Manson has issued a statement about the decision to use a microphone shaped like a gun during his set in San Bernardino, CA, the site of a mass shooting in 2015.
Marilyn Manson used a gun-shaped microphone during his set on Sunday’s Knotfest date in San Bernardino, California, the same day as Devin Kelley shot 26 people in a church in Texas, and of course, San Bernardino was also the site of a terrorist attack in 2015, which left 15 dead.
Manson has issued the below statement (via Variety):
“In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence, this was an act of theater 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.”
Wildly insensitive act of silliness or smart way to make a cogent point? Decide for yourself.
Here's a collection of footage of him with the gun/mike combo:
