Did the Columbine Massacre help derail the careers of Marilyn Manson & KMFDM?

Question

First off, let me say that I am aware the real victims of this tragedy were those who were killed or wounded. Still, a part of me always thought that these two acts got a raw deal for being the preferred music of the “Trenchcoat Mafia.” Instead of looking at the parents, the guns shops or school security, it’s always easier to blame the satanic rock stars. Perhaps it’s coincidence but Manson hasn’t done much of anything since 1999 other than alienate his entire band. Also, KMFDM made a series of idiotic decisions around the same time, like changing their name to MDFMK and going to a major label that didn’t know how to market them. They did come out with Tohuvabohu about a month ago, but I have yet to see anyone mention it in here. Unlike Manson, this album should be getting a lot more attention.

Deke – I don’t think what happened in Cincinnati was quite the same thing. That always seemed like more of a concert security issue. Unlike Columbine, I don’t recall anyone blaming The Who for the eleven deaths.

kontrolfreak66 & sylvia – While I wouldn’t call KMFDM mainstream like a Gravity Kills, they weren’t exactly underground Viking Metal either. Their popularity grew quick during the mid-90’s. Juke Joint Jezebel actually received airplay on mainstream alternative radio back then, which would make them more than “just a blip on the radar.” However, I haven’t heard them on any radio station since 1999. The case could be made that Columbine hurt them in terms of exposure to a greater audience.

Spooky - I keep forgetting how young you are. Knowing where you come from, that would be one of the last places I'd want to be during the rampant paranoia of anything "counter-culture."

Sookie - Considering Manson started out as the boogeyman to the conservative right, he had to do a lot of lousy things to lose the support for what he accomplished early on. Yet, he succeeded

Answer 1

I like to pretend that the whole MDFMK thing never happened. Oy.

I don't necessarily think what happened at Columbine hurt KMFDM per se. Honestly, as brilliant as they were (are), they were never really "significant" in the Rock scene. In the Wax Trax record scene, they were gods. But the truth is, mention the band, and people say "Who?" And that was the case even in the time immediately following Columbine.

As for Manson - I think he took a much bigger hit. But I blame him for that. After all, he created his whole image and a large part of his success on the "Woo Hoo!! Look At Me! I'm a **SATANIST!!*** Aren't I scary?" mentality, and pretty much everything he did at that point was shocking. Seriously. I think there was a point where he could have taken his garbage to the curb on trash night, and the world would have been convinced that it was a controversial, satanic activity. :rolls eyes.:

With that said, I think that finding his music in their collection may have damaged his reputation - but again, I honestly feel that he put so much effort into bringing on the shock value, he asked for it. But at the end of the day, they (he) weren't that great of a band, and I think the general public caught on to the fact that they weren't much more than a shock act.


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LMAO at Viking Metal. I don't think they were an insignificant band in any way (One of my favorites to this day, actually!), but like you said - they were no Gravity Kills in terms of "commercial" success.

What I found most ironic about KMFDM's mention in the Trenchcoat Mafia's CD collection is that clearly, the "journalists" didn't actually listen to them, or bother to look up any of the lyrics -- because the kids' actions is pretty much in direct opposition to the band's message.

Answer 2

I understand your theory, but I have to respectfully disagree. I think Manson's career was derailed by none other than Manson himself. The stirred up controversy is what he wanted, he had the world watching him and he couldn't deliver an album that as worth anything. I think the fact that he couldn't really match the great-ness and the success of Antichrist was a big factor...Also, the people that were instrumental in making some of his best albums are now all long gone, maybe Manson under estimated their importance? I honestly think that Manson started believing the people that were telling him that he was untouchable, and that was the end. As far as KMFDM go, they just made some silly decisions in the pursuit of more mainstream exposure. At least that is my theory. I don't think they will ever be a band that recieves tons of recognition, and I think some of their hardcore fans prefer it that way.

