Marilyn Manson (band)

Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson performing in 2012
Background information
Origin	Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Genres	Industrial metal alternative metal hard rock gothic rock glam rock shock rock
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Hell, etc. Loma Vista Recordings Cooking Vinyl Interscope Nothing
Associated acts	Mrs. Scabtree Jack Off Jill Nine Inch Nails Danzig Korn Rasputina The Smashing Pumpkins gODHEAD Rammstein Slayer Rob Zombie Alice Cooper Slipknot
Website	www.marilynmanson.com
Members	Marilyn Manson Twiggy Paul Wiley Gil Sharone Daniel Fox Tyler Bates
Past members	Daisy Berkowitz Olivia Newton Bundy Zsa Zsa Speck M.W. (Pogo) Gacy Gidget Gein Sara Lee Lucas Ginger Fish Zim Zum John 5 Tim Sköld Chris Vrenna Fred Sablan

Marilyn Manson is an American rock band formed by singer Marilyn Manson and guitarist Daisy Berkowitz in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1989. Originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids, they gained a local cult following in South Florida in the early 1990s with their theatrical live performances. In 1993, they were the first act signed to Trent Reznor's Nothing Records label. Until 1996, the name of each member was created by combining the first name of a iconic female sex symbol and the last name of an iconic serial killer, for example Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. Their lineup has changed between many of their album releases; the current members of Marilyn Manson are the eponymous lead singer (the only remaining original member), bassist Twiggy Ramirez, guitarists Paul Wiley and Tyler Bates, keyboardist/percussionist Daniel Fox, and drummer Gil Sharone.

In the past, band members dressed in outlandish makeup and costumes, and engaged in intentionally shocking behavior both onstage and off. Their lyrics often received criticism for their anti-religious sentiment and references to sex, violence and drugs, while their live performances were frequently called offensive and obscene. On several occasions, protests and petitions led to the group being blocked from performing, with at least three US states passing legislation banning the group from performing at state-owned venues. They released a number of platinum-selling albums, including Antichrist Superstar (1996) and Mechanical Animals (1998). These albums, along with their highly-stylized music videos and worldwide touring, brought public recognition to Marilyn Manson. In 1999, news media falsely blamed the band for influencing the perpetrators of the Columbine massacre.