Manson Cleared in Suit

Marilyn Manson was cleared Monday in a civil lawsuit filed by a Minnesota security guard who claims the shock rocker caused him emotional distress during a concert three years ago.

David Diaz filed a federal suit accusing Manson (real name Brian Warner) of battery, after Manson placed the guard's head against his crotch and gyrated during a concert at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theater in October 2000. Manson, who appeared in the courtroom last year, didn't deny his accuser's claims but said that they did not constitute battery. Diaz sought more than $75,000, but a twelve-member jury was unanimous in its decision.

"The path to truth is obscured by frivolous lawsuits, but it's lit by the objectivity of a jury that sees the difference between entertainment and assault," Manson said. "I feel completely vindicated, and I'd like to thank the jury and the judge for their thoughtful verdict."

The case was the second of its kind for Manson; he pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct charges last year for performing a similar act with a Michigan security guard in July 2001. He paid a $4,000 fine, with a civil case still pending.

Manson also said that he's excited to be returning to Minnesota in October as part of his tour behind The Golden Age of the Grotesque. The fifteen-date tour launches October 10th in Los Angeles.

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

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