I do blame the Columbine Massacre for making my high school years a living hell, though... It was so freaking hard to be a weird kid after that, especially in a small town. God forbid if you were weird and actually owned a trenchcoat (I wore mine one day when it was snowing and they confiscated it and I had to walk around in the snow wearing only a t-shirt)! A couple of friends I were under surveillance for a LONG time after that happened. I guess they thought we were going to pull some copy cat thing..

I thought it was pretty ridiculous that a lot of music that those kids weren't even that into got blamed... It's my understanding that they were more into Rammestein and the likes..

Answer 3

I don't think Columbine ruined their careers any. The way the school and the parents refused to take responsibility was really upsetting. I even read that the 2 kids who shot everyone actually hated Manson's music, but they were in fact fans of KMFDM. However, mainstream music (and parents) have no idea who KMFDM is, so Manson got blamed...it was just easier I guess. All of Manson's fans knew he wasn't to blame, so he didn't lose any fans there.

KMFDM changed their name because of problems with their record label, and I think a few of the significant members left for other projects. As for Manson, alienating his band was just a result of him being a control-freak and having so much power. I still loved "Holy Wood" and even most of "Golden Age Of Grotesque"...but his music did go downhill, especially his recent album. But I don't think Columbine had anything to do with it.

Answer 4

I honestly don't know if it helped to do that, but I'm sure it couldn't have hurt.

Deke brought up several others examples of bands whose music was considered to encourage someone's bad acts and it didn't seem to hurt them in the long run, but I think this case is different. They were and are still held partially responsible for what happened in Colorado, instead of placing the blame on the two who pulled the triggers. They are an easier target.

But you're right about Manson, though. He's done nothing to further his cause - with the public and within the band.

Answer 5

I think Manson was a scapegoat because the shooters were children. If two adults had shot up the school they would have been branded as evil psychopaths but because they were only 15 or so that seems to create a disconnect for some people. They couldn't have been evil they had to be in some way victims themselves and Manson was "out there" enough to be convenient.

Answer 6

The Columbine Massacre had no effect on either:

Manson sucked, and still does suck. He did himself in.

KMFDM, being outside of the mainstream, was barely a "blip on the radar" so to speak. Yes, they were associated briefly with the incident, and Sascha did put out a brief press release. However, Manson seemed to quell any slight heat that KMFDM was expeirencing, and the connection was cut off just as quickly as it began.

Answer 7

It certainly didn't help. The Bible thumpers of the world were already up in arms over Manson, and Columbne just gave them more amo. However, and I'm trying to find the right way to word this, but certain acts, despite their image or sound, still have careers that are very similar to that of the boy bands in that the majority of their fans are one age group, one sex, for one period of time in their lives.

Pre-teen girls grow out of the "oh Johnny is so cute" stage and move on to other things. The same could be said for teenage guys who grow out of the "kill f*ck die and make it bloody" stage as they start preparing for life after high school.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, that while the incidents at Columbine may have affected the careers of the two artists you mentioned, it's also quite likely that their core fan base just moved on to other things with the passing of time.






NP: "Travelling Riverside Blues" - Led Zeppelin

Answer 8

BAH!!

Blaming music for the actions of today's youth is just about the same as blaming Ronald McDonald or The Hamburgler when you get a bad Cheeseburger.

Same as the whole "Gun Violence" issue. People kill people, guns don't. Stress education and responsibility to the youth of today and you'll see a change.

The parents are to blame, poor parenting killed many more people than music or guns ever did.

Answer 9

I see where you're going, but I don't think so.

Altamont didn't derail the Stones' career, and Cincinnatti didn't derail the Who. If anything, it became part of their storied mystique. I think the same will happen with Manson.

EDIT : Both could be construed as security issues, could they not?

And I do seem to remember many people blaming the Who's camp for what happened in Cincy. Maybe I'm getting old.

Answer 10

Probably not any more than The Beatles career after the Manson family murders. You can't kill good music (KMFDM) because of a couple of freaks.