The following interview was conducted April 1st,
Many legendary artists have been made using one name. Regardless of genre, certain names spoken aloud lead to instant reaction and recognition. In the metal world Ozzy, Dio, Lemmy even Doro are one-name iconic heavyweights among many others. In punk, two names ironically starting with D have one name monikers, using first and last names respectively. Both in the same band originally, both responsible for inventing a sub-genre of music, both notorious for being dark, brooding and buff.
(Glenn) Danzig and Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein are the double D’s of Lodi, New Jersey and horror-punk starting The Misfits, which started everything else relative. Doyle still looks like the scariest thing you’d never wanna see in a dark alley after midnight, a walking horror movie with a guitar that would make serial killers nervous.
Fast forward to 2022, the world is re-opening and readjusting to post pandemic norms, continuing where 2019 ended. It’s the perfect time for the pale-bolted powerhouse, Von Frankenstein to reemerge from the quarantined crypt.
This year the devilocked shredder brings his version of doomsday to American stages and later this year, storms over to Spain and the UK. He and band mates Alex Story, Wade Murff and Brandon Strate have officially broken out of pandemic prison, roaring back to regular touring with two solo records, Abominator and Doyle II: As We Die ready to scream and scrape audience’s ears off. “I’ve played one show, but yeah first tour,” he says. If the April 1st Harrison, Ohio performance was any indication of other shows previous or future, Doyle has brutal vegan-powered fuel for days.
The Doyle band will leave an all senses impression, maybe even a permanent mark or scar. “Yeah, we usually do.”
Though he can’t see the crowds, based on name value and history alone filling venues isn’t an issue. Though if you’re up close to the action, getting hit by well-played, well-placed flying guitar pics from the chrome black costumed Annihilator, could happen.
He doesn’t concern himself with lyrics and setlists, only the deafening, thunderous, somewhat demonic sounds he conjures out of the strings every show. “I just play it.” Fans will obviously have their favorite tunes but this tour every crowd got a healthy dose of both records, though sets changed nightly.
He’s sure to have tons of road stories and seen insane shit happen at shows over the years though he says, currently the men outnumber the ladies in the crowd.
Doyle in street clothes is an intimidating sight but seeing him decked out in full stage gear, ripped and monstered-up would or should stop anyone from attempting a few seconds of stage fame. Just looking at his beastly graven face and dark black eyes says don’t f— with me! Getting cracked with the Annihilator would also be very painful. He warns anyone that would consider it, in dark, ominous tone “I think that would be a mistake.” Taking their life into their own hands, “Sure are.”
His name is legendary in punk, metal and music circles in general with origins in popular ‘60s TV, with Rob Zombie remaking The Munsters, a vital part of his onstage identity is getting an update, “That’s gonna be a hard one, man, a tough one to tackle. If it’s really done well, I’m sure he can do a great job. I’m not sure if I would have attempted that one.”
He thinks Sheri Moon Zombie’s a good actress, “I believe her in those movies.” She can play a sociopathic deranged psycho well but can she play a beloved monstrous TV matriarch? Time will tell.
Though he might bring similar sounds out of his guitar as Slayer’s Kerry King, he’s the only person that plays and sounds like him. “I’m the ‘me’ of my guitar playing style. Nobody plays like that.”
He comments on the timeline of more music coming out, “I think we’re gonna do singles. I have two albums written, I have to give to Alex to finish. I think we’re gonna do singles, streaming’s a rip off. We make zero dollars on it. I put it out one at a time and you have to buy them from me.”
He says the storyline footage for the “Run for Your Life” video was filmed in their factory. You can also watch the dissecting “Dream Dead Girls” video.
Whether on stage or on camera blowing bubbles is a favorite past time, “I always do that.”
On releasing future music on the MonsterMan Records Label, he chides, “I don’t know. I can’t see the future.” There are a couple bands signed though his manager does the scouting.
His makeup is iconic in all its variations and manifestations. Could someone offer him something so enticing or tempting that would make him take a photo without it? “No.”
To see him, you’d assume he was usually the intimidator, but it takes a great white predator to make him nervous, accompanied by a deadly violin. “Jaws, yeah, I saw it when it came out.”
For those that admire his pale, ripped torso, when going to the gym he says, “Just be consistent, do something.” You can also use his costume Vegan Monster Protein powder too. ”If you like it, yeah, it sells well. We have a new flavor coming out soon.”
Many in the public still don’t understand what eating Vegan means. “They don’t understand what the word means. It’s real food bananas, bread, pasta, everything that doesn’t have animal shit in it. That’s all, pretty simple.”
Now that the Abominate The World: As We Die Tour is done, the Doyle band head to Europe later this year. “We’re going to Spain in the end of June. July, Europe/UK run from the 9th of August until the 25th then some festivals, Bloodstock Fest.” They have Bloody Roots Fest in September. A Misfit’s show comes to Chicago in September, then Australia for Doyle on December 15, 16 and 17.
So far, 2022 is going normal with no backtracking, “Yeah, so far so good.” They take their health and privacy very seriously with no meet & greets on the bus or backstage.
Concerning people, he’s done movie conventions in the past, “I try to always have a good time.” To whom would play him if a Doyle bio or movie ever happened, he cracks, “Danny DeVito.”
He says a live record could happen down the road. He’s happy with this band and very proud of playing MSG with The Misfits.
Though he’s appeared on camera at wrestling shows in the past, if the WWE ever offered him an on air role would he do it? “If it was a lot of money and I don’t get hit with chairs, yeah.”
Besides hot sauce, protein powder, a new pick up line, he has a new string line coming soon. “It’s called Von Frankenstein music gear, my pickup is called the Von Frankenstein Monster and we’re trying to make other people pickups as well. Just have to see what they want, give them samples.”
His guitar model will also be for sale, “Its coming out. I just signed the contract a couple days ago. Get ready for orders, before Christmas.”
He describes the design inspiration, “I drew it on a book cover, when your mom covers your books in high school with a paper bag. I saved it and started working with a couple guys I met. In my factory on guitars and it was to scale. I put it on the floor and put the picture right up to it, drawn perfectly to scale, so I made it.”
If you haven’t experienced Doyle live yet this year, the shows are guaranteed to be a fast, furious, vicious hour, give or take with him in full on beast mode.. “Crowds can expect to be entertained,” he says in a commanding, haunting tone. He also ‘highly’ recommends, everyone put the damn phone away and enjoy the show!
Check out website and socials for all things Doyle.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALDOYLE
Instagram- www.instagram.com/OfficialDoyle
Website – http://officialdoyle.com/
