Finally, in 1997, Only won the right to use the Misfits name. He gathered an all-star lineup of former punk legends and went on a tear, releasing three albums in six years. Taking an almost comical approach to their original horror vibe, the "new look" Misfits may have lost a step in the punk department guttural wails were replaced by sing-a-long vocals; unspeakable evil usurped by images of Frankenstein and the Wolfman. But whatever they lost in punk cred they gained in a sort of light-hearted listenability. Their last album was composed of '50s covers like "Dream Lover" and "Monster Mash." It's not the expected turn for a band whose idea of a dream lover was once an undead Marilyn Monroe, but damn it all if it's not a little bit fun. Check out Only and crew when they stop by the Culture Room tonight at 7:30 p.m. (3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale). Tickets run $20. Get them at cultureroom.net.
Sun., Dec. 7, 2008