Guns, God and Government Tour

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Guns, God and Government
Tour by Marilyn Manson
Associated album Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
Start date October 27, 2000
End date September 2, 2001
Shows 109 (planned)
107 (completed)
Marilyn Manson tour chronology
Rock Is Dead Tour
(1999)		 Guns, God and Government
(2000-2001)		 Grotesk Burlesk Tour
(2003)

Guns, God and Government was a worldwide arena tour by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was the eighth tour the band embarked upon and the fourth to span over multiple legs. It was launched 17 days ahead in support of their fourth full-length studio album, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death), which was released on November 14, 2001 in the US and Australia.[1][2] Beginning on October 27, 2000 and lasting until September 2, 2001, the tour included six legs spanning Eurasia, Japan and North America with a total of 107 completed shows out of 109 planned.[1]

The contentious Denver show, during the Ozzfest leg of the Guns, God and Government Tour,[3] was also featured during Marilyn Manson's interview in Michael Moore's 2002 documentary film Bowling for Columbine.[4]

Contents

Performance and show themes [edit]

Typical of the band, the concerts were extremely theatrical.[2] An average show lasted for 1 hour and 40 minutes and the sets were designed with communist, religious and "Celebritarian" imagery in mind.[5][6]

Manson has several costume changes throughout the sets ranging from a Bishop's dalmatic and mitre (often confused for Papal regalia), a costume made from taxidermied animal anatomies (i.e. an epaulette made from a horse's tail, a shirt made from skinned goat heads and ostrich spines), an elaborate Roman legionary-style Imperial galea, an Allgemeine SS-style peaked police cap, his signature black leather corset, g-string and garter stocking ensemble, a black-and-white fur coat and a giant rising conical skirt that lifts the singer 12 meters (40 feet) into the air.[2][7][8]

When being introduced, Manson was pulled onstage on a steampunk variation of a Roman chariot by two naked girls, in a bigae formation, wearing stylized Roman horse masks. After dismounting from the chariot wearing a skirted version of his signature black leather bondage ensemble, replete with the Imperial gallic, a burst of heavy fireworks would signal the beginning of the first song.[8]

During performances of "The Love Song," Manson would wear the Bishop's outfit, which would then be discarded to reveal his signature black leather bondage ensemble. During performances of "Valentine's Day," Manson would perform, wearing the same Bishop's attire, kneeled behind a prayer kneeler that is bookended with two severed heads bearing his own likeness.

During some shows, there would be two dancers onstage. The podium that was used in previous tours during performances of "Antichrist Superstar" also returned, this time sporting a new design of a crucifix made of guns, instead of the lightning bolt symbol previously used. During the February 24, 2001 show in Moscow, Russia, two Russian military guards were asked to stand on each side of the podium as Manson sang "The Love Song", replete with his Allgemeine SS-style peaked police cap.[9]

In performances of "Cruci-Fiction in Space", Manson would be lifted 12 meters (40 feet) into the air on a platform hidden by the giant conical skirt, much like in the "Disposable Teens" video. Images would often be displayed in the stage backdrop, including a parody of the Hollywood Sign rewritten as "Holy Wood", the cover for the "Disposable Teens" single, and a scorched American flag.[10]

Incidences [edit]

The inaugural North American leg of the Guns, God and Government Tour suffered two separate cancellations.[11] On November 25, 2000, during the band's performance at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, Marilyn Manson drummer Ginger Fish suffered a broken collarbone after falling from his drum riser during the band's stage-trashing finale. The drummer was escorted to hospital by the band's manager where he was treated and released. According to an Interscope spokesperson, the band is not expected to miss any dates due to the injury and that Fish will play with his injured arm in a sling.[12] However, on December 5, 2000, the band cancelled their scheduled performance, at the Toledo Sports Arena in Toledo, Ohio, ten minutes before the doors opened due to Fish reaggravating his injured collarbone.[11]

The band was also forced to cancel their scheduled performance at the Omaha Civic Auditorium on December 12, 2000 after a storm inundated Peoria, Illinois, where the band performed on December 11, 2000 at the Peoria Civic Center, with 9 inches (23 cm) of snow and blizzard-condition winds, preventing the band from being able to travel.[11]

Protests and controversy [edit]

Typical of the band, their shows drew numerous protesters and resistance from civic and church leaders as well as other elements of local communities.

