It was an absolute honor to interview Misfits guitarist, and punk legend, Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein. After the absolute insanity of reuniting with the Original Misfits at Riot Fest, he recently released a new record entitled As We Die with his band Doyle. Doyle also wrapped up their first tour of Europe and are currently trekking across North America. If that’s not enough, Doyle is starring in his first movie called Death Ward 13 which is currently in production, and signing bands to his label; Monsterman Records. We had the privilege of carving out a few moments of Doyle’s time to discuss all his current projects, The Misfits, and The New York Giants.
Can you talk a little to how you approached the new record “As We Die”?
“We wrote most of the songs during Abominator, really it was just us in a room banging out riffs and writing songs, we have a lot of guest spots on the record as well including Randy Blythe from Lamb of God on ”Virgin Sacrifice”, and Alissa White-Gluz and Michael Amott from Arch Enemy on “Kiss Me As We Die” on the record. I told Michael that I needed a solo and he was on it, but I told him not to play above the 12th fret cause I didn’t want to do that.”
How did you get the guest spots on the record?
“Well, we sent them the three songs and let them do their thing. Like with Michael’s guitar solo, I just sat in the corner on Instagram until he told me he was done, or he took too long and I had to tell him to stop cause I needed to play on the song too”
And the record will be released through EMP Records / Monsterman Records… who recently signed Element A440…Are you looking to expand the label even more?
“Ya, it’s cool, we just signed them, and they are going out on tour eventually, EMP is Dave Ellefson from Megadeth’s label, and I was working with a friend of his recently talking about Monsterman Records, and he was like ‘why don’t you release the record with my label’. So it worked out great.”
You’ve got your hands on a lot right now including your first movie “Death Ward 13”, was this just the right time to start your film career, or was the character of “The Duke” just too good to pass up?
“That was my manager who set that up…. I’ve never really done any acting cause it’s really hard”, I’ve been in a few things in the past, but in this movie I don’t have any lines and then kill everyone so…. It’s right up my alley.”
I have to ask what was the vibe playing those two shows as the Original Misfits, people were going nuts…
“It was good, just like old times, we laughed, and had a lot of fun. I wish we were doing more, but you know.”
You’re 2017 Abominate the World Tour continues tomorrow in Raleigh, NC, with Davey Suicide, what is the best part of playing your songs live?
“I get to bang on my guitar within those 12 notes, it’s pretty amazing.”
Can you speak a little to what influenced you to want to play guitar and be a full-time musician?
“Shit, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Joe Perry, there are a lot of influences around that I can’t even remember right now.”
You have been playing guitar with The Misfits, and by yourself for going on 40 years. There are so many artists and musicians that list The Misfits as huge influences on their sound
“You know it’s crazy, you have Metallica, Rob Zombie, and Punk bands, Metal Bands that list us as influences, and we have gone on, we are then directly influenced by them as well, It’s amazing the breadth of genres that we have hit along the way. “
I see you in a New York Giants football shirt sometimes, are you a football fan?
“It’s stresses me out man, I used to watch it all the time, and it just go too much. Now I just watch the playoffs, and that’ the only thing I watch on TV. I don’t need any more stress.”
Well I’m a Cleveland Brown’s fan, so I know all about stress
“Ya but you guys won like 9 Championships in the 50’s…”
Ya but you have 4 Super Bowls, we can’t compete with that, I just listen to them on the radio anymore
What’s next for you guys? Any more Misfits tours?
“You know, I wish it was that simple and I could tell you we were going to do anything coming up, but even if we were, I couldn’t tell you. The two shows we played were pretty great, we are going to do the rest of this tour with Doyle and figure something out. “
