Back in May, when the Misfits announced their “original lineup” reunion of frontman Glenn Danzig, bassist Jerry Only, and guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, the role of drummer was left wide open. The pioneering New Jersey punk band ran through a series of stickmen in their late-’70s and early-’80s heyday, so with no obvious candidate to step in, there was speculation that the band would reach outside its initial circle to round out the reunion.
This week, the Misfits lineup, billed as the Original Misfits, has been confirmed, and filling in on drums is former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, who should add some mighty thunder when the punk band plays a pair of upcoming Riot Fest gigs, this weekend in Denver and then September 16 to 18 in Chicago. Lombardo played on nine Slayer albums, including 1986’s Reign In Blood, and currently drums for Suicidal Tendencies
“The Misfits created the horror punk attitude and had a massive influence on modern rock, punk and metal. It was an easy decision for me to join them for these monumental shows,” Lombardo says in a press release. “I was honored to be asked, and am very excited to be playing with the band. Judging by the rehearsals alone, Misfits fans will not be disappointed — this is everything they could have hoped for and more.”
Adds Danzig: “I first met Dave back in ’88 when Danzig did four shows with Slayer in the U.S., before the first Danzig album was released. Dave is one of the best drummers around, and I can’t wait for everyone to see him pounding Misfits songs live for these special shows.”
Even Only got into the press release fun, stating: “Dave Lombardo is a master at what he does. With the immensity of the two shows we’re planning together, the biggest decision we had was who is going to keep time and power this monster machine on drums? When Dave Lombardo’s name was thrown into the ring, Glenn and I were immediately on the same page from the very start, a good sign of things to come. I think the darker side of punk we created with the Misfits spawned the growth and evolution of punk into thrash, and sired bands like Metallica and Slayer, just as we inspired countless others in the punk revolution.”
We can only hope that things go so well as Riot Fest, these Original Misfits take the show on the road.