On November 19, 2000, Christian activists unsuccessfully attempted to have the band's performance at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York cancelled. Thus, the show was attended by demonstrators who harassed concert-goers waiting in line by shouting and chanting "Why do you follow the devil?" The city was forced to send a number of policemen, some on horseback, to monitor the situation. Clips from the show were made available on the band's official website (though it is no longer present).[13]

Marilyn Manson's performance in Denver, Colorado on June 22, 2001 at the Mile High Stadium also drew attention from the national news media.[3][14] The event was part of their commitments with the heavy metal festival tour Ozzfest and marked the band's first performance in the state since the Columbine High School massacre in nearby Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999.[3][14] The band was initially blamed for inciting shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold into killing their classmates, though these reports would later be proven to be false.[3][14] The band initially pulled out due to scheduling conflicts, however, the group later altered their plans in order to accommodate the Denver date.[14] The band met heavy resistance from conservative groups and the performer received numerous death threats and calls to skip the date.[15][16] A group of church leaders and families related to the Columbine tragedy formed an organization specifically to oppose their show called 'Citizens for Peace and Respect', which drew the support of Colorado governor Bill Owens (R-Colo) and representative Tom Tancredo (R-Colo). The group held a rally outside the Mile High Stadium where organizer, youth pastor Jason Janz, delivered a speech stating, "If Marilyn Manson can walk into our town, promote hate, violence, suicide, death, drug use and Columbine-like behavior, I can say, 'Not without a fight you can't.'" Janz further said, "We don't think Manson caused Columbine, but he encourages and legitimizes Columbine-like behavior."[3][14][17] Marilyn Manson responded to the assertions of 'Citizens for Peace and Respect' by issuing a statement saying,

“ I am truly amazed that after all this time, religious groups still need to attack entertainment and use these tragedies as a pitiful excuse for their own self-serving publicity. In response to their protests, I will provide a show where I balance my songs with a wholesome Bible reading. This way, fans will not only hear my so-called, 'violent' point of view, but we can also examine the virtues of wonderful 'Christian' stories of disease, murder, adultery, suicide and child sacrifice. Now that seems like 'entertainment' to me. ”

—Marilyn Manson[17][18]

A group of Marilyn Manson supporters also responded to 'Citizens for Peace and Respect' by forming an organization called 'Citizens for the Protection of the Right to Free Speech'.[3] The group held a rally in front of the Colorado State Capitol where organizer Carrieanne Andrews, a mother of three, stated that "We just wanted to show that Jason Janz does not speak for our entire community" and that they resented "being told how to be good parents."[3] The Denver show would later provide the backdrop for Manson's landmark interview on America's climate of fear and culture of gun violence in Michael Moore's 2002 documentary Bowling for Columbine. When Moore asked what he would have said if he had the opportunity to speak to the students at Columbine, he replied, "I wouldn't say a single word. I would listen to what they have to say and that's what no one did."[4]

Another incident took place leading up to The Gig On The Green festival on August 25, 2001 in Glasgow, Scotland. Members of the Glasgow community were calling for Marilyn Manson's performance at the festival to be boycotted.[19] Beth Nimmo, the mother of the Columbine killer's first victim, Rachel Scott, joined in the protests and told Scottish tabloid newspaper Daily Record on August 8, 2001, "I don't doubt that his kind of music definitely affects young people and can desensitize them. People need to be strong enough not to listen to it. There is nothing entertaining about real violence. It has real consequences and brings nothing but destruction and pain."[19] In a separate incident, a Catholic Charismatic Renewal group protested in early August 2001 at the Glasgow city centre, where the Glasgow City Council were deciding on the final licencing application for Gig On The Green. This was due the inclusion of both Eminem and Marilyn Manson on the bill. Both attempts failed.[19]

