Date: Fri 03-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: KIMH

Illustration: C

Location: A-14

Quick Words:

Marilyn-Manson-Sting-security

Full Text:

(interview & show preview of lead singer of band Marilyn Manson)

Marilyn Manson: An Active Imagination Unleashed

(no cuts)

By Shannon Hicks

Marilyn Manson has a cold . Actually, last Monday afternoon, speaking on the

phone from his hotel room in Rhode Island, he (yep, he ) had come down with

the flu, and was chugging down antibiotics by the handful. In between trying

to battle the flu and get some rest, Manson was tuning into whatever talk show

he could find. Danny Bonaduce's is his favorite.

Manson is the lead singer of his eponymously-named band, which has been on

tour non-stop since the release of the quintet's first album, Portrait of An

American Family . After gigs opening for Nine Inch Nails and then giving

Danzig support, the band is now on the road with its Smells Like Children Tour

through November 22, where it may or may not wrap up its rigorous touring

schedule. Who knows, more dates may be added after that. Manson likes being on

the road.

Marilyn Manson (the band) has been selling out shows for the last few months,

and the screaming, spitting, loud, self-mutilating, unstoppable, no holds

barred show is on its way to Connecticut. Fans of all ages are invited to the

performance at Toad's Place next Wednesday (Nov 8). It will be the second time

the band has played the state. With luck, this time around will leave a better

taste in Marilyn's (the man) mouth.

When Marilyn Manson (the band) played The Sting in New Britain - "We played

that club that's right next to a strip club," Marilyn said - on its Portraits

of An American Family Tour, the band ran into some trouble with the security

staff on duty. For whatever reason, spitting has become a huge part of any

Marilyn Manson show.

The music's tough, driving sound and the band itself encourages stage diving,

mosh pits, the whole schmeal... something security guards at most clubs don't

like to deal with. Apparently, it got too out of hand the last time around.

"I remember the security guards in front of the stage got really pissed

because of all the spitting going on," Marilyn recalled. "Security ended up

leaving before the show was finished, so people who were surfing were falling

into the pit and getting hurt.

"[Security] tried to kick my a-- when I got off the stage, and one of them

ended up punching someone who worked with me, and they ended up suing the

club."

The thing is, when Marilyn, Madonna Wayne Gacy (keyboards; nickname "Pogo"),

Twiggy Ramirez (bass), Daisy Berkowitz (guitar) and Ginger Fish (drums) take

the stage, you never know what to expect. Manson has a flair for the dramatic:

in Salt Lake City, the band ripped up a Mormon Bible on stage; they stripped

to the bone in Miami; and more security problems plagued the band in New

Jersey.

Last year, when Jon Stewart's fabulous-to-the-end chat show was being canceled

and the band was on a US tour with Danzig, Stewart invited Marilyn Manson to

perform, knowing they would push the envelope and do something outrageous,

something that would have gotten the show into trouble or off the air anyway.

Marilyn Manson complied by burning the stage.

"Look, whatever happens, happens," Manson said. "Whatever you imagine can

happen on any given night. I don't hold anything back."

This band is Manson's vehicle to lash out against hypocrisies and injustices

he sees taking over the world. His biggest peeve seems to be with parenting

these days, which he sees as being "too hypocritical." People learn best from

their own mistakes, Marilyn preaches, and he and his band should not be judged

solely for their outlandish, frightening looks.

As far as the music is concerned, Willy Wonka has been brought into the 20th

Century with many of Manson's songs. Manson has a strong way of thinking, but

he isn't about to preach his beliefs to his band's followers. Manson is a big

believer in free thinking; he is just looking to share his ideas, not tell

people how they themselves should think.

"A lot of other music is easier to swallow, yes," he admitted. "But there's

nothing really to think about in most of it.

"Everybody needs to find their own message in my songs. These songs may be

socially motivating to others, but I can't give them the message."

Marilyn Manson plays Toad's Place in New Haven on November 8, with Clutch

providing an opening set for the all-ages show. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Contact

the club for tickets at 562-5589.