Last night (November 5), Marilyn Manson returned to the stage for the first time since a "terrifying" onstage accident last month left him injured. Now, Manson is taking heat for his latest bit of prop usage, pointing a fake assault rifle at his crowd.
As TMZ reports, Manson used the fake gun/mic holder while performing at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest festival in San Bernardino, CA, Sunday night. The onstage antic came only hours after a mass shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, TX, that left 26 people dead.
Of course, San Bernardino was also the site of a terrorist attack in 2015, which left 15 dead.
You can watch footage of Manson's ill-advised antics over here at TMZ.
UPDATE (11/6, 5:30 p.m. EST): Manson has now released a statement defending his actions. You can find it in full below
In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence this was an act of theatre in an attempt to make a statement about how easily accessible semi-automatic weapons are and how seeing them has become normalized. My art has always been a reaction to popular culture and my way to make people think about the horrible things that happen in this world. My performance was not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity. The prop microphone I used on stage was handed to me with the approval of a police officer. My empathy goes out to anyone who has been affected by the irresponsible and reprehensible misuse of REAL guns.
Most recently, Manson parted ways with bassist Twiggy Ramirez after the former band member was accused of rape. Manson's founding guitarist Daisy Berkowitz also passed away last month.
Manson delivered his Heaven Upside Down LP last month.
As TMZ reports, Manson used the fake gun/mic holder while performing at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest festival in San Bernardino, CA, Sunday night. The onstage antic came only hours after a mass shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, TX, that left 26 people dead.
Of course, San Bernardino was also the site of a terrorist attack in 2015, which left 15 dead.
You can watch footage of Manson's ill-advised antics over here at TMZ.
UPDATE (11/6, 5:30 p.m. EST): Manson has now released a statement defending his actions. You can find it in full below
In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence this was an act of theatre in an attempt to make a statement about how easily accessible semi-automatic weapons are and how seeing them has become normalized. My art has always been a reaction to popular culture and my way to make people think about the horrible things that happen in this world. My performance was not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity. The prop microphone I used on stage was handed to me with the approval of a police officer. My empathy goes out to anyone who has been affected by the irresponsible and reprehensible misuse of REAL guns.
Most recently, Manson parted ways with bassist Twiggy Ramirez after the former band member was accused of rape. Manson's founding guitarist Daisy Berkowitz also passed away last month.
Manson delivered his Heaven Upside Down LP last month.
