Manson in Q and A with Time - May 25th 2009

Q&A: Marilyn Manson - TIME
By Lauren E. Bohn

Marilyn Manson is not exactly a conformist. From his music — a meat-grinder full of electronica, metal and gothic grotesquerie — to his personal traits (due to his nocturnal habits, he was only available to speak to TIME after midnight E.S.T.) he's managed to confound his critics or his fans alike. Is he the satanic pied piper of angst-ridden teen nihilists? Or a sly, self-promoting performance artist? Either way, he's long been a lightning-rod for controversy, only fueled by his sold-out tours and multiplatinum-selling albums. Now, after taking a yearlong absence from an industry he'd grown to loathe, Manson is back with his seventh album, The High End of Low. He talked to TIME about the economic crisis, the contents of his makeup bag and how living alone for the first time in his life has made him a better person. Or at least, a better Marilyn Manson.

Where have you been?

Well, I thought I was going to give up music. I wanted to put all my creative energy into painting and filmmaking. I felt smothered and controlled by not only my contract and record label, but just the way that you have to deal with being objectified as a product.

How does this new album fit into the evolution of Marilyn Manson?

Track two is called Pretty as a Swastika. It's something I said to a girl because of her complexion — with black hair, red lips and pale skin. I mean, it was a complex and poetic comment that soon led to intercourse, so I felt no reason for it to be seen as confusing, hateful and destructive. The record label [told me], take it off the album. Rather than do so, I decided to produce it on the inside of the sleeve with a different name, so it'll be sold in Wal-Mart or wherever stores sell guns but are afraid to deal with lyrics. So, I put Pretty as a ($) because all of their motivations are based on money.

How clever.

I'm not saying I'm doing this for nothing. But I've lost everything — I've lost friends, I've lost love. I've lost money. And this record is really about loss. The last album had a lot of romantic, Shakespearean ideals attached to the music, like "the world doesn't understand us, let's die together." Now? This record is more about: If you say you'll be with me until I die, and then you change your mind, you should run very fast. Because I'll kill you.

What is a typical day in the life of Marilyn Manson? Many would place their bets on your emerging from a bat-cave at dusk. What's the deal?

You picked a great day to ask me, because if you asked me what a typical day was on any other day, I think you'd find it to be completely made up. But I'll tell you. I just moved out of my house, so I'm staying at the Sunset Marquis Hotel — very famous for a lot of things. Including now the things I've done here.

Such as?

Well, last night I made a video for Pretty as a Swastika and it included my shaving the pubic hair of my special lady friend.

Does that fall in line with a perceived need to shock people? Honestly, is that a question that runs through your head? "How am I going to shock people?"

Yeah, I understand that it seems like I'm trying too hard. Everything I do and say and how I live my life is me being Marilyn Manson. I live my life like there's no tomorrow. That's the best way to have hope for the future. When you have nothing to lose, because you lost it all.

You think you've lost it all? That's so dramatic.

Well, I've been sued. And lost all my money. And then got it back. And I've lost love. I got married and then got divorced. That doesn't mean I can't have fun. I just want to be me. If I were in a room full of people, I'd rather be the person who is more interesting than the one who is wallpaper.

What is the message you stand for? Your place in the world?

When you asked what I've been doing for the past year — besides making this record, I was living alone for the first time since I've moved out of my parents' home as a teenager. During the course of writing this record, I did that. That transformation made me understand the importance of change — that I want to be a better person, a better version of me. That's not talking about ethics or morality. I just want to be the best me there is and not be ashamed of what I am.

Did you vote in the presidential election?

I did. And I'm very proud to say I did for the first time in my life.

And for whom, might I ask?

I voted for the President. Of course.

What do you make of the current economic situation? If at all, how do you see your image reflected in the crisis?

I address it directly on my album. And I've always done, in my live show, a fascist parody commentary on rock and roll — all the symbolism between capitalism and Nazism being so similar. I'm not a role model. I'm a role villain. And role villains need to f--- s--- up. And they have to take some bullets in the back and take some blame. That's the choice that I've made a long time ago.

I don't want to provoke any more self-loathing, but what do you most dislike about yourself?

I often obsess so much about things that I can't get done, that I ruin other things. I think at some point, some sort of scientist sent me out to space in a time machine and created some spectacular device to put inside my head and I just don't have the manual.

Will there ever be a Marilyn Manson, Jr.?