Lawsuits [edit]

In a civil battery suit, David Diaz, a security officer from a concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on October 27, 2000, sued for $75,000 in a Minneapolis federal court.[20][21] The federal court jury found in Manson's favor.[22]

In a civil suit presented by Oakland County, Michigan, Manson was charged with sexual misconduct against another security officer, Joshua Keasler, during a concert in Clarkston, Michigan, on July 30, 2001. Oakland County originally filed assault and battery and criminal sexual misconduct charges,[23] but the judge reduced the latter charge to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.[24] Manson pleaded no contest to the reduced charges, paid a $4,000 fine,[25] and later settled the lawsuit under undisclosed terms.[26]

Arrests [edit]

On February 5, 2001, Marilyn Manson was arrested by the Italian police following the band's performance at the Palaghiaccio in Marino, Italy in relation to the controversy surrounding the Milan court case of the stabbing death of a nun by two girls.[27] Following a police raid on the home of the two suspects, Italian police uncovered images of crucifixes, pentagrams and Marilyn Manson lyrics.[27] The band leader, however, was let go due to a lack of evidence that the perpetrators were inspired by the group's music to carry out their actions.[27]

The next day, Manson was arrested again following the group's show at the Palamalaguti in Bologna, Italy.[27] This time, the singer was charged with public indecency relating to the group's June 20, 1999 performance at the Heineken Jammin' Festival in Imola, Italy during their Rock Is Dead Tour two years prior.[27]

Setlist [edit]

Though minor changes were made to the setlist throughout the tour, these were the typical setlists for headline shows and festivals (where the band had less time to play) respectively.

Lineup [edit]

Marilyn Manson
John 5 performing live

Reception [edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Los Angeles Times 2/4 stars [29]

UK magazine Kerrang! praised "[the Guns, God and Government Tour,] honed by the best part of four months playing the enormodromes of America, is the greatest spectacle this side of a New Year's fireworks display [...] this is rock n' roll reinvented as grand theatre."[7] Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times, however, found himself unimpressed with the "tired sound and cheap theatrics" of this tour, commenting, "Manson can go on teasing his fan base with his Grand Guignol circus show, but it's hard to imagine in the age of Eminem and other hard-core rappers that he is still even in the Top 10 on parents' most-feared list. That makes him seem severely dated--and he doesn't do much to correct the impression. For someone with the ambition and possibly the talent to be the new David Bowie, Manson appears resolved to settling for the new Alice Cooper. Manson is a smart, articulate, likable guy. He's too talented to be wasting his time chasing the ghost of Alice Cooper."[29][30]

Broadcasts & Recordings [edit]

Two concert films depicting the worldwide tour were recorded. The Guns, God and Government DVD was released on October 29, 2002 by Eagle Rock Entertainment and features live concert footage culled from performances in Los Angeles, Europe, Russia and Japan.[31][32] It also includes a 30-minute behind-the-scenes featurette titled The Death Parade with guest appearances from Ozzy Osbourne and Eminem.[32] Seven years later it was followed by Guns, God and Government – Live in L.A. Released in Blu-ray format by Eagle Rock Entertainment division Eagle Records on November 17, 2009, it depicts the sixteen song set of the Los Angeles, but does not include 'The Death Song'.[33][34]

Tour dates [edit]

