I have long maintained my dislike for David Letterman, not simply for the fact that he’s a terrible comedian an awful journalist and has as much charm as an unwelcome genital rash. One person I have had long standing affinity towards however is Marilyn Manson.
I think that Manson has given something worthwhile to popular music in his career which has spanned over fifteen years. From the protégé of Trent Reznor to an admirable artist in his own right. Manson has not always made the best music, with his output declining rapidly after the release of the sublime ‘Holy Wood’. I can personally admit to loving at least four of his albums. It has always been Manson as an entity that exists on the precipice of celebrity that forms the ideal of him which we hold. Is the real reason that so many hate him the fact that he is an articulate and intelligent individual who has a tendency to make a great deal of sense? This could possibly be what causes such conflictive views on the subject.
If an artist’s fanbase consists predominantly of teenage boys, can it be automatically assumed that they are of an inferior value or rank within the confines of the musical hierarchy? Does this necessarily mean that the artist has nothing to offer anyone outside that demographic. Other bands which have been massively popular with teenagers include Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, the list is huge. Does this mean that they also have nothing to offer anyone over the age of 17? If an artist such as Manson, who wilfully invites scorn and criticism, is combined with such a preconception, then it is easy to write him off as a joke, or a fallacy.
Manson has proved over time that this is very much who he is, for to maintain a façade such ass this with such eloquence and honesty would be an unprecedented achievement.
What a lot of people miss is that despite the character, Manson has made a significant mark on the music world. Think of how beautifully his version of ‘I put a spell on you’ worked in Lost Highway, or how before hearing’ The Beautiful People’ 10 million times, the initial listens were something of a revelation. Manson took the best from Glam Rock, Metal and Industrial and created something spellbinding and unique.
He can be accused of many things, but being unoriginal or devoid of vision is not one of them. In a musical environment that’s swamped with mediocrity and shoe gazing bands that really should just try harder, it was so refreshing to hear a new Marilyn Manson song. ‘Arma-Goddam-Muthafukin’-Geddon’ is classic Manson. Big heavy riffs over pounding drums and catchy choruses.
So, why mention Letterman? Well, the other day I was watching associated Manson interviews and I was shocked to discover (a) Bill O’ Reilly being almost tolerant whilst (b) Letterman acted like a child when put face to face with Manson. Twice. Letterman makes the same lame fishing joke that he did with Mr T and proceeded to act like a dumbfounded guppy for the rest of the interview. He only just stopped short of squealing ‘Marilyn’ repeatedly in falsetto while doing a little effeminate dance. Manson is clearly lapping it up. In the later days, Manson returned to find a slightly more tolerant, but equally bemused Letterman. Watch his reaction when Manson tells him about his ‘kids’ it’s priceless.
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