| Stephen Bier | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Stephen Bier |
| Also known as | Madonna Wayne Gacy Pogo |
| Born | March 6 1964 Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Genre(s) | Alternative metal Industrial Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Keyboardist |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards Synthesizer Electronic drums |
| Years active | 1989 - 2007 |
| Label(s) | nothing Interscope |
| Associated acts |
Marilyn Manson Mrs. Scabtree |
Stephen Gregory Bier Jr., formerly known by his stage name Madonna Wayne Gacy, (born March 6, 1964, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is the former keyboard player for Marilyn Manson. His stage name is taken from the names of the singer Madonna and the serial killer John Wayne Gacy. He is often referred to as "Pogo," John Wayne Gacy's clown name. Reportedly, Stephen Bier Jr. did not play keyboards until he joined Marilyn Manson. He has played the following other instruments or sound-shaping techniques on Marilyn Manson's albums as well: calliope, Hammond organ, saxophone, theremin, various brass instruments, overdubs, loops, bassoon, acoustic drums, electronic drums, piano, sampling, mellotron, shaker, and synthesizer. He is responsible for much of the Kabbalic and numerological meanings behind Manson's albums. [1] Bier did not contribute to Marilyn Manson's album Eat Me, Drink Me and shortly before its release was said to have left the band and returned to his home in Florida to focus on his photography with rumours briefly floating around that he had left the band and returned home due to a major family crisis. Manson has stated that Pogo is now a photographer in interviews. Chris Vrenna has been confirmed as his live replacement for the tour to promote Eat Me, Drink Me. On August 2, 2007, it was reported that Bier has filed a lawsuit against Manson for unpaid "partnership proceeds". Bier claims Manson spent the band's earnings on "sick and disturbing purchases of Nazi memorabilia and taxidermy (including the skeleton of a young Chinese girl)" and on various other luxurious items. Bier then went on to claim that Manson "devised a campaign to drive Bier out of the band and rob him of his entitlement". Litigation is said to begin immediately.[2] On December 19, Manson filed a counter suit against Bier, accusing him of breach of contract.[3]
Discography
- Portrait of an American Family (Marilyn Manson, 1994)
- "The Heart's Filthy Lesson" single (US) (David Bowie, 1995) (uncredited)
- Smells Like Children (Marilyn Manson, 1995)
- Antichrist Superstar (Marilyn Manson, 1996)
- Lost Highway Soundtrack - Apple of Sodom (uncredited, 1997)
- Mechanical Animals (Marilyn Manson, 1998)
- Dead Man on Campus Soundtrack (Marilyn Manson's cover of David Bowie's "Golden Years", 1999)
- Detroit Rock City (Marilyn Manson's cover of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell", 1999)
- The Last Tour On Earth (Marilyn Manson, 1999)
- Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) (Marilyn Manson, 2000)
- The Golden Age Of Grotesque (Marilyn Manson, 2003)
- Lest We Forget: The Best of Marilyn Manson (Marilyn Manson, 2004)
References
- ^ ISBN 0-06-098746-4: Manson, Marilyn, "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell" 1999
- ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=78000
- ^ Marilyn Manson files suit against ex-bandmate, NME, 2007-12-21, <http://www.nme.com/news/marilyn-manson/33356>. Retrieved on 2007-12-21