# Date City Country Venue
North America[28]
1 October 27, 2000 Minneapolis, Minnesota United States Orpheum Theatre
2 October 28, 2000 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Eagles Ballroom
3 October 30, 2000 St. Louis, Missouri Fox Theatre
4 October 31, 2000 Kansas City, Kansas Kansas International Raceway
5 November 2, 2000 Tulsa, Oklahoma Brady Theatre
6 November 3, 2000 Houston, Texas Aerial Theatre
7 November 4, 2000 New Orleans, Louisiana State Palace Theatre
8 November 6, 2000 Charlotte, North Carolina Independence Arena
9 November 7, 2000 Atlanta, Georgia Tabernacle
10 November 9, 2000 Orlando, Florida Hard Rock Live
11 November 10, 2000 Tampa, Florida USF Sundome
12 November 11, 2000 Sunrise, Florida Sunrise Musical Theatre
13 November 13, 2000 Greensboro, North Carolina War Memorial Auditorium
14 November 15, 2000 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Electric Factory Ballroom
15 November 16, 2000
16 November 18, 2000 Toronto Canada Massey Hall
17 November 19, 2000 Rochester, New York United States Blue Cross Arena
18 November 21, 2000 Fairfax, Virginia Patriot Center
19 November 22, 2000 Lowell, Massachusetts Tsongas Arena
20 November 24, 2000 New York City, New York Hammerstein Ballroom
21 November 25, 2000
22 November 28, 2000 Detroit, Michigan State Theater
23 November 29, 2000 Cobo Arena
24 December 1, 2000 Madison, Wisconsin Dane County Expo
25 December 2, 2000 Chicago, Illinois UIC Pavilion
26 December 4, 2000 Indianapolis, Indiana Murat Center
27 December 5, 2000 Toledo, Ohio Toledo Sports Arena
(Cancelled)
28 December 7, 2000 Columbus, Ohio Veterans Memorial Auditorium
29 December 8, 2000 Cleveland, Ohio CSU Convocation Center
30 December 9, 2000 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mellon Arena
31 December 11, 2000 Peoria, Illinois Peoria Civic Center
32 December 12, 2000 Omaha, Nebraska Omaha Civic Auditorium
(Cancelled)
33 December 13, 2000 Valley Center, Kansas Kansas Coliseum
34 December 15, 2000 San Antonio, Texas Freeman Coliseum
35 December 16, 2000 Dallas, Texas Bronco Bowl
36 January 3, 2001 Vancouver Canada Queen Elizabeth Theatre
37 January 5, 2001 Portland, Oregon United States Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
38 January 6, 2001 Seattle, Washington Mercer Arena
39 January 10, 2001 San Jose, California Event Center Arena
40 January 11, 2001 Santa Barbara, California Arlington Theater
41 January 13, 2001 Los Angeles, California Grand Olympic Auditorium
Europe (Spring)
42 January 21, 2001 Birmingham England National Exhibition Centre
43 January 22, 2001 Manchester Evening News Arena
44 January 24, 2001 London Docklands Arena
45 January 25, 2001 Paris France Le Zenith
46 January 27, 2001 Bilbao Spain Pavellon de la Casilla
47 January 28, 2001 Barcelona Pavellon de Valle Hebron
48 January 31, 2001 Hamburg Germany Sporthalle
49 February 1, 2001 Cologne Palladium
50 February 3, 2001 Milan Italy Fila Forum
51 February 5, 2001 Marino Palaghiaccio
52 February 6, 2001 Bologne Palamalaguti
53 February 8, 2001 Zurich Switzerland Hallenstadion
54 February 10, 2001 Vienna Austria Libro Music Hall
