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Guns, God and Government Tour

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Guns, God and Government Tour
Tour by Marilyn Manson
Promotional poster for the January 31 performance of the Guns, God and Government Tour
Associated albumHoly Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
Start dateOctober 27, 2000 (2000-10-27)
End dateSeptember 2, 2001 (2001-09-02)
No. of shows109 (planned)
107 (completed)
Marilyn Manson concert chronology

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, 2000, 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 show began in Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre.[3] The shows drew numerous protesters and resistance from civic and church leaders as well as other elements of local communities. The contentious Denver show, during the Ozzfest leg of the Guns, God and Government Tour,[4] was also featured during Marilyn Manson's interview in Michael Moore's 2002 documentary film Bowling for Columbine.[5]

Performance and show themes

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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 Cold War, religious and "Celebritarian" imagery in mind.[6][7]

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][8][9]

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.[9]

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 rostrum 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.[10]

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.[11]

Incidents

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The inaugural North American leg of the Guns, God and Government Tour suffered two separate cancellations.[12] 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.[13] 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.[12]

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.[12]

Protests and controversy

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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).[14]

Marilyn Manson's performance in Denver, Colorado on June 22, 2001, at the Mile High Stadium also drew attention from the national news media.[4][15] 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.[4][15] 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.[4][15] The band initially pulled out due to scheduling conflicts, however, the group later altered their plans in order to accommodate the Denver date.[15] The band met heavy resistance from conservative groups and the performer received numerous death threats and calls to skip the date.[16][17] 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."[4][15][18] 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.

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'.[4] 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."[4] 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."[5]

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.[20] 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."[20] 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 licensing application for Gig On The Green. This was due to the inclusion of both Eminem and Marilyn Manson on the bill. Both attempts failed.[20]

Lawsuits

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In a civil battery suit, David Diaz, a security officer from a concert in Minneapolis, on October 27, 2000, sued for $75,000 in a Minneapolis federal court.[21][22] The federal court jury found in Manson's favor.[23]

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.[24] Oakland County originally filed assault and battery and criminal sexual misconduct charges,[25] but the judge reduced the latter charge to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.[26] Manson pleaded no contest to the reduced charges, paid a $4,000 fine,[27] and later settled the lawsuit under undisclosed terms.[28]

Arrests

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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.[29] Following a police raid on the home of the two suspects, Italian police uncovered images of crucifixes, pentagrams and Marilyn Manson lyrics.[29] 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.[29]

The next day, Manson was arrested again following the group's show at the Palamalaguti in Bologna, Italy.[29] 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.[29]

Setlist

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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.

Headline Tours

Count to Six and Die (Intro)

Festival Tours

God Bless America (Intro)

  • "Irresponsible Hate Anthem"
  • "The Reflecting God"
  • "Disposable Teens"
  • "The Fight Song"
  • "The Nobodies"
  • "Rock is Dead"
  • "The Dope Show"
  • "Cruci-Fiction in Space"
  • "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"
  • "The Love Song"
  • "Rock n Roll Nigger"
  • "Antichrist Superstar"
  • "The Beautiful People"

Lineup

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Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Los Angeles Times[31]

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."[8] 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."[31][32]

Broadcasts & Recordings

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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.[33][34] It also includes a 30-minute behind-the-scenes featurette titled The Death Parade with guest appearances from Ozzy Osbourne and Eminem.[34] 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'.[35][36]

