Book Review: Picture Book

Misery Obscura: The Photography of Eerie Von (1981-2009)

Children shouldn't play with dead things, but thank God they always have and always will. Some even took snaps of their undead endeavors. Case in pointed devil lock: Eric "Eerie Von" Stellmann, the Lodi (New Jersey) High pal of legendary Misfits-to-be Jerry and Doyle Caiafa who spent much of his time prior to becoming Samhain's bassist amassing a veritable coffinload of spooktacular shots of punk rock's creepiest from the 'Fits to Danzig. Von's evil eye for imagery was already in full glare when Danzig picked him for the Misfits' legendary "cave" shoot in upstate New York. Among other amazements, Misery Obscura includes the original contact sheets with Danzig's handwritten notes. As much a part of the punk rock historical record as Glen E. Friedman's seminal photobook, Fuck You Heroes, Von's photography is a lavish slab of horror rock history accompanied by an informative, unassuming, and frequently hilarious running commentary by the manster behind the lens. Straight from Spook City, USA, this is as close to finding hell in your stocking as you're ever going to get.