Michael Graves is no Glenn Danzig.  He doesn’t want to be and never has.  [Jerry Only on the other hand seems to think he’s Glenn Danzig, Henry Rollins, and Joey Ramone all rolled into one bass playing, world wide wrestling, punk rock icon.  But that’s a different story.  See the show reviews section.]  Michael has handled the mighty task filling these enormous shoes with tremendous class and respect and in the face of stardom and scrutiny and ultimately obscurity always seems to have a grin on his face.  His new band with former Misfit Dr. Chudd is starting at the bottom and ready and eager to make the long climb to the top with their own brand of high energy, spook rock.  Hats off to Mike, and his new band Graves, who recently sat down with SPORE Magazine to reflect on his time with The Misfits.

What was it like being in The Misfits?

 MG-  It was like a dream come true.  I pretty much came from nowhere and I was in the right place at the right time.   I was blessed to play with a band like that, I went all over the world.  It was a challenge, the band had been down so long that they were legendary.  I had been a Danzig fan and I remember seeing him on MTV and it was an honor to play his songs which were so brilliant.  I was blessed.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you feel you were well received by Misfits fans?

 MG-  I feel I was very well received by Misfits fans and even Danzig fans.  I approached it with nothing but respect.  His voice is wonderful and I proved that I wasn’t out there to imitate him but rather pay tribute to his music. 

 

What’s up with The Misfits now?  Are you and Chudd out?

 MG-  The Misfits right now is made up primarily of Jerry Only, Robo, Dez from Black Flag, and Marky Ramone and that’s it.  It’s really not The Misfits in my opinion. 

 

Is Doyle not going to play with them anymore?

 MG-  From the knowledge that I have I don’t expect Doyle to go back and play with The Misfits.  I don’t exactly know Doyle’s reasoning.  He’s one of the greatest guitarists ever and the way he plays is just amazing.  Doyle’s heart is pure music and I don’t think he’d be happy playing in that situation from what I gather. 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry’s getting pretty old and do you think there’s a point where he should stop because he’s doing more damage than good to the Misfit’s legacy?

 MG-  In my opinion, I don’t like what the band is right now.  I’m not a fan of it, I don’t know what it represents, I don’t know what it stands for.  It’s not the band I got into.  I don’t know the reason behind it but I’m not a fan of it.