Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein

Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein
Doyle performing with Danzig at Wacken Open Air 2013 with his custom-made "Annihilator" guitar
Background information
Birth name Paul Caiafa
Born (1964-09-15) September 15, 1964
Lodi, New Jersey
Genres Hardcore punk, heavy metal, horror punk
Occupation(s) Guitarist, songwriter
Instruments Guitar
Years active 1980–present
Associated acts The Misfits, Kryst the Conqueror, Danzig, Gorgeous Frankenstein, Blitzkid, Doyle

Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (born Paul Caiafa on September 15, 1964 in Lodi, New Jersey) is an American guitarist best known for his material with the horror punk band the Misfits and his own band eponymously named Doyle.

Life and career

1980–1983: Misfits (Glenn Danzig era) lead guitarist

Doyle, the younger brother of the Misfits bassist, Jerry Only, was originally a roadie for the band and was taught how to play guitar by lead vocalist Glenn Danzig and his brother. He joined the Misfits in October 1980 at the age of 16. Doyle was the band's third guitarist, replacing Bobby Steele (The Undead) after Steele failed to show up to practice sessions.[1] Jerry and Doyle would finance the band by working at their father's shop.

Like Glenn and Jerry, Doyle incorporated the Devilock into his image.

Doyle in 1983

1987–1989: Kryst the Conqueror with Jerry Only

In 1987, four years after the dissolution of the Misfits, Doyle and Jerry formed the metal band Kryst The Conqueror with drummer The Murp. Select songs from the album were released by Jerry Only's record label "Cyclopian Music" as an EP, and featured guest guitarist Dave "The Snake" Sabo of the rock band Skid Row.

1995–2000: Misfits (Michael Graves era) lead guitarist

In 1995 Jerry settled a legal battle out of court with co-founder Glenn Danzig, effectively allowing him rights to the band's name on a performing level.[2]

Doyle and Jerry reformed the Misfits in 1995, this time with Jerry acting as the band's figurehead and with Michale Graves as vocalist and Dr. Chud as drummer. The group released two full-length albums of new material.

2000s: Touring with Danzig and forming Gorgeous Frankenstein

In 2005, Doyle left New Jersey for Las Vegas, and began auditioning members for his own band, Gorgeous Frankenstein.

The same year, he appeared on stage with Danzig numerous times throughout their tour. They would meet again in 2007, when Gorgeous Frankenstein played their first tour, opening for Danzig. This line up included Argyle Goolsby of Blitzkid, Dr. Chud and Gorgeous George.[3] Doyle has since joined them on several occasions to play 30-minute-long sets of classic Misfits songs.[4]

During the latter quarter of 2011, former vocalist Danzig and guitarist Doyle performed Misfits songs on four different occasions as part of the "Danzig Legacy" tour. The first of the four shows, which took place on October 7 in Chicago as one of the headlining acts at Riot Fest, saw a sold-out crowd of 5,000+. The last true "Legacy" show took place on Halloween at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles with an over sold crowd of 7,000+.

In 2012, "Danzig and Doyle" headlined several worldwide Festivals and did around 70+ shows together. Danzig would play his set then call out Doyle and they would slam out some Misfits tunes.

2010s: New band project (Doyle)

The year 2013 saw the inception of Doyle's solo effort, eponymously named "Doyle". The band features Alex Story of Cancerslug on vocals, Dr. Chud of the second-era Misfits on drums, and "Left Hand" Graham on bass.

The debut album, Abominator, was released digitally through INgrooves/Fontana Distribution on July 30, 2013 through iTunes, Google Play, and other streaming services like Deezer. It was distributed by Altavoz (USA), Nippon Columbia (Japan) and Cargo Records (Europe).

Doyle with Steve Zing (Danzig) in 2013

The album was independently produced and released by Doyle's own Monsterman Records. The official CD release was in October, 2013 in major retailers such as Best Buy and FYE. There is an "advance copy" available that was sold at shows on the Danzig "Legacy Tour", as well as from Doyle's official website. This pre-released advance is lacking a 13th track, released on the final cut, entitled "Drawing Down The Moon".[5]

In February 2014, Doyle started dating Arch Enemy vocalist Alissa White-Gluz.

