3 Hits from Hell
Encyclopedia
3 Hits from Hell was the sixth release from the Lodi, New Jersey
horror punk
band The Misfits.
The 7" EP was released in April 1981 as Plan 9 Records number PL1013. While there was no actual insert, some of the first pressing included a Misfits Fiend Club ad.
All three songs were recorded on 2" 16-track tape at Master Sound Productions in Franklin Square, New York
on August 7, 1980 with Bobby Steele
on guitar, and mixed with additional guitar tracks by producer Robbie Alter and Jerry Only
's younger brother, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein
(Paul Caiafa), on September 5, 1980, following Bobby's departure. After this session, but prior to the release, Doyle officially joined the band as Bobby's replacement.
While none of the other ten songs from this session were released until 1985, after the band had broken up, all 13 tracks were later remixed for the 12 Hits From Hell
release.
"London Dungeon" was written by Glenn Danzig
about his experience while jailed in Brixton
on December 2, 1979. Both "Horror Hotel" and "Ghouls Night Out" were based on 1960 horror films: Horror Hotel and Night Of The Ghouls
, respectively.
There were at least two, but possibly as many as five, distinct pressings. Estimates on the number and order of the various combinations of record attributes ranges from 3000 to 7000 black vinyl with a grey label and large spindle, which is known conclusively to be the earliest pressing, 2000 to 7000 black vinyl with a red label and large spindle, of which as many as 10 to 100 may actually be from an abbreviated earlier pressing, and 400 to 1000 black vinyl with a red label and small spindle. The only fixed number is that there were 400 white vinyl copies with a red label and a large spindle, which was the final pressing. The total number of EPs pressed is estimated to be either 6,500 or 10,000, depending on which pressing information is to be believed.
Lodi, New Jersey
Lodi is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 24,136. The borough of Lodi is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law.Lodi owes its name to the Italian city of Lodi...
horror punk
Horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...
band The Misfits.
The 7" EP was released in April 1981 as Plan 9 Records number PL1013. While there was no actual insert, some of the first pressing included a Misfits Fiend Club ad.
All three songs were recorded on 2" 16-track tape at Master Sound Productions in Franklin Square, New York
Franklin Square, New York
Franklin Square is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 29,320 at the 2010 census...
on August 7, 1980 with Bobby Steele
Bobby Steele
Bobby Steele is an American punk rock musician. He is the current guitar player, songwriter, and sole original member of punk band The Undead. He has been a member of multiple other bands, most notably, as the second guitarist of The Misfits...
on guitar, and mixed with additional guitar tracks by producer Robbie Alter and Jerry Only
Jerry Only
Jerry Only is an American bassist. He is the current bassist and vocalist for the Misfits. He is credited with creating the infamous hair style known as the devilock.-Life and career:...
's younger brother, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein
Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein
Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein , is an American guitarist best known for his material with the horror punk band the Misfits.-Life and career:...
(Paul Caiafa), on September 5, 1980, following Bobby's departure. After this session, but prior to the release, Doyle officially joined the band as Bobby's replacement.
While none of the other ten songs from this session were released until 1985, after the band had broken up, all 13 tracks were later remixed for the 12 Hits From Hell
12 Hits from Hell
12 Hits From Hell is a cancelled studio album by the Misfits. It was recorded in 1980 but went unreleased. Caroline Records attempted to release it in 2001, but band members Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only called off production and the album was scrapped....
release.
"London Dungeon" was written by Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig (born Glenn Allen Anzalone; June 23, 1955 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, entrepreneur, and a progenitor of the horror punk subgenre of music. He is a founder of bands the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig...
about his experience while jailed in Brixton
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
on December 2, 1979. Both "Horror Hotel" and "Ghouls Night Out" were based on 1960 horror films: Horror Hotel and Night Of The Ghouls
Night of the Ghouls
Night of the Ghouls is a 1959 horror film written and directed by Ed Wood. It is a sequel of sorts to the 1955 film Bride of the Monster...
, respectively.
Pressing history
The pressing history and details of this three-song EP are the most confounding to record collectors of any Misfits' release. Since all of the known pressing records were incomplete or incorrect, it is impossible to know any more than a few facts mixed with much conjecture.There were at least two, but possibly as many as five, distinct pressings. Estimates on the number and order of the various combinations of record attributes ranges from 3000 to 7000 black vinyl with a grey label and large spindle, which is known conclusively to be the earliest pressing, 2000 to 7000 black vinyl with a red label and large spindle, of which as many as 10 to 100 may actually be from an abbreviated earlier pressing, and 400 to 1000 black vinyl with a red label and small spindle. The only fixed number is that there were 400 white vinyl copies with a red label and a large spindle, which was the final pressing. The total number of EPs pressed is estimated to be either 6,500 or 10,000, depending on which pressing information is to be believed.
Track listing
Band
- Glenn DanzigGlenn DanzigGlenn Danzig Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig (born Glenn Allen Anzalone; June 23, 1955 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, entrepreneur, and a progenitor of the horror punk subgenre of music. He is a founder of bands the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig...
– vocals - Jerry OnlyJerry OnlyJerry Only is an American bassist. He is the current bassist and vocalist for the Misfits. He is credited with creating the infamous hair style known as the devilock.-Life and career:...
– background vocals, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - DoyleDoyle Wolfgang von FrankensteinDoyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein , is an American guitarist best known for his material with the horror punk band the Misfits.-Life and career:...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Arthur GoogyArthur GoogyArthur Googy was a drummer for the horror punk band The Misfits.He was the longest running drummer of the bands original era, spanning the years 1980 - 1982, and was present during the "Master Sound Productions Sessions" that led to the Walk Among Us album...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Bobby SteeleBobby SteeleBobby Steele is an American punk rock musician. He is the current guitar player, songwriter, and sole original member of punk band The Undead. He has been a member of multiple other bands, most notably, as the second guitarist of The Misfits...
– guitar on "London Dungeon"
Production
- Robbie Alter – producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, guitar on "London Dungeon"