Former DANZIG Bassist EERIE VON Talks Upcoming Misery Perfectum Documentary, Chemistry Of Band's Original Line-Up – "It's Not Called 'Magic' For Nothing"

In an exclusive interview with music writer Joel Gausten, legendary former Danzig/Samhain bassist Eerie Von discusses his upcoming documentary, Misery Perfectum, which offers an inside look into the histories of The Misfits, Samhain and Danzig. The complete feature – including rare Misfits and Danzig photos from Von’s personal collection – can be viewed at this location.

Misery Perfectum is currently being crafted from 100-plus hours of video and thousands of photos dating back to the Glenn Danzig-fronted era of The Misfits. A childhood friend of Jerry Only and Doyle, Von was heavily involved in The Misfits’ greatest era, regularly attending their practices and taking many of the band’s most iconic photos. Misery Perfectum is a historical and journalistic endeavor by Eerie Von and is central to him and his time with these three bands.
 
Excerpts from the interview appear below:

Joel Gausten: As you went through all the pictures for your book (Misery Obscura) and now this film, which people/moments from your past really made you stop and smile when you came across those particular images?

Eerie Von: “It’s an ongoing process. Some of the pics I haven’t seen in 30 years. Restoring the old stuff and being able to use shots no one has ever seen is great. They all make me a little nostalgic and I enjoy looking at them, especially when they look like I just shot them. I am also working on a second book of just photos, also called Misery Perfectum.”

Joel Gausten: Going back to the very beginning, what stands out in your mind the most from meeting Glenn the first time during the Cave photo shoot?

Eerie Von: “How small and thin he was back then – but I was, too. His sense of humor, mostly.”

Joel Gausten: There are tons of stories and myths about the Glenn-era Misfits, but what are some common misconception or untruths you’ve heard about that era over the years that this movie will help clarify and address?

Eerie Von: “I don’t know how many rumors will be laid to rest, but I think people don’t know how hands-on Glenn was back then, from the T-shirts and shooting the ‘Fits promo photos to hand-writing (letters) to all the Fiends.”

Joel Gausten: The jump from Samhain to Danzig was huge, both in musical style and image. How instrumental was Rick Rubin in setting these changes in motion?

Eerie Von: “I just cut off my Devilock and stopped shaving. I still looked at it like the same band, but now we had a metal guy and a killer drummer. Rubin brought the AC/DC/ Sabbath/ Zeppelin thing to the front, but me, Glenn and Chuck were still punk rock guys, so we just did our thing. I enjoyed playing in different styles and hearing music I never would have listened to before.”

Joel Gausten: What made the “classic” Danzig lineup work so well musically? What was the magic of that band in those years that can’t be duplicated?

Eerie Von: “It’s not called ‘magic’ for nothing. Sometimes it just happens. Did with us. I feel lucky to have had that in my life. Hope I feel that magic again someday. It can’t be defined or captured.”

Joel Gausten: It seems that Glenn has been more willing to embrace his past in recent years – from touring with Doyle again to doing the Samhain shows last year to now planning to re-release the ‘Who Killed Marilyn?’ single. How would you respond if he approached you about working together again?

Eerie Von: “I would be interested if it were for the right reasons. I would not do a Danzig reunion without Chuck and John – and a new record.”

Launched on March 5th, the Kickstarter page for Misery Perfectum has already raised just under $3,000 as of this writing and offers an array of incredible rewards including rare/signed Danzig promo posters and an original canvas painting by Von himself. More information is available here.