I think I'm still Marilyn Manson, Jr. Someday when I manage to finally figure out how to take care of myself, then I'll consider taking care of someone else.

What's your favorite item in your makeup bag?

Black eyeliner. It's standard. It's all you need. It just makes the world a better place.

Manson speaks about Arma-geddon video to Noise Creep - May 25th 2009

Manson recently spoke with Noise Creep about the video for Armagoddamnmotherfuckingeddon:

Marilyn Manson 'Arma-Goddamn-Motherf-ckin-Geddon' -- Video

With a song titled 'Arma-Goddamn-Motherf-ckin-Geddon,' it would appear that the last thing controversial rocker Marilyn Manson is doing is placating his record company and a playing nicey-nice with a mainstream outlet like MTV. Despite the profanity-laden lyrics, Manson's longtime label Interscope chose the crunchy yet hooky tune as the lead video track. "The record company takes what I do and sells it, and I have to separate myself from it now," Manson, who hasn't gone soft, told Noisecreep. "I filmed this video with around 30 or 40 cameras, but what appears in the video is [footage from] only two cameras, and mostly from one main camera. But my idea was to film everything. I was pandering to the idea that a record company is going to release a song into the world that is titled 'Arma-Goddamn-f-ckin-Geddon.'"

Manson also claimed that the song, inspired by an instance where he was driving to the studio and witnessed a 'ruckus' with the police, has a very intentional "Adam Ant/Gary Glitter throwback vibe" in what the singer describes as a "new" way, thanks in no small part to his recent reunion with bassist/guitarist and friend Twiggy Ramirez. "Twiggy came up with what he referred to as a Spaghetti Western slide guitar part," Manson recalled. He also said, "With this video, I didn't want put heart and soul into it and have the pieces that mattered most to me be shaved away and censored. I specifically intended for it to fit within a category, with the colors and lyrics. I had 30 cameras filming, not in documentary sense, but in a [Federico] Fellini sense. I want to release the 30-camera angle version, too."

Manson also acknowledged the inherent comedy of the song, which contains a whole lot of 'f' bombs, which require censoring in exchange for airplay. "People say it'd be so great if it didn't have so many f-cks in it," Manson commented. "It would be great? Who says, 'I want less f-cks?' No one says that. No one is f-ckless." Manson's new album, 'The High End of Low,' is in stores May 26.

Manson and Twiggy to appear in London May 25th - May 16th 2009

Manson and Twiggy will be making an in store appearance at london's HMV store for signings. Here is the email from polydor records:

Marilyn Manson HMV Instore - Win Copies of Album & Single

Marilyn Manson will be appearing in person with bandmate Twiggy Ramirez on Thurs 28th May at 6pm for an exclusive instore signing at HMV Oxford Street, London.

We have 10 pairs of wristbands up for grabs for guaranteed entry to the event.

What's more, you could also win a copy of new album 'The High End Of Low' (deluxe 2 disc version) and a limited 7" Picture Disc Vinyl of 'Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin-Geddon' for you to get signed on the day.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is click here.

PLEASE NOTE: You can still go to the event if you aren't successful here - wristbands will be distributed from 9am on Thurs 28th May on a first come, first served basis from HMV, 150 Oxford Street,London.

Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon video - May 15th 2009

The long awaited premiere of Manson's video for the track Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon has finally made it. Originally scheduled to appear of the UK's Channel 4, the video has been a subject of much controversy as speculation arose as to why it was delayed.

Initially premiered on NME's website, that version comes highly censored.

Tou counter this, the official Marilyn Manson website has made the full uncensored video available to view.

For the censored NME version: http://www.nme.com/news/marilyn-manson/44665

For the uncensored version: http://www.marilynmanson.com/

 

High End Of Low promotional website launched - May 8th 2009

UK Domain webpage http://www.thehighendoflow.co.uk is now live as a flash advertisment for The High End of Low and Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon. The page lists the release date for the latter as May 18th, and the album as May 25th.

There is also a link to the Facebook application widget, which apparently allows you to preview interactive parts of the new album and contains lyrics. Only Facebook members can access the application.

The page also contains one new image of Marilyn Manson, and portions of the lyrics to Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin'-Geddon.

The High End Of Low pre-order on itunes - May 8th 2009

The High End Of Low is now available for pre-order from the US itunes store.

The album with come with bonus track 'Fifteen' and those who pre-order will also get the track Into the Fire (Alternate Version).

Click here to be taken to the pre order page.