Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson is a band based in Hollywood, California that can be described as shock rock, neo-glam rock, and arguably "industrial metal". The lead singer of the band, Brian Warner, also performs under the name Marilyn Manson.

History of the Band

As a band, Marilyn Manson got their start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1989 as Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids. Marilyn Manson's early presentation had a more demented cartoonish style than the dark, brooding style of their later image. The band received little attention outside Florida until they were noticed by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor. Marilyn Manson's first CD, Portrait of an American Family was released on Reznor's Nothing Records label. The only remaining founding members of the band are Marilyn Manson himself (vocals) and Madonna Wayne Gacy (keyboards). Until 1996, the name of each band member was created by combining the first name of a female pop culture icon and the last name of a mass murderer or a serial killer, with Manson's own name being a combination of the names of Marilyn Monroe and cult leader Charles Manson. The members of the band dress in often bizarre costumes, and have developed a devoted fan base both for their music and their sometimes shocking behavior (see also KISS and Alice Cooper).

Related Topics:
Fort Lauderdale - Florida - 1989 - Nine Inch Nails - Trent Reznor - Portrait of an American Family - Nothing Records - Mass murderer - Serial killer - Marilyn Monroe - Charles Manson - KISS - Alice Cooper

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The band's music and perfomances have frequently been called offensive and obscene, and protests and petitions have successfully had the group banned from performing a few shows. Manson often cuts himself with broken glass before his audiences, and has nearly 500 scars covering his body as a result of ritualistically cutting himself. In 1997, the owner of Calgary's Max Bell Centre had Manson's July 25 show cancelled, citing "immorality" and the band's "use of animals on stage." Another concert in Portland was cancelled a few days later due to Manson's reputation, and the venue's inability to get insurance for the gig. That November 6, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management and Restructuring held a public hearing on the effect of violent rock and rap lyrics on kids. Manson supporters claim it was merely another salvo in Joseph Lieberman's declaration of war on the band. The hearing featured the testimony of Raymond Kuntz, of Burlington, North Dakota, who blamed his son's suicide on Antichrist Superstar, which Lieberman denounced as "vile, hateful, nihilistic and damaging."

Related Topics:
Obscene - 1997 - Calgary - July 25 - Portland - November 6 - Joseph Lieberman - Burlington, North Dakota - Suicide - Antichrist Superstar

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Manson is often described as a follower and ordained minister of the Church of Satan. This, however, is not strictly true; he was appointed as honorary Reverend by late founder Anton LaVey. Unlike being an ordained minister, a Reverend of the Church of Satan is one who is revered by the Church for some reason – regardless of their connections to it — while a priest or minister is one who dedicates their life to preaching the religion to others. Nevertheless, some fans still refer to him as the Rev. Marilyn Manson, a title that appears in the credits of Antichrist Superstar.

Related Topics:
Church of Satan - Reverend - Anton LaVey

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On May 16 2001, it was announced on the ReligionToday website that Manson planned to quote the Bible at his next concert, to "balance out" his violent lyrics, "so we can examine the virtues of wonderful Christian stories of disease, murder, adultery, suicide and child sacrifice. Now that seems like entertainment to me."

Related Topics:
May 16 - 2001

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Manson has released Lest We Forget, a greatest hits album including a cover of "Personal Jesus", a Depeche Mode hit. It also contains a bonus DVD with most of the band's music videos, excluding "Tainted Love". Manson has called this album his "farewell" album, but it is not his last album.

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