55 February 11, 2001 Prague Czech Republic Paegus Arena
56 February 13, 2001 Warsaw Poland Torwar
57 February 15, 2001 Berlin Germany Velodrome
58 February 16, 2001 Copenhagen Denmark Forum
59 February 17, 2001 Oslo Norway Oslo Spektrum
60 February 19, 2001 Stockholm Sweden Ice Stadium
61 February 21, 2001 Helsinki Finland Ice Hall
62 February 24, 2001 Moscow Russia Olympisky Arena
(Rescheduled from February 23, 2001)
Asia (Spring)
63 March 11, 2001 Tokyo Japan Tokyo International Forum
64 March 13, 2001 Osaka Osaka Castle Hall
65 March 14, 2001 Nagoya Nagoya Century Hall
66 March 15, 2001 Fukuoka Fukuoka Sun Place
67 March 17, 2001 Hiroshima Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall
68 March 19, 2001 Tokyo NK Hall
69 March 20, 2001
70 March 22, 2001 Nagoya Nagoya Century Hall
Ozzfest
71 June 8, 2001 Tinley Park, Illinois United States New World Music Theatre
72 June 9, 2001 East Troy, Wisconsin Alpine Valley Music Theatre
73 June 12, 2001 Noblesville, Indiana Verizon Wireless Music Center
74 June 13, 2001
75 June 18, 2001 Maryland Heights, Missouri Riverport Amphitheater
76 June 19, 2001 Bonner Springs, Kansas Sandstone Amphitheater
77 June 22, 2001 Denver, Colorado Mile High Stadium
78 June 25, 2001 George, Washington The Gorge
79 June 27, 2001 Marysville, California Sacramento Valley Amphitheatre
80 June 30, 2001 Devore, California G.H. Blockbuster Pavilion
81 July 3, 2001 Schertz, Texas Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
82 July 5, 2001 Dallas, Texas Smirnoff Music Center
83 July 7, 2001 Atlanta, Georgia HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
84 July 13, 2001 West Palm Beach, Florida Mars Music Amphitheater
85 July 14, 2001 St.Petersburg, Florida Tropicana Field
86 July 17, 2001 Charlotte, North Carolina Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
87 July 20, 2001 Bristow, Virginia Nissan Pavilion
88 July 21, 2001 Camden, New Jersey Blockbuster Sony-E Center
89 July 24, 2001 Toronto Canada The Docks
90 July 26, 2001 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio United States Blossom Music Center
91 July 28, 2001 Burgettstown, Pennsylvania Post Gazette Pavilion
92 July 30, 2001 Clarkston, Michigan DTE Energy Music Theatre
93 July 31, 2001
94 August 3, 2001 Columbus, Ohio Polaris Amphitheater
95 August 5, 2001 Hartford, Connecticut Meadows Music Theatre
96 August 7, 2001 Mansfield, Massachusetts Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
97 August 8, 2001
98 August 11, 2001 Holmdel, New Jersey PNC Bank Arts Center
99 August 12, 2001
Asia (Autumn)
100 August 18, 2001 Osaka Japan WTC Open Air Stadium
101 August 19, 2001 Tokyo Chiba Marine Stadium
Europe (Autumn)
102 August 22, 2001 Porto Portugal Ilha do Ermal Festival
103 August 24, 2001 Leeds England Carling Weekender
104 August 25, 2001 Glasgow Scotland The Gig on the Green
105 August 26, 2001 Reading England Reading Festival
106 August 29, 2001 Ljubljana Slovenia Rock Festival
107 August 30, 2001 Vienna Austria 2 Days a Week
108 September 1, 2001 Konstanz Germany Rock am See
109 September 2, 2001 Hildesheim M'era Luna Festival