Tour dates

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List of concerts, showing date, city, country, and venue
Date City Country Venue Opening Act(s) Attendance Revenue
North America[30]
October 27, 2000 Minneapolis United States Orpheum Theatre n/a
October 28, 2000 Milwaukee Eagles Ballroom
October 30, 2000 St. Louis Fox Theatre
October 31, 2000 Kansas City Kansas International Raceway
November 2, 2000 Tulsa Brady Theatre
November 3, 2000 Houston Aerial Theatre
November 4, 2000 New Orleans State Palace Theatre
November 6, 2000 Charlotte Independence Arena
November 7, 2000 Atlanta Tabernacle
November 9, 2000 Orlando Hard Rock Live
November 10, 2000 Tampa USF Sundome
November 11, 2000 Sunrise Sunrise Musical Theatre
November 13, 2000 Greensboro War Memorial Auditorium
November 15, 2000 Philadelphia Electric Factory Ballroom
November 16, 2000
November 18, 2000 Toronto Canada Massey Hall
November 19, 2000 Rochester United States Blue Cross Arena
November 21, 2000 Fairfax Patriot Center
November 22, 2000 Lowell Tsongas Arena
November 24, 2000 New York City Hammerstein Ballroom
November 25, 2000
November 28, 2000 Detroit State Theatre
November 29, 2000 Cobo Arena
December 1, 2000 Madison Dane County Expo
December 2, 2000 Chicago UIC Pavilion
December 4, 2000 Indianapolis Murat Center
December 5, 2000 Toledo Toledo Sports Arena
(Cancelled)
December 7, 2000 Columbus Veterans Memorial Auditorium
December 8, 2000 Cleveland CSU Convocation Center
December 9, 2000 Pittsburgh Mellon Arena
December 11, 2000 Peoria Peoria Civic Center
December 12, 2000 Omaha Omaha Civic Auditorium
(Cancelled)
December 13, 2000 Valley Center Kansas Coliseum
December 15, 2000 San Antonio Freeman Coliseum
December 16, 2000 Dallas Bronco Bowl
January 3, 2001 Vancouver Canada Queen Elizabeth Theatre
January 5, 2001 Portland United States Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
January 6, 2001 Seattle Mercer Arena
January 10, 2001 San Jose Event Center Arena
January 11, 2001 Santa Barbara Arlington Theater
January 13, 2001 Los Angeles Universal Amphitheatre
Europe (Spring)
January 21, 2001 Birmingham England National Exhibition Centre n/a
January 22, 2001 Manchester Evening News Arena
January 24, 2001 London Docklands Arena
January 25, 2001 Paris France Zénith de Paris
January 27, 2001 Bilbao Spain Pabellón de La Casilla
January 28, 2001 Barcelona Pavelló de la Vall d'Hebron
January 31, 2001 Hamburg Germany Alsterdorfer Sporthalle
February 1, 2001 Cologne Palladium
February 3, 2001 Milan Italy Fila Forum
February 5, 2001 Marino Palaghiaccio di Marino
February 6, 2001 Bologna PalaMalaguti
February 8, 2001 Zürich Switzerland Hallenstadion
February 10, 2001 Vienna Austria Libro Music Hall
February 11, 2001 Prague Czech Republic Paegas Arena
February 13, 2001 Warsaw Poland Torwar Hall
February 15, 2001 Berlin Germany Velodrom
February 16, 2001 Copenhagen Denmark Forum Copenhagen
February 17, 2001 Oslo Norway Oslo Spektrum
February 19, 2001 Stockholm Sweden Ice Stadium
February 21, 2001 Helsinki Finland Helsinki Ice Hall
February 24, 2001 Moscow Russia Olympic Stadium
(Rescheduled from February 23, 2001)
Asia (Spring)
March 11, 2001 Tokyo Japan Tokyo International Forum n/a
March 13, 2001 Osaka Osaka Castle Hall
March 14, 2001 Nagoya Nagoya Century Hall
March 15, 2001 Fukuoka Fukuoka Sun Place
March 17, 2001 Hiroshima Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall
March 19, 2001 Tokyo NK Hall
March 20, 2001
March 22, 2001 Nagoya Nagoya Century Hall
Ozzfest
June 8, 2001 Tinley Park United States New World Music Theatre none
June 9, 2001 East Troy Alpine Valley Music Theatre
June 12, 2001 Noblesville Verizon Wireless Music Center
June 13, 2001
June 18, 2001 Maryland Heights Riverport Amphitheater
June 19, 2001 Bonner Springs Sandstone Amphitheater
June 22, 2001 Denver Mile High Stadium
June 25, 2001 George The Gorge Amphitheatre
June 27, 2001 Wheatland Sacramento Valley Amphitheatre
June 30, 2001 Devore G.H. Blockbuster Pavilion
July 3, 2001 Selma Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 5, 2001 Dallas Smirnoff Music Center
July 7, 2001 Atlanta HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
July 13, 2001 West Palm Beach Mars Music Amphitheater
July 14, 2001 St. Petersburg Tropicana Field
July 17, 2001 Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 20, 2001 Bristow Nissan Pavilion
July 21, 2001 Camden Blockbuster Sony-E Center
July 24, 2001 Toronto Canada The Docks
July 26, 2001 Cuyahoga Falls United States Blossom Music Center
July 28, 2001 Burgettstown Post-Gazette Pavilion
July 30, 2001 Clarkston DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 31, 2001
August 3, 2001 Columbus Polaris Amphitheater
August 5, 2001 Hartford Meadows Music Theatre
August 7, 2001 Mansfield Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
August 8, 2001
August 11, 2001 Holmdel Township PNC Bank Arts Center
August 12, 2001
Asia (Autumn)
August 18, 2001 Osaka Japan Summer Sonic Festival n/a
August 19, 2001 Tokyo Summer Sonic Festival
Europe (Autumn)
August 22, 2001 Porto Portugal Ilha do Ermal Festival n/a
August 24, 2001 Leeds England Carling Weekender
August 25, 2001 Glasgow Scotland The Gig on the Green
August 26, 2001 Reading England Reading Festival
August 29, 2001 Ljubljana Slovenia Rock Festival
August 30, 2001 Vienna Austria 2 Days a Week
September 1, 2001 Konstanz Germany Rock am See
September 2, 2001 Hildesheim M'era Luna Festival

