The first time I witnessed shock rocker Marilyn Manson live was February 8th of 1997 at Mancuso Hall in Omaha, Nebraska. This was at the height of his controversy as an artist, as he had just released his second album, Antichrist Superstar. Throughout this tour, Manson faced cancellation threats, protesters, and grotesque rumors, among other things. There were maybe five to ten such protesters on hand while us concert attendees waited in line to enter the venue. Many of them were likely there due to the Republican Omaha mayor at the time, Hal Daub, voicing his concerns about the concert a week before the show. Yes, the show sold out by the next day, but not before two of my friends' parents forced them to refund their tickets, because they believed the ridiculous rumors being spread about him - that he: Killed puppies on stage; had his ribs removed so he could perform fellatio on himself; was a devil worshipper; passed drugs out at his concerts; encouraged sex at his shows; etc. Of course these rumors were false - ridiculous to the point of being humorous, but that didn't stop people from spreading them; fearing what they didn't know nor understand; and protesting as a result. As we stood in line, waiting to be let into the venue, we had insults hurled our way, condemnations, as well as snowballs. It was a true wake-up call for me when it came to faux Christians. The show went on as scheduled and ended without any puppies being harmed; any self-fellatio occurring; sexual acts of any kind taking place; more devil worship taking place outside the hall than inside it; etc.
Fast-forward 21.5 years, as I witnessed Marilyn Manson last Saturday night (8/4/18) at Express Live! in Columbus, Ohio. Gone were the protests. Absent were the pre-concert warnings by right-wing politicians. Not only that, the number of goth individuals seemed to decrease from approximately 60% to 10% (and that may even be an exaggeration). All that took place was a summer rock concert. I know, crazy, right? So, what changed? Why was the right so aghast by the presence of Marilyn Manson in their hometown 21.5 years ago, but silent about him today?
It's interesting. Marilyn Manson has always tried to showcase his work and himself as a reflection of society. This was often times shocking during his early years as an artist, especially after the release of Antichrist Superstar. The man played the role of scapegoat for many right-wing ideologues and evangelists. It even reached the point where he was blamed by many such individuals for the Columbine massacre. Yet Manson's peak as a controversial artist came at a time when the Internet was still fairly new; fact-checkers had yet to be employed; 24-hour cable news networks were just starting; and reality television had yet to become the next big wave in the entertainment industry. Fast-forward 21.5 years and it seems as though society has become desensitized to shock. YouTube regularly displays videos which should be titled, "Sh*t You Should Never Do At Home Or Anywhere Else." The 1998 Jim Carrey film, The Truman Show, has become a reality, as it's now the trend to follow people's lives on camera. The leading 24-hour cable news network, Fox News, airs more ridiculous rumors, like the ones which have followed Manson throughout his career, than actual facts. Oh, and a former reality show host, who's alleged to have raped, sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed 20+ women; lies approximately 70% of the time; and has cheated on all three of his wives, including with porn stars named after weather patterns, is now the President of the United States. Given all of these modern-day revelations, it seems almost shocking that Marilyn Manson or any other shock-rock artist was ever shocking. The irony of it all reaches the point of hilarity, for those whom once derided Manson as a stain on America for alleged acts which never took place have voted for and praised a man whom is a serial liar; philanderer; and quite possibly crook. Marilyn Manson, 21.5 years ago, was my wake-up call to the hypocrisy of the Christian right in this country, and quite possibly the most shocking thing of all is the fact that, 21.5 years later, even with forces like the before-mentioned artist trying to show the world of such contradictory beliefs and acts, the hypocrisy is thicker today than it ever was and it's continuing to expand at an exponential pace.
Fast-forward 21.5 years, as I witnessed Marilyn Manson last Saturday night (8/4/18) at Express Live! in Columbus, Ohio. Gone were the protests. Absent were the pre-concert warnings by right-wing politicians. Not only that, the number of goth individuals seemed to decrease from approximately 60% to 10% (and that may even be an exaggeration). All that took place was a summer rock concert. I know, crazy, right? So, what changed? Why was the right so aghast by the presence of Marilyn Manson in their hometown 21.5 years ago, but silent about him today?
It's interesting. Marilyn Manson has always tried to showcase his work and himself as a reflection of society. This was often times shocking during his early years as an artist, especially after the release of Antichrist Superstar. The man played the role of scapegoat for many right-wing ideologues and evangelists. It even reached the point where he was blamed by many such individuals for the Columbine massacre. Yet Manson's peak as a controversial artist came at a time when the Internet was still fairly new; fact-checkers had yet to be employed; 24-hour cable news networks were just starting; and reality television had yet to become the next big wave in the entertainment industry. Fast-forward 21.5 years and it seems as though society has become desensitized to shock. YouTube regularly displays videos which should be titled, "Sh*t You Should Never Do At Home Or Anywhere Else." The 1998 Jim Carrey film, The Truman Show, has become a reality, as it's now the trend to follow people's lives on camera. The leading 24-hour cable news network, Fox News, airs more ridiculous rumors, like the ones which have followed Manson throughout his career, than actual facts. Oh, and a former reality show host, who's alleged to have raped, sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed 20+ women; lies approximately 70% of the time; and has cheated on all three of his wives, including with porn stars named after weather patterns, is now the President of the United States. Given all of these modern-day revelations, it seems almost shocking that Marilyn Manson or any other shock-rock artist was ever shocking. The irony of it all reaches the point of hilarity, for those whom once derided Manson as a stain on America for alleged acts which never took place have voted for and praised a man whom is a serial liar; philanderer; and quite possibly crook. Marilyn Manson, 21.5 years ago, was my wake-up call to the hypocrisy of the Christian right in this country, and quite possibly the most shocking thing of all is the fact that, 21.5 years later, even with forces like the before-mentioned artist trying to show the world of such contradictory beliefs and acts, the hypocrisy is thicker today than it ever was and it's continuing to expand at an exponential pace.
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