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Burk, Greg (2001-01-18). "Marilyn:A Re-Examination (page 2)". LA Weekly (Village Voice Media). Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  2. ^ a b c "Give 'Em Enough Pope". NME. IPC Media. 2000-10-30. Retrieved 2011-04-01. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Schumacher-Rasmussen, Eric (2001-06-21). "Marilyn Manson Haters, Supporters Battle It Out In Denver". VH1. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-04-02. 
  4. ^ a b "Marilyn Manson Interview on Bowling for Columbine". Bowling for Columbine Official Website. Michael Moore. 2002-10-11. Retrieved 2010-11-15. 
  5. ^ "A Day in the Life of Marilyn Manson". Kerrang! (Bauer Media Group). 2000-02-10. 
  6. ^ Gargano, Paul (2000-11). "Holy Wars: The Ground Campaign Begins". Metal Edge (Zenbu Media). 
  7. ^ a b "Guns, God & Government Tour". Kerrang! (Bauer Media Group) (839). 2001-02-10. 
  8. ^ a b Mancini, Robert (2001-06-12). "Metal Scrapes Against Metal At Ozzfest Opener". VH1. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-05-02. 
  9. ^ Neala Johnson (2001-05). "Marilyn Manson Interview with Herald Sun". Herald Sun (Southbank, Victoria: News Limited). 
  10. ^ Winwood, Ian (2002-03-23). "Paranoia, Jail Sentences, September 11 and Kittens?". Kerrang! (Bauer Media Group) (896). 
  11. ^ a b c Schumacher-Rasmussen, Eric (2000-12-12). "Blizzard Forces Marilyn Manson To Cancel Show". VH1. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-04-02. 
  12. ^ Manning, Kara (2000-11-27). "Marilyn Manson Drummer To Play On Despite Broken Bone". VH1. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-04-02. 
  13. ^ "You Little Devil!". NME. IPC Media. 2000-11-21. Retrieved 2011-04-02. 
  14. ^ a b c d e "Denver of Iniquity?". NME. IPC Media. 2001-05-08. Retrieved 2011-03-31. 
  15. ^ "Marilyn Manson: 'I'm Always Going To Be Bad'". Blabbermouth.net. Borivoj Krgin. 2007-06-02. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  16. ^ "Marilyn Manson: 'My Greatest Fear Has Always Been Not Being Able To Create'". Blabbermouth.Net. Borivoj Krgin. 2007-04-15. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  17. ^ a b D'Angelo, Joe (2001-05-21). "Colorado Governor, Congressman Support Anti-Manson Group". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-11-17. 
  18. ^ "Manson To Lead Bible Studies Class". NME. IPC Media. 2001-05-13. Retrieved 2011-03-31. 
  19. ^ a b c "Glasgow Miss?". NME. IPC Media. 2001-08-08. Retrieved 2011-04-03. 
  20. ^ Gustafson, Paul (2003-09-06). "No verdict yet in Marilyn Manson trial". Star Tribune (The Star Tribune Company). p. 9B. 
  21. ^ O'Hara, Sean (2001-12-07). "Manson's latest hip record". The Daily Mirror (Trinity Mirror plc). p. 14. 
  22. ^ Smyntek, John (2003-09-10). "Names & faces". Detroit Free Press (Gannett Company). p. 2D. 
  23. ^ Potts, Laura (2001-08-17). "Manson charged with assault". South Bend Tribune (Schurz Communications). p. A2. 
  24. ^ "Judge rules rocker's act not a sexual one". The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network). 2002-01-02. p. E2. 
  25. ^ "Marilyn Manson ordered to pay fine for assault". National Post (Postmedia Network Inc.). 2002-06-20. p. AL6. 
  26. ^ Derakhshani, Tirdad (2004-02-19). "Marilyn Manson gyration suit is settled". The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network). p. D2. 
  27. ^ a b c d e "Maz's Arresting Comments". NME. IPC Media. 2001-02-21. Retrieved 2011-04-19. 
  28. ^ a b c d "Marilyn Manson Announces First Leg Of World Tour". VH1. MTV Networks (Viacom). 2000-09-22. Retrieved 2011-04-03. 
  29. ^ a b Hilburn, Robert (2001-01-15). "Marilyn's Moon on the Wane pg.01". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  30. ^ Hilburn, Robert (2001-01-15). "Marilyn's Moon on the Wane pg.02". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  31. ^ "Marilyn Manson - Guns, God and Government World Tour (2001)". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-03-28. 
  32. ^ a b LeVasseur, Andrea. "Marilyn Manson: Guns, God and Government World Tour". MTV. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-03-28. 
  33. ^ "Marilyn Manson: Guns, God and Government – Live in L.A. [Blu-ray] (2009)". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-03-28. 
  34. ^ Seibert, Perry. "Marilyn Manson: Guns, God and Government – Live in L.A.". MTV. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-03-28. 

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