“We Are All Stars Now In The Dope Show!”
Four years ago, an idea came to life and The Dope Show, a Marilyn Manson tribute band, performed for the first time on stage. “It was for fun,” said founder and vocalist Chris Navasatis who goes by “The Rev” in this case. “We didn’t sing his singles or hits… It was more of Manson’s obscure songs that he really didn’t do live.”
Fast forward to the end of 2012 and The Dope Show makes its reappearance with renewed vigor to the delight of area Manson fans with an updated hard driving, surrealistic stage show. Navasatis said he has the best of both worlds since he is also the founder of ERASETHEVIRUS, an original industrial metal band that is wildly popular in the Houston area. But what is it about Marilyn Manson specifically that lures in legions of fans, including Navasatis? “Manson and I sound the same already. Plus, my band members aren’t scared to wear the makeup. And like a paradox, it may be about the money.”
The name "The Dope Show" is a song from Manson's 1998 album Mechanical Animals, also released in September of that year as the album's lead single. It is described as "a full bump and grind song with a stripper beat." In keeping with the album's themes of narcissism and consumerism, the lyrics are an admonition against buying into fame, and mass culture. Further references are made to the obvious attractions and glamour of the world of stardom, obsession, and the absurdity of such a world. Manson chides society for partaking in Andy Warhol's prediction that everyone "will be world-famous for fifteen minutes." Manson declares that "we're all stars now, in the dope show." The song was nominated for a 1999 Grammy award.
“We bring out all of the props, outfit changes, stilts, etc.” said Navasatis.”But we always want people to know that it is ERASETHEVIRUS doing Manson and in our kind of way.” Rounding out the members of The Dope Show is Epoc on keyboards, Mangy on bass, Josh 5 on guitar, and the infamous Slay on drums.
Manson reminds us in song and lyrics that life is not about being a sheep of the world, it's about the momentum of fans that believe and embrace the sub-culture of the individual, which actually is where the real culture is.
For more information about the band, visit www.Facebook.com/TheDopeShowTX.
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