Following the minor success of Sleepwalker in the United States, Misfits featured a more rock-oriented style than many other Kinks records of the 1970s.

The album also contained the minor hit single "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy", as well as less successful releases "Live Life" and "Black Messiah".

[2] However, during the recording of Sleepwalker, longtime bassist John Dalton quit the band, and was replaced by Andy Pyle.

[3] "In a Foreign Land" (which featured Dalton on bass), specifically, was in the planned running order until late in recording.

[5] Gosling remembered, "We [me and Pyle] rehearsed and held auditions at the Bridge House pub in Canning Town.

In addition, founding drummer Mick Avory also considered leaving, and became a less active participant, leaving Dave Davies's friend Nick Trevisick to drum on three songs and session drummer Clem Cattini to do overdubs.

[8] Follow-up singles "Live Life" and "Black Messiah" (the latter a British-only release), however, failed to make an impact.