System of a Down’s Daron Malakian causes controversy calling Charles Manson a ‘genius’
He also said he was 'very sad' about the passing
System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian has defended controversial comments he has made about murderous cult leader Charles Manson.
In the wake of Manson’s death on Sunday (19th November), Malakian posted a photo of himself wearing a Charles Manson t-shirt and standing in front of a painting themed on the notorious criminal.
“Very sad to hear the news about Charles Manson’s death,” Malakian said. “During the time I was writing (System of a Down’s) Toxicity album, Manson’s interviews and music were a big influence on me as an artist. I titled the song #ATWA after Manson’s environmental organization.
“My interest was in the way he articulated his thoughts and his views on society, not in the murders. The painting in this photo is one I asked my dad to paint with the Charles Manson theme, which I later used as the art for the #ScarsOnBroadway song ‘F***ing’ that was released through limited vinyl. #charlesmanson #mansonfamily”
Unsurprisingly the tribute was met with an immediate backlash, so Malakian wrote another post defending his controversial comments.
Malakian said: “If all you know about Manson is what you’ve be sold by the media, I don’t blame you for you negative comments. But the other side of Manson was that he was a song writer who’s song ‘Look at your Game, Girl” was covered by Guns N’ Roses (on 1993’s ‘The Spaghetti Incident?’).
“Manson also had very valid view points on the society and the environment that even some of you people who are calling me disgusting couldn’t argue with if you took the time to look into his interviews. I would say you would be the disgusting ones if you disagree with him on some of these topics.
“If Manson was just some idiot who killed people he wouldn’t inspire me in any way. I don’t back murders or murderers in any way shape or form!!!!! Manson was a Genius who could articulate his thoughts in very clever ways.
“That was the Manson who affected me as an artist. For all of you who say your happy he is dead and he should burn in your imaginary Hell, Your the ones who should be ashamed of yourselves. You seam to be just as bad with your thoughts as the murderers you same that you hate so much!!!!”
With comments condemning Malakian still flooding in, he made an analogy to American footballer/actor OJ Simpson.
It’s worth noting that Simpson was never convicted of murdering his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in a criminal court, however in 1997 a civil court awarded a $33.5 million judgment against Simpson for the victims' wrongful deaths.
“Let me try to explain one more time for those who just don’t get where I’m coming from on this Manson post,” Malakian wrote. “I don’t back the murderer Charles Manson, I back his art and his views on social and environmental issues.
“Sometimes talented people do bad things. For example, OJ Simpson killed his wife, which is horrible. But you can’t deny the fact that he’s was one of the best football players in history. So there is the murderer OJ, and the Football OJ.
“So if I was a football player, I could not deny Simpson’s contribution to the game and the impact he had on future football players. Yes he did a horrible thing by killing his wife, but his talent as a football player in undeniable.
“And for the people who are asking if I would feel the same if Manson killed my family or pregnant wife, this is an example for you. My family was in the Armenian Genocide where millions of Armenians were slaughtered by The Turkish government and Turkish soldiers. But I still enjoy Turkish music, Turkish art, and I have Turkish friends who probably had grandparents who were Turkish soldiers during the genocide.”