In May 2014, Doyle announced he was teaming up with Alan Robert, bassist of Life of Agony, for a special Halloween 2014 issue of Robert's award-winning Killogy comic series. Robert said that this was a continuation of his original Killogy comic series but issue will surround Doyle's character. The issue will be published by IDW Publishing.[6]

Doyle set out on the 2015 "Abominator tour" in March, hitting the road as an opening act for Mushroomhead through April, with headlining dates continuing after into May. Dr. Chud left the band shortly before the band's first tour "Annihilate America" in 2014, and was replaced by Anthony "Tiny" Biuso Midway through the 2015 tour. Shortly after, "Tiny" stated that he would no longer be playing with the band, and would not continue on the remainder of the tour. A replacement was found immediately: Brandon Pertzborn, the latest tour drummer of Black Flag. "Left Hand" Graham was replaced for the 2015 tour and the band was featuring DieTrich Thrall on bass instead.

On May 12, 2016 it was announced that Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only and Doyle would perform together as "The Original Misfits" for the first time in 33 years. They reunited for two headlining shows in September 2016 at the Riot Fest in Chicago and Denver.[7]

Playing style and equipment

Doyle's guitar playing style mostly consisted heavily of down strokes and power chords during which he used an Ibanez Iceman guitar.

Later, after experimenting with guitars in Kryst the Conqueror, Doyle developed his custom-made brand "Annihilator" guitar. In the 2000s, Doyle collaborated with October Guitars (now spelled "Oktober") to recreate the "Annihilator" along with a signature pickup. But Doyle still uses his own "Annihilators" because Oktober: "don't make them the way that I want".

Doyle playing with Danzig at Wacken Open Air 2013 with his "Annihilator" guitar

These guitars are loaded with a Seymour Duncan Invader pickup, and are strung with Dean Markley strings. Since the mid 90's he has used a Demeter TGP-3 rack preamp, that feeds the power in on an Ampeg SVT bass head. His speaker cabinets are his own design, and have Celestion speakers. His pedalboard has a TC Electronic Chorus/Flanger, an MXR Micro Flanger, Digitech Whammy IV pedal, a Morley Bad Horsie 2 wah, an Ampeg Scrambler, a Vox Time Machine delay. In his amp rack, there is an ISP Decimator, and a Digitech Valve Distortion, Plus Line 6 G50 wireless systems.[8]

Endorsement

Doyle is endorsed by :

  • Ampeg (bass head for his guitar)
  • Dean Markley (bass and guitar strings)
  • Seymour Duncan (Invader guitar pick up)
  • Dunlop (picks and effects pedals)
  • Celestion (guitar speakers)
  • Coffin case (cases)
  • Ernie Ball Musicman (Musicman Basses)
  • Sennheiser (guitar wireless)
  • NewRock boots (vegan boots)
  • HeavyLeather (vegan guitar straps)
  • Pelican (cases)

Discography

Misfits (Glenn Danzig era)

Kryst The Conqueror

Misfits (Michale Graves era)

Gorgeous Frankenstein

Doyle

  • Abominator (July, 2013) – Album
  • Doyle II: As We Die (June, 2017) – Album

Video

  • You Must See It To Believe It !! ! (2010) – DVD (Gorgeous Frankenstein)

References

  1. ↑ Misfits 12 Hits From Hell – FAQ
  2. ↑ The Jerry Only Interview Archived December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ http://vampirefreaks.com/GorgeousFrankenstein
  4. ↑ DANZIG, DOYLE To Perform At 10th Annual NO LOVE PARTY – Nov. 12, 2005 Archived February 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ "DOYLE's 'Abominator' To Receive 'Official' Release This Summer". Blabbermouth.
  6. ↑ DOYLE WOLFGANG VON FRANKENSTEIN To Star In 'Killogy' Comic Book; Animated Series In Development. Blabbermouth.net
  7. ↑ "Misfits' original lineup to reunite for Riot Fest". consequenceofsount.net.
  8. ↑ Hammond, Shawn (October 19, 2013). "Rig Rundown: Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein". Premier Guitar. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
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