Danzig: Often Imitated, Never Duplicated

Glenn Danzig isn't called "The Evil Elvis" for no reason. Not unlike Elvis Presley, the Danzig/former Misfits and Samhain singer has had his share of impersonators throughout his 30 year musical career.

But unlike The King, most of Danzig's clones pretend to have never heard of him. Not particularly nice, is it? But it makes sense, 'cause while Danzig is responsible for both the most successful melding of punk rock and horror imagery to date, as well as taking credit for defining the true sound of hardcore, he's never really received the amount of recognition or accolades he deserves. Instead he's been the recipient of more than a few shots to the cranium thanks to his confrontational, take-no-shit ways.

Regardless, it makes sense that there are throngs of artists and bands who have copied, mimicked or mentioned Danzig over the years. He's got street cred due to his pioneering ways and it's surprising what people will do to copy that.

ChartAttack: How do you feel knowing that there are guys out there copying you? Isn't it frustrating that they're stealing your shit?
Glenn Danzig: I guess it's OK. I'd rather have them copy me than Foreigner or U2 or something miserably mundane. A long time ago Rick Rubin told me that people copy from the best so take it that way instead of getting angry. Sometimes the only thing that bothers me is when they're not upfront about who their inspirations are. At the same time, you do have a lot of people worshipping the ground you walk on.

People ask me about AFI and they were really respectful. [Singer] Davey Havok always says that Danzig, Misfits and Samhain were influences. It bothers me when people rip stuff off from you but pretend to have never heard of you. Footnote your influences. For me, it would have been Black Sabbath and Elvis, blues and that stuff. I'm honest about it. You always get the asshole that rips you off so much they don't want to say it. Maybe they feel like they invented it. It's retarded.

I suppose that after giving these people shit, you must feel like you've managed to put a unique twist on your influences?
I try to twist. As long as you say "influence" instead of "copy." I'm not stealing Sabbath riffs and I'm not trying to sing like Ozzy. I don't think Ozzy can sing like Ozzy anymore.

Maybe there is some truth to that old adage, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?"
Not always. Have you heard some of the shit out there (laughs)? At least no one's getting surgery to look like me. I've heard about Elvis impersonators that get surgery to look more like The King. But those guys aren't going "Elvis who? I'm better than he ever was!"

When you see this shit going on, what is your reaction?
I don't have time to change my mind these days, so I have a good laugh and get on with my life. I've got other shit to deal with (laughs).

What's been the most amusing imitation you just couldn't get pissed off about?
At the first Danzig show before we had an album out, these people came out to the dressing room saying, "You gotta go downstairs! There are people dressed like Glenn and Eerie (Von) and they're pretending that they're you. We sent people over to ask them for photographs and stuff, it was hilarious! They were playing along and people are like, "Aren't you supposed to be going on stage soon?" They're all, "Yeah, we'll get to it." Everyone took the shit out of them when we finally went on, "Hey! Who are those guys up there? They're pretending they're you!"