References

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  1. ^ a b Burk, Greg (January 18, 2001). "Marilyn:A Re-Examination (page 2)". LA Weekly. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Give 'Em Enough Pope". NME. October 30, 2000. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  3. ^ Staff writer. "Guns, God & Government Tour'". Kerrang!. Wasted Talent Ltd. ISSN 0262-6624.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Schumacher-Rasmussen, Eric (June 21, 2001). "Marilyn Manson Haters, Supporters Battle It Out In Denver". VH1. Retrieved April 2, 2011.[dead link]
  5. ^ a b "Marilyn Manson Interview on Bowling for Columbine". Bowling for Columbine Official Website. Michael Moore. October 11, 2002. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  6. ^ "A Day in the Life of Marilyn Manson". Kerrang!. February 10, 2000.
  7. ^ Gargano, Paul (November 2000). "Holy Wars: The Ground Campaign Begins". Metal Edge.
  8. ^ a b "Guns, God & Government Tour". Kerrang! (839). February 10, 2001.
  9. ^ a b Mancini, Robert (June 12, 2001). "Metal Scrapes Against Metal At Ozzfest Opener". VH1. Retrieved May 2, 2011.[dead link]
  10. ^ Neala Johnson (May 2001). "Marilyn Manson Interview with Herald Sun". Herald Sun. Southbank, Victoria.
  11. ^ Winwood, Ian (March 23, 2002). "Paranoia, Jail Sentences, September 11 and Kittens?". Kerrang! (896).
  12. ^ a b c Schumacher-Rasmussen, Eric (December 12, 2000). "Blizzard Forces Marilyn Manson To Cancel Show". VH1. Retrieved April 2, 2011.[dead link]
  13. ^ Manning, Kara (November 27, 2000). "Marilyn Manson Drummer To Play On Despite Broken Bone". VH1. Retrieved April 2, 2011.[dead link]
  14. ^ "You Little Devil!". NME. November 21, 2000. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Denver of Iniquity?". NME. IPC Media. May 8, 2001. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  16. ^ "Marilyn Manson: 'I'm Always Going To Be Bad'". Blabbermouth.net. Borivoj Krgin. June 2, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  17. ^ "Marilyn Manson: 'My Greatest Fear Has Always Been Not Being Able To Create'". Blabbermouth.Net. Borivoj Krgin. April 15, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  18. ^ a b D'Angelo, Joe (May 21, 2001). "Colorado Governor, Congressman Support Anti-Manson Group". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2001. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  19. ^ "Manson To Lead Bible Studies Class". NME. May 13, 2001. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  20. ^ a b c "Glasgow Miss?". NME. IPC Media. August 8, 2001. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  21. ^ Gustafson, Paul (September 6, 2003). "No verdict yet in Marilyn Manson trial". Star Tribune. p. 9B.
  22. ^ O'Hara, Sean (December 7, 2001). "Manson's latest hip record". The Daily Mirror. p. 14.
  23. ^ Smyntek, John (September 10, 2003). "Names & faces". Detroit Free Press. p. 2D.
  24. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (May 2, 2002). "Marilyn Manson's Criminal Crotch-Rubbing Suit Spawns Civil Case". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  25. ^ Potts, Laura (August 17, 2001). "Manson charged with assault". South Bend Tribune. p. A2.
  26. ^ "Judge rules rocker's act not a sexual one". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 2, 2002. p. E2.
  27. ^ "Marilyn Manson ordered to pay fine for assault". National Post. June 20, 2002. p. AL6.
  28. ^ Derakhshani, Tirdad (February 19, 2004). "Marilyn Manson gyration suit is settled". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D2.
  29. ^ a b c d e "Maz's Arresting Comments". NME. February 21, 2001. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  30. ^ a b c d "Marilyn Manson Announces First Leg Of World Tour". VH1. September 22, 2000. Archived from the original on August 21, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  31. ^ a b Hilburn, Robert (January 15, 2001). "Marilyn's Moon on the Wane pg.01". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  32. ^ Hilburn, Robert (January 15, 2001). "Marilyn's Moon on the Wane pg.02". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  33. ^ "Marilyn Manson - Guns, God and Government World Tour (2001)". Amazon. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  34. ^ a b LeVasseur, Andrea. "Marilyn Manson: Guns, God and Government World Tour". MTV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2005. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  35. ^ "Marilyn Manson: Guns, God and Government – Live in L.A. [Blu-ray] (2009)". Amazon. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  36. ^ Seibert, Perry. "Marilyn Manson: Guns, God and Government – Live in L.A." MTV. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
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