interview mm-mirror
Last week, for the first time in a half-decade, a major rock star was banned from playing Calgary. But just who is this person? Who is this person enticing a generation of pre-pubes into black eyeliner and "Kill Your Parents" scrawled on their lunch boxes? Who is this person inciting thousands of Christians to pray outside his concert sites? And why is he doing it? The phenom is Marilyn Manson, the Antichrist Superstar lead of the band named Marilyn Manson, and he says he's Lucifer and Jesus and, really, only being reasonable.
by MIREILLE SILCOTT
Mirror: Your manager said you were out until 10 a.m. How are you feeling?
Marilyn Manson: Fine.
M: Cheery, too, I see. Good. So, first up, are you white power?
MM: White power?
M: Yes, you've been accused of being a white supremacist.
MM: It's strange. You are the first interviewer in North America to ask me that, but no, I'm not. I hate as many black people as I do white. Those kinds of assumptions aggravate me, because I take such effort to make a powerful statement on stage against something like white power. If someone is so ignorant to perceive it as something like that, it's like the biggest insult.
M: But it's automatic. Like, a sign with a little man means "toilet," that Swastika in Marilyn Manson's show means "fascist."
MM: That is irony. That is me drawing links between fascist icons and the icon of the rock 'n' roll star. I am a fascist because I am a rock star, that's what I'm saying.
M: Do your fans understand that?
MM: They understand themselves. That they are not afraid to go against the status quo. They follow me because I give them freedom from the herd, freedom to express themselves. Freedom to reason. And so they have no choice but to listen to me and follow what I say.
M: Are you playing god?
MM: Yes. 
M: But your fans, they all look like clones, they've become a status quo themselves.
MM: Yes, more irony there.
M: Are you yourself part of any organized associations like the Satanic Army? The Kiss Army, perhaps?
MM: I am still a member of the church I went to as a kid, which is Episcopal. I have an honourary membership in the Church of Satan. I have a Blockbuster Video card. I have a library card. I think memberships are as much as you make them. I'm more part of history.
M: You say you are a Christian. Handy stuff for shocking church ladies, that is.
MM: Well, I wouldn't say I'm a Christian, really. I am more spiritual than Christians. I don't see what I do as wrong--they do. I threaten the Christian idea of herd mentality. So they say that I am white power. The Christians say that I kill animals on stage.
M: You do, no?
MM: And they say I rape children on stage. But a lot of the things that I have done on stage--self-mutilation or people spitting on me, has religious symbolism to it. I try to take the role of both Jesus as Lucifer. You know, the temptation and the tempter. The Christians fear me, because I am truly dangerous to them. I am a voice of reason, I am the truth, and that's what they are so afraid of.
M: But you know why, because you do appeal, quite specifically, to teenagers, near-children sometimes.
MM: It's just because I'm childish myself. I don't try to appeal to kids. In fact, some of the intellect, and some of the philosophies that I deal with are on a different level than the younger fans. But I think that's probably good, because it introduces them to something more intelligent than "MMMbop."
M: Does easier the prey, so to speak, mean more of a clean slate?
MM: They are less judgmental, they're more open-minded--I wouldn't look at them as prey, so much.
M: How do you feel about all of the parental mania surrounding you? Should parents be afraid?
MM: Parents should come to the show with their kids, if they're confused.
M: And what will they see?
MM: A very powerful rock 'n' roll show. The biggest danger about any kid seeing a Marilyn Manson concert at an early age is that he will unfortunately not be able to see anything better for as long as he lives.
M: Really, you think you're the best thing going?
MM: I think so.
M: Since you are such an issue right now, I guess people would like to know how you go about your normal days. So, umm, what did you eat for breakfast today?
MM: Uhh, I didn't eat anything yet today. I woke up and I ate, uhh, a bag of Oreos. One of those little snack-sized ones.
M: What are you wearing now?
MM: My underwear.
M: Do you like sex?
MM: Yes, I like sex, if I don't have to cuddle afterwards. Sex can be really impersonal if you want it to be.
M: Are you having sex with someone regularly now?
MM: Not regularly enough.
M: Are you seeing someone?
MM: Yes.
M: Who?
MM: Ha ha ha. A foreigner.
M: A foreigner? I heard you were dating a girl from Montreal.
MM: No, not her, she's not a foreigner.
M: Is there anyone you admire--I mean, other than Charles Manson and all that? Anyone unexpected?
MM: I really admire Florence Henderson. She's very open-minded. I did a show with her called Politically Incorrect, and she came to my defence and was quite understanding. I think if the Brady Bunch mother can understand me, any other mother can.
M: Your mum must wonder how you've gotten the way you are. What are the big things that have driven you to this?
MM: I finally got kicked out of Christian school for stealing money out of girls' purses during prayer. I tried to become a writer and I realized that music was much more permanent. I had a series of bad relationships with girls that drove me to want to express myself in a different way than with relationships. It kind of made me turn off my emotions. I became kind of cold early on. Then I played a show, my first show, and I threw up when I walked off stage. Then I knew I wanted to be a star.
M: Are you having fun now? As a star?
MM:I don't think what I do is ever fun, but it's satisfying.
M:What about the rest of the band? There is so little known about them, and so much about you.
MM: I'm closest to Twiggy [Ramirez, bassist]. We spend most of our time together. Right now it's noon, we're in an L.A. hotel and he hasn't gone to bed yet. I believe he just ordered himself a prostitute. But that's just a guess. I think the band are all having a good time. They are a lot different than me, because they are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy things. I'm far too cynical.
M: Too cynical to enjoy?
MM: To enjoy anything.
M: Have you ever enjoyed anything?
MM: Well, I'm fulfilled by things, but I don't necessarily enjoy them. I think happiness is a psychological problem.
M: Really? How's that?
MM: I think anyone that's truly happy has something wrong with them. I feel that happiness is a condition gone undiagnosed by psychiatrists.
M: How very dark of you.
MM: Yes, I think people should concentrate their efforts on stopping some songs other than mine.
M: Like?
MM: Like "Shiny Happy People."
M: Why?
MM: Because it's unrealistic. And that is truly dark.
Marilyn Manson play the Medley (the Armoury in Cote-des-Neiges, where the band was supposed to play, has bowed out for army-propriety reasons) on Saturday, Aug. 2. 8pm. Powerman 5000 open. SOLD OUT!
kill your god!
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kill your god!