Metro/State
The Pantagraph
Monday, April 7, 1997

Manson’s nightmare

was complete

By Karen Strawn
Special to The Pantagraph

   The Marilyn Manson concert Sunday night at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena went way beyond the limits of normalcy as Manson, a.k.a. Brian Warner, delivered his agenda of hate, anger and unresolved nightmarish experiences of childhood.

   Beating his chest and screaming in a voice that came from deep within, Manson performed for a crowd of more than 5,600 with a combination of industrial-techno-metal music and stage theatrics.

   The crowd reacted with loud enthusiasm every time Manson did or said something that represented rebellion against Christianity or authority.

   With a message to the effect of “we will no longer be oppressed by Christianity, police or Illinois’ normalcy,” Manson raised the crowd’s adrenaline with a song titled “Irresponsible Hate Anthem.”

   Manson came on stage at 9p.m. to a crowd drooling with anticipation. He wore some kind of garter-belt/jock-strap contraption that looked like something a closet transvestite would wear when no one else is looking.

   An image of a stained-glass window of Jesus with his hands held out served as a backdrop for a majority of Manson’s performance.

   Manson addressed the audience for the first time about 20 minutes into his show. “There’s a lot of people out there praying for you,” he said in a voice that sounded different from the voice he was singing with. “A lot of people didn’t want you to come, I’m proud of you motherf------- for showing up.”

   Clearly the band’s only spokesperson, Manson didn’t interact with his band members once during the entire show. There was no expression from guitarist Twiggy Ramirez, except one time he looked at his watch. The keyboard player, Madonna Wayne Gacy, had expression but never said a word. The other guitarist wore garter belts with Army boots and played without exhaustion. The drummer was not seen on stage but could be heard.

   New York City opening act VY Loose performed for about 35 minutes with songs from their album “Year Of The Rat.” The lead singer was female with a great voice. The lyrics were consistent with Manson’s nightmare.

   Amid remnants of torn and burned Bibles in the arena entrance, security guards checked each person as they came through the doors. No spikes or chains were allowed.

   Children’s Christian music such as “I’m In The Lord’s Army,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and “Be Careful Little Eyes What You See: played for those arriving.

   The show had the same morbid-magnet effect as a gruesome car wreck that everybody guiltily peers at as they drive by. A curiosity of the abnormal and obscene catches our attention and we can’t help but look over and gape at the destruction.

   One scary illusion occurred as Manson had on very tall metal stilts with long arm stilts wrapped around his wrists and he “crawled” around the stage looking like a kidnapping creature as he sang the lyrics to his song “Smells Like Children.”