TWIGGY RAMIREZ

Basic Information:

 

Born: Jeordie Osbourne White
Instrument (s): Bass, Guitar
D.O.B: June 20 1971
Birth Place: New Jersey
Name Origin: Twiggy (60's model) + Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker)

 

 

EARLY YEARS

Born June 20 1971 in New Jersey, Jeordie Osbourne White, bassist Twiggy Ramirez was raised with his 3 younger brothers by mother Dana. His mother was a cage dancer for such acts as The Ramones, a band he sights as a heavy influence on his musical upbringing. Although a native New Jersey, Jeordie and his family uprooted to the sunshine state of Florida.

Although predominately recognised as a bassist, Jeordie actually began his musical career playing the guitar from the age of 13. Bands such as Motley Crue, Twisted Sister and British Heavy Metal stalwarts Iron Maiden also bands that influenced his style and listening pallet.

At age 15 Jeordie formed his first band The Ethiopians before in senior years joining thrash outfit Amboog-a-Lard. His role was first as guitarist before switching to bass.The bands popularity saw them gaining a heavy reputation in the flourishing rock scene of Florida’s clubs, and they shared the stage with such heavyweights as Anthrax, The Ramones and Saigon Kick. They were rewarded in their success by winning 5 awards in the local Slammie’s. Jeordie picked up a personal award for best Rhythm Guitarist.

The bands predominant release " A New Hope" (1993) was centred around the theme of George Lucas’ epic space drama Star Wars. But not to be confused as a tribute to the movies, instead the band should be recognised for it’s deeper philosophical musings.

JOINING MANSON

During this time, Jeordie became friends with another emerging Florida band called Marilyn Manson. At the time, the bands place of bassist was taken by Gidget Gein. Still Manson wanted to find a way to work with Jeordie with whom he found an immediate connection and often referred to him as like a brother.

Small side projects such as Mrs Scabtree became their first working foray, before Gidget Gein as finally asked to leave the band during the recording of the bands first commercial album Portrait of An American Family. His drug dependency was seen as destructive and Manson at the time was unable to support his friend and work on the music.

In Dec 1993 Jeordie took up the now vacant bassist position and was christened Twiggy Ramirez, holding with the theme of starlet/killer (Jeordie was named after 60’s model Twiggy and The Night Stalker himself Richard Ramirez). He also began sporting girlie like dresses and the grotesque make up associated with the band.

Twiggy first appeared on the EP "Smells Like Children", before emerging as the predominant part of the creative process on 1996’s Antichrist Superstar. When co founder Dais Berkowitz (Scott Putesky) left, Twiggy became the main musical writer to Manson’s powerful lyrics. Twiggy not only wrote the bass parts but also many of the lead and rhythm guitar parts.

This continued on 1998’s Glam inspired Mechanical Animals. Twiggy was influenced by Bowie, and Queen. Although Zim Zum, then guitarist, was thought to have written all guitar parts, Twiggy again switched between bass and guitar giving the album some of its more haunting aspects.

ROCKY ROAD - DEPARTURE

On 2000’s Holywood Twiggy expanded on his musical role, playing keyboards and adding drumloops – most notably on "Lamb of God".

During 2000’s Ozzfest showing, Twiggy began to move away from the band, seen by then guitarist John 5: "...I thought I started to see Twiggy unhappy around Ozzfest...But I know he is doing well now in A Perfect Circle...And we have Tim Skold on bass so everything’s working out just fine." (TOTAL GUITAR)

His last appearance was in 2002’s Tainted Love video for the Not another Teen Movie soundtrack. The appearance of soon to be bassist Tim Skold in the same video led many fans to speculate that Manson had pushed Twiggy into making his decision so he could replace him with Skold. However Skold was most likely invited to appear in the video as Manson had been working with him on the score to the Resident Evil movie.

Shortly after the video (May 2002) Twiggy left citing a need for change and a growing canyon between his ideas and Manson’s on creative style and the look. He wished to preserve his friendship with Manson rather than fall out over the music.

Dropping the moniker and persona of Twiggy Ramirez (a character he said was created for the band – shoring off the dreadlocks and the dresses), Jeordie went straight into new work. His first stint was to play two live shows with Mondo Generator with Nick Oliveri, former Queens of the Stoneage bassist. He then auditioned for second guitarist on Queens of the Stoneage, but was beaten to the post by Troy Van Leeuwen, formerly of A Perfect Circle. However Jeordie still worked with QOTSA front man Josh Homme on his stoner series album "Desert Sessions".

Jeordie also appeared on the Metallica DVD Some Kind of Monster, auditioning for the legendary metal band. Again he missed out on a placement.

But never deterred and always seeking an outlet Jeordie met with A Perfect Circle drummer Josh Fresse and from there took the mantle of permanent bassist. Although the bands second album "Thirteenth Step" had been laid down, Jeordie did tweek some of the tacks and added some bass parts.

Jeordie also contributed to the bands anti war cover album "eMOTIVE" for the tracks People are People (originally a hit for Depeche Mode). Jeordie also appeared on tour with APC, even gaining the support of Manson and Dita Von Teese at one of the shows.

Continuing to branch out his musical talents, Jeordie began work on his own sideline project – Goon Moon, a stoner rock band, with producer Chris Goss.

In late June 2004, Jeordie was reunited with Trent Reznor and worked on the 2005 release "With Teeth", a comeback for Nine Inch Nails.

As well as playing he assisted in the albums production and joined the band on their world-wide tour.

IN PURSUIT OF MAYHEM - BLOOD BROTHERS REUNITED

In January 2008, the official Marilyn Manson website released a statement to the press announcing the shock departure of Tim Skold from the band and the equally, perhaps moreso, shocking news that Twiggy was returning to the fold, and would appear live on bass for teh 2008 leg of the Rape Of The World tour.

The two friends were interviewed exclusively by mansonusa regarding the reunite. Manson had this to say:

'I got an email from Twiggy while I was off in some foreign land – New Zealand, I think. It was a picture of a dick. I’m very accustomed to him doing that. He likes to show me his dick. I felt like the bit of life that seemed to have been beaten out of him or whatever reasons in the past year. The twinkle in his eye was represented by the twinkle on his dick in the picture. It made me smile and I decided to call him. “We should get together and play some songs.” I said, “Yeah, I want to make a new record. I don’t want any rules, I just want to have some fun. Something new, something different.”'

'All of my best memories are always associated with him. Every story I’ve ever told – when I tell Evan stories about all of the terrible things that I’ve done and how she has the strange ability to care for me and think that those are redeeming qualities. It reminds me that they are. Anybody can be good. Why can’t it be me.

It just made me happy. It wasn’t about the music, it was about friendship. '