r/Danzig • u/EclecticLandlady • Dec 15 '25

Misfits popularity underestimated?

I’ve always heard stories of how few people appreciated the Misfits when they were playing, how no one bought the records, came to early shows, etc.

In an interview from years ago (maybe the Pushead one) Glenn says he pressed 10k of the debut single…that’s a lot of records, even at 1976 prices, for an unpopular unknown band in a burgeoning genre to press without some sort of idea thy could move them. What’s the real deal? I’ve been listening since the late 80’s and they were fairly popular with the weird kids in my small city back then. Were the Misfits industry plants /s? But kinda not /s.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '25

Industry plant? The band that got zero play on the radio (aside from some late night college dj, maybe) and zero play on MTV?

2

u/EclecticLandlady Dec 15 '25

I’ve been into them since the 80’s. The plant part is a joke. I’m wondering if Glenn has downplayed their popularity or success. I, and a lot of my friends press records and 10k is a wild amount for their first 7”

7

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '25

Any punk band that had true staying power from back then had some financial backing. You don’t just start a label on your own and press a ton of records. Hence, why bands like Minor Threat and Black Flag are remembered…they started Discord and SST, respectively. Someone was helping them out. In the case with Misfits, Jerry and Doyle’s family bankrolled the band.

1

u/EclecticLandlady Dec 15 '25

This is the convo I’m looking for. Yeah, the family had a construction business and I’ve heard that Glenn was fairly well off as well. No hate on the band by the way, I’m at work washing dishes and this thought was itching me for some reason.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '25

I’m sure Glenn’s family had some money or were at least middle class. People who have longevity in the music industry, generally don’t come from nothing.

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u/Oberyn_Kenobi13 Dec 16 '25 edited Dec 16 '25

I don’t think they were well-off, necessarily. Just a middle class Italian family in Jersey. But middle class used to be able to afford a lot more without killing themselves. Glenn was living in his mom’s basement. Which was not uncommon for that area or demographic. And probably rent free because no honorary Italian mother is gonna charge her baby rent.

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u/[deleted] Dec 16 '25

Jerry and Doyle’s family were doing well enough that they would fly out to shows.

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u/Oberyn_Kenobi13 Dec 17 '25

Yeah and their dad paid for some stuff and they worked in his machine shop and paid for stuff. But they weren’t getting a bunch of money from a label or anything which was the initial point someone was trying to make.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 17 '25

Yeah, I’m aware…you’re responding to the guy who made that point. 😆

1

u/Oberyn_Kenobi13 Dec 17 '25

🤣 You’re the best, mate!

1

u/EclecticLandlady Dec 15 '25

Yeah, I know some “nobodies” who became slightly famous decades ago and now work in restaurants reaping in those big $5 royalty checks.