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Since the early 1990's, Marilyn Manson has been pushing societal norms and boundaries of freedom of expression with his controversial "shock rock" antics. Mainstream society often finds him strange due to his unconventional methods, such as wearing women's clothing, heavy facial makeup, and jewelry.
His success can be attributed not only to his entertainment abilities, but also to the incredible marketing campaign organized to promote himself and his wild actions. His actions provide the media with a convenient target to point fingers at and a figure to assign responsibility for all of society's issues.
He has garnered a large following since the 1990s and continues to do so today as the self-proclaimed Anti-Christ Marilyn Manson.
His fans empathize with his background, relate to his experiences, and are well-acquainted with rejection from society.
Marilyn Manson has a following that is typically linked with the Gothic or "Goth" subculture. While Manson followers and members of the Goth community may appear similar on the surface, true Goths often dismiss Manson fans as "Spooks" or "Mall Goths", not authentic followers of the Gothic movement.
The media has capitalized on these similarities and associated Manson's music with acts of violence against society.
"It was after the Columbine incident when the media started consistently labeling Marilyn Manson as 'goth rock' even though Manson's music did not have much connection to gothic music or sub-culture." (Marilyn, Wikipedia)
In this essay, we will explore the influences that have molded Marilyn Manson's image, his profound effect on a particular subculture, and the question of whether his fans are genuinely part of the Gothic community.
Marilyn Manson, originally known as Brian Warner, is a fusion of the names Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson, representing opposing forces in society.
(source: Marilyn, MTVe.com)
"Brian Warner, who created the band in 1989, used his apparent business acumen and talent for sparking controversy to make them successful.
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By incorporating androgyny, satanic imagery, and themes of rebellion and mortality, Manson unsettled onlookers and demonstrated that provocative rock music was still a popular form of entertainment." (Marilyn, Answers.com)
Originally formed in South Florida as a small industrial Goth band, Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids, consisting of Marilyn Manson and four other musicians, caught the attention of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails (NIN) in 1990. Impressed with their performance, Reznor offered them a contract with his new label "Nothing" and a spot on NIN's 1994 tours. Through Reznor's help, Manson had the opportunity to meet Dr. Anton Szandor LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, who named Manson as a priest of the Church of Satan, granting him the title of Reverend.
Manson's interest in Satanism started in his youth when he spent time at his grandparent's house. While exploring his grandfather's basement with a friend, they discovered that his grandfather, Jack Warner, was a cross-dresser who used explicit pornographic material like bestiality. This early exposure to perversity clashed with the Christian beliefs enforced upon Manson at his Episcopalian Christian school.
Despite being teased and ridiculed, he always felt there was something unique about him. Rejected by his peers, he grew to despise his school and question everything he was taught. Turning to music for solace, he discovered his true identity and transformed into the type of person he once feared as a youth. (Long, Manson and Strauss)
During his teenage years in public school, Manson was exposed to influences such as sex, drugs, rock music, and the occult, which he embraced. This environment led him to meet like-minded individuals and explore his sexuality with women. As a result of his experiences at school and with sexuality, Manson began to target those who had mistreated him, engaging in activities such as experimenting with black magic, developing a drug addiction, and stealing from stores as a display of his disdain for mainstream society. All of these experiences shaped Brian Warner into the persona of Marilyn Manson.
As Manson's reputation grew, so did the controversy surrounding him and his actions. Civil rights groups protested his concerts and his music was targeted by religious, particularly Christian, groups. Manson used his marketing genius to create this image. During the height of this turmoil, Manson was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and had a bestselling autobiography titled The Long Hard Road Out of Hell.
"Bill of Rights: Congress cannot pass laws that establish a religion, prevent people from practicing their religion freely, limit freedom of speech or the press, or restrict the right to peacefully assemble and petition the government for grievances."
Manson, along with many other artists, strongly exercises their first amendment right to free speech in order to communicate their message. This message primarily resonates with younger generations who connect with Manson's songs. Younger audiences are more receptive to his attitude and beliefs, in part because teenagers are particularly susceptible to outside influence and easily swayed. His ability to communicate and connect through music has helped him build a devoted following of disillusioned teenagers, also referred to as "Mansonites."
"Mansonite refers to individuals who identify with the Goth subculture without fully understanding its essence. These "overnight Goths" or Spooky Kids typically adopt aspects of the Goth aesthetic, such as black clothing and heavy eyeliner, and eagerly declare themselves as part of the Goth community." (Mansonite, Wikipedia.com)
The older generation often assumes that Manson's followers are drawn to his controversial behavior. However, without the media attention focusing on Manson and his actions, there wouldn't be as much debate surrounding his beliefs or potential influence on rebellious teenagers. The portrayal of Manson as an outcast resonates with teens who also feel marginalized. Manson's unique style of dress and controversial persona, such as pretending to be homosexual, captures the attention of easily bored teenagers seeking entertainment through extreme behaviors.
The Emergence of "Spooky Kids" goth (g th) n.
According to Dictionary.com, goth rock is a genre of rock music known for its dark and melancholic themes, often portrayed through gloomy imagery by performers or fans.
According to Wikipedia.com, Mall Goth or Spooky Kid is a derogatory term used to describe individuals who are perceived as not authentic Goths, with their Gothic style being considered superficial, fake, or reliant on purchasing Goth clothing from malls. Their musical preferences are often limited to mallcore/nu-metal genres, with some individuals who listen to bands like Marilyn Manson, Korn, and Slipknot being accused of being mall goths. Hot is a popular shopping destination for many mall goths.
Real Goths consider Mansonites as "posers" who feign knowledge of a specific subculture but actually only understand a few key buzzwords and fashion styles to emulate.
Defining Goth:
Goth, derived from Gothic, is often linked to individuals who don black or blood-red attire. These garments, commonly crafted from leather, lace, or fishnet, are embellished with spikes, studs, or other metallic accents. Both men and women may also don metallic, dark, or black makeup. In certain cases, individuals may opt for permanent body alterations like extensive tattoos, tongue bifurcation, or even vampire fangs implants.
In the Goth scene, individuals perceive the concept of Goth as a way to express their individuality. They participate in it because it feels comfortable and natural, not because they are trying to be something they are not. Therefore, Goth is a state of mind rather than a trend. It is not about being trendy or cool, but rather about exuding a cool and detached demeanor on the surface. There is an inner tranquility and calmness associated with Goth, as well as a respect for giving and receiving space for others to be true to themselves. This respect is especially important when interacting with fellow Goths. (Goth, BBC)
Following an in-depth examination of the specific subculture, defining Goth proves to be a challenging task. It remains unclear and subject to varying interpretations. Those who emulate Marilyn Manson may be classified as Goth if their actions or attire reflect a pursuit of individuality. However, individuals who merely conform to the norms of the subculture without genuine intentions would not fall under the category of Goth, as stated above.
Marilyn Manson: A Controversial Icon and His Influence. (2016, Jul 22). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/marilyn-manson-and-his-impact-on-sub-culture-essay
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