Doyle: A man of monstrous riffs and few words

Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein — the former Misfits and Gorgeous Frankenstein guitarist, and longstanding Danzig cohort, is a man of monstrous riffs and few words. Before taking the stage tonight (Sat., Aug. 23), at the Masquerade, alongside Alex Wolfman Story (vocals), Dr. Chud (drums), and Left Hand Graham (bass), supporting, Abominator, the horror punk icon weighed in on the new songs, the Misfits, and pressing the “fuck you” button.

Abominator has been around since last year. Now that you’ve had a chance to ruminate on it, do you see a concept behind the record?

No, there’s no concept. We pretty much write the music first, so whatever my hand writes, we go with it. We’re not trying to sound like anyone else, or imitate anyone. I don’t listen to music at all when I’m writing. Anytime you listen to a record when you’re writing you’re wasting time by not writing.

“Valley of Shadows” is the lead single. Do any of the other songs from the album resonate with you more than the others?

I think they’re all great, and I don’t know if I could pick one. I like “Bloodstains” a lot, I like “Abominator.” I think they’re all good, and I don’t think there’s any filler on this record or the next one that’s coming out either.

You have a couple of records ready to go, correct?

We have to do the drums on the second one, title it, do the artwork, and then we’ll be done with that one. We’re getting there. For the third album, we have about four or five songs that are keepers, but we have a few others that we still need to Frankenstein apart and rework, and write a bunch of new stuff.

Why did you stop playing with the Misfits?

A lot of reasons. Different things. You name it.

Do you not want to talk about the Misfits?

We can talk about the Misfits, but that question is done.

OK. Well, when the Misfits were going strong in the early ‘80s, there was a big step that happened between the albums Walk Among Us and Earth A.D. Songs like “Death Comes Ripping,” “Green Hell,” and “Demonomia,” are heavier and darker and a lot faster than anything that came before them. Did you see the group as contemporaries with the hardcore bands of the era, such as Black Flag or Minor Threat?

Naw. I thought that we were above them. We were all around at the same time, and we were all playing the same venues, the same circuits, and when people talked about the scene back then they mentioned all of these bands. We were the only ones that actually had an image. Those other bands just kind of wore whatever the fuck they had on that day and played. We were more ... different.

That image is something that you’ve cultivated.

Yes.

You’re in excellent physical condition. I’m not sure how old you are, but you’ve been putting out records since the early ‘80s. Do you have a strict workout regiment?

Yeah, I’ve been lifting weights for 65 years straight! I’m 72 years old now.

Ok, now, I know you’re not that old.

Alright, alright.

Is there a difference between the Doyle that I see stomping around on stage vs. the Doyle that I might encounter during day-to-day life?

Yeah, it’s like Clark Kent and Superman. Or Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk. That’s what happens. My girlfriend has it too. We’re both sweethearts until we step on the stage. That’s when we want to kill you. It’s like Pushing a button. The fuck you button is on when I’m playing.

Doyle plays the Masquerade (Hell) tonight (Sat., Aug. 23), with Ashylus, Night Terrors, and Fifty Two Ways. $15. 7 p.m. Masquerade. 695 North Ave. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com.