The Misfits are a Horror Punk band formed in 1977 and led by singer and songwriter Glenn Danzig and later, bassist Jerry Only. They were highly influential on the genres of Heavy Metal, Punk Rock and Rock music in general. Though they ceased recording and performing in 1983, a new version of the band (led by Only and without founder and former frontman Danzig) began operations in 1995 (see below).

The early Misfits were often quite melodic, featuring Danzig's versatile singing, which had a style rooted in Italian tenors such as Mario Lanza and in 1950s doo-wop. Musically, the band has also displayed some Rockabilly influences . Early Misfits songs tended to have catchy, sing-along choruses, initially backed by Danzig's distorted keyboard accompaniments (circa 1977), and later by willfully crude guitar-rock. The band began as a largely untrained ensemble. After several lineup changes and increasing international acclaim, Danzig disbanded the original Misfits in 1983.

The band often wore ghoulish makeup when performing, and bassist Jerry Only reputedly invented a hairstyle called the devilock, with the bangs coming to a point in front of the nose or chin, a style still worn by fans (A.K.A. Fiends) today and contributed to the foundation of Horror Punk.

When the band originally reformed, it featured Michael Graves on vocals, Jerry Only on bass, Dr. Chud (Cannibalistic Human Underground Drummer) on drums, and Jerry's brother Doyle on guitar. Doyle is currently estranged from the group and is working with a new group named Gorgeous Frankenstein, which formed in 2005. Doyle recently reunited with Glenn Danzig's band Danzig to perform special sets of Misfits songs on Danzig's Blackest of the Black 2005 and 2006 tour.

A third, "touring" incarnation of the band, without original singer Danzig, is presently led by the only other "constant" original member, bassist Jerry Only. Members of the touring group have included Marky Ramone , and both drummer ROBO , and guitarist Dez Cadena of Black Flag fame