THE DATE: MAY 15th (i think--my ticket is on my shrine), 1994
THE PLACE: ROSELAND BALLROOM NY, NY
WHO: FEM II FEM, MM, NIN

ok.....i don't know if it was the fact that FEM II FEM sucked so bad (lesbian new kids on the block--that was the only way i could describe 'em) or that i was just waiting to see NIN, but i really truly think that MM sucked. No shit. They sucked. Granted when they started the set with "PRELUDE" i was next to tears as Willy Wonka is one of the biggest parts of my childhood--even have a copy of the video signed by Gene Wilder himself but that is another story......
MM had no groove, and when it did the big problem was that the music just wasn't together.....normally i bootleg shows but i didn't that night as i really wanted to enjoy watching the show.....
you see, i hadn't heard of 'em before i went. i found out that some band named MARILYN MANSON was opening and nobody around me knew anything about 'em. Sure they were thanked in the liner notes to the downward spiral, but nobody knew jack. Personally i was kinda hoping that it was some pseudonym for TORI AMOS and that i would get to see trent and tori on-stage together (you know, blue special comes up on the figure of trent singing PAST THE MISSION.....) but of course it was our boys. the problem was probably that i couldn't find the album or the GYG single before the show...without knowing the lyrics i just really didn't appreciate the reverend saying "how many of you are here for hate tonight? How many of you believe in hate?" i think it takes knowing what the band is saying to truly appreciate that comment--but just like the KILL GOD shirt you need to read it all before you understand.... yes, i made the ALICE COOPER references too, but maybe only because i know Dennis Dunaway who is the original bassist for Alice...the comparisons are there--i find it funny that Donahue said the same thing--but hey, MM is a better band....now...
saw them again in Poughkeepsie but only got to hear them as my friends forced me to leave later than i wanted and MM went on as there was still a huge fucking line outside that i was stuck in. They sounded better but i still thought "eh, so what..."
that week though, i found the album finally. listened, and i was a changed man. the album as we all know is fucking brilliant--so it goes. but what finally did it was seeing them again 12/9/94 at MSG--finally they seemed to have the stage show together, the shtick, i knew what they were saying, i booted it, they played sweet dreams....SIGH...love at third sight......

rooster