Artist: DANZIG
Album: DANZIG REISSUE (CD)

Release date: 1988/ 2007
EAN/UPS: 0731458695325
Media type: CD

Dubbed 'The Evil Elvis', GLENN DANZIG piloted the MISFITS and SAMHAIN before 'going solo', and venturing into, dare we say, slightly more commercial waters. His first taste of work outside of the MISFITS came with his 1981 solo single 'Who Killed Marilyn?'.

Adhering to the Henry Ford policy of 'any colour so long as it's black', the darkly clad Danzig's appeal didn't just end with angry young men, more than one infatuated female being moved enough to pay tribute to her hero by having DANZIG inspired artwork tattooed on her body somewhere or another! DANZIG's imagery is as renowned as their musical endeavours.

DANZIG's work has taken the band into almost unexplored areas of the Rock panorama by celebrating pure 50's Rock n' Roll, brooding Blues and fusing this into Glenn Danzig's mutated vision of Punk Heavy Metal. DANZIG evolved out of Glenn Danzig's post MISFITS band SAMHAIN during 1987.

The inaugural line up of DANZIG included former SAMHAIN members guitarist JOHN CHRIST (initially known as John Von Christ) and ex MISFITS / ANTIDOTE drummer EERIE VON (real name Arthur Googy) now on bass guitar with drummer Chuck Biscuits. The latter had in fact journeyed his way through numerous bands including D.O.A., VICTORIAN PORK and Canadian acts the SUBHUMANS and POINTED STICKS. In 1982 Biscuits joined the renowned BLACK FLAG and the following year CIRCLE JERKS. The drummer was also in BROWN SOUND, very briefly a member of FEAR and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS in 1985 and had created his own act FLOORLORDS recording the 'Black Ice Riot 2-Nite' single just previous to joining DANZIG.

Between MISFITS and DANZIG bassist Eerie Von had adopted the Hare Krishna influenced stage name of 'Bliss' whilst on Straight Edge Hardcore band ANTIDOTE.

The first outing for the band was on newly created label Def American and was credited to GLENN DANZIG AND THE POWER AND FURY ORCHESTRA with the track 'You And Me (Less Than Zero)' for the 'Less Than Zero' movie soundtrack album. Line up for this song comprised of Danzig, Christ, Biscuits and producer George Drakoulias on bass. This record also included a song recorded by ROY ORBISON but written by Danzig.

single credited likewise was issued 'You Are My Woman'. DANZIG performed their first live show in Trenton, New Jersey in September 1988.

During 1990 Danzig took time out to produce the self titled KINGHORSE album. Later that year DANZIG kicked off their 'Long Way Back From Hell' tour of America utilising Rick Dittamo on keyboards.

October of 1991 found DANZIG in downbeat mood with an acoustic concert for Halloween at Riki Rachtman of MTV's club. With Biscuits, Von and Christ on acoustic guitars Danzig crooned through originals plus blues standards by the likes of MUDDY WATERS and WILLIE DIXON. The following month the band entered the studio to cut 'Danzig III: How The Gods Kill'. Blues legend WILLIE DIXON agreed to put in a guest appearance but sadly died before the sessions could be arranged.

GLENN DANZIG released the solo outing 'Black Aria' in 1992, a totally instrumental affair with female voices.

DANZIG were also seemingly thrown off a 'Monsters Of Rock' style event in Italy during 1992 headlined by IRON MAIDEN after Glenn had attempted to provoke the audience in pre-event interviews into bottling WARRANT off stage.

of 1993 found DANZIG back in the studio to record the 'Thrall' mini album. Christ and Biscuits would stick together to record a song 'For Christ's Sake' surfacing on a compilation album 'Guitar's Practising Musicians Volume III' the same year.

A war of words with DEF LEPPARD at the 'Rock Am Ring' festival in Germany led to stories of fisticuffs as Glenn was reported to have insulted Vivian Campbell's wife backstage. With journalist's present this ugly event was widely reported.

The band's world tour even took them as far as New Zealand where they came across a DANZIG covers band in Auckland and duly joined the band onstage much to the surprise of the audience.

The 1994 'Danzig IV' album saw the band again in the American charts and ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist JERRY CANTRELL guesting on three tracks. A lengthy American supporting METALLICA took DANZIG to the masses. Seemingly out of the blue the band's stature was raised immeasurably by the track 'Mother' actually gaining a foothold in the Billboard charts. However, in August Biscuits quit the band.

Biscuits, joining Country Punks SOCIAL DISTORTION, had been supplanted by Joey Castillo on drums. Between DANZIG and SOCIAL DISTORTION Biscuits had formed part of a FOUR HORSEMEN reformation for a concert in honour of his brother and FOUR HORSEMEN drummer Ken 'Dimwit' Montgomery who had died of a drug overdose in 1994. Biscuits demoed with FOUR HORSEMEN before moving on to SOCIAL DISTORTION.

In May of 1995 both Christ and Von quit DANZIG by letter. Von made way for new bassist Josh Lazie, actually already on the road with DANZIG as Castillo's drum tech.

Castillo and Lazie had previously been with CHRONIC HALITOSIS, a side project formed by MURPHY'S LAW guitarist Todd Youth. Castillo also operated with SUGARTOOTH. During this period Christ had been moonlighting performing movie soundtracks. He is credited with the music to 'Sex Freaks', 'Passion For Justice' and 'A Place For Annie'.

Christ would form JUICE 13 with former OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Randy Castillo, Cheesebox from T.S.O.L. and GUNS N' ROSES bassist Krys Baratto. JUICE 13 would fold when Castillo resumed activities with OZZY OSBOURNE.

TRACKLIST:

1. Twist Of Cain
2. Not Of This World
3. She Rides
4. Soul On Fire
5. Am I Demon
6. Mother
7. Possession
8. End Of Time
9. The Hunter
10. Evil Thing

LINE-UP:

Glenn Danzig (vocals)
John Christ (guitar)
Eerie Von (bass)
Chuck Biscuits (drums)