sci-fi genres, the Misfits quickly became known for ferocious live shows and a guitar-driven attack that merged poppy harmonies with psychotic metal.

Take "I Turned Into A Martian," the album's second track. It starts off heavy, but soon enough, Danzig's doing that "whoa-whoa" thing with his voice like an Elvis impersonator. The showmanship of the King runs deep in the Misfits' DNA; all you have to do is listen to the opening seconds of the live track, "Mommy Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight," and hear Danzig say "Yuh!" before launching into the song. That's all. It's such a lip-curled tribute that the next minute, as thrashing as it is (and it is thrashing), is almost forgotten in the joke of the moment.

The Misfits released a couple of other albums, including Static Age, which were quite good. Eventually, Danzig decided to form Samhain, and then the band Danzig, and things were never quite the same. Some members reformed in the 90s (if you can count the drummer's roadie's brother's cousin's roommate a former member), and as things stand, the band is just laughable. If you're going to go out for the Misfits, insist on the originals.