System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian was recently interviewed by Chris Jericho on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, and he discussed his fascination with murderer Charles Manson. Manson orchestrated the murder of actress Sharon Tate and her unborn child. He also oddly said that despite allegedly murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, OJ Simpson was still a ‘badass running back.’ Simpson was also an actor and television broadcaster. Malakian was called ‘disgusting’ when he posted what some saw as a tribute to Charles Manson after his death.
Jericho asked if he thought Manson was treated unfairly, and Ultimate-Guitar transcribed his comments.
“Not necessarily that he was treated unfairly… There’s a certain side to him that I – I never was interested in the murders or any of that side of things, I just used to watch his parole hearings and things like that, and I found what he had to say…”
“He just articulated his words and his message in a certain way that I thought was unique and interesting and made him original. And, you know, he was not a stupid guy at the end of the day. … So that’s the part of it that I found intriguing.”
He added, “People think that I’m standing up for the murderer. You know, OJ Simpson did something really horrible, but you can’t take away that he was a badass running back.
“So Manson, to me, when it comes to his views on society and things like this, I in a lot of ways agree with [him] and, like I said, find it interesting. But the murder side of it…”
Daron said the following after Manson’s death:
“Very sad to hear the news about Charles Manson’s death. During the time I was writing [2001’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 Scars on Broadway song ‘Fucking’ that was released through limited vinyl. #charlesmanson #mansonfamily”
He later said:
“If all you know about Manson is what you’ve been sold by the media, I don’t blame you for your negative comments. But the other side of Manson was that he was a songwriter whose song ‘Look at Your Game’ 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, you’re the ones who should be ashamed of yourselves. You seem to be just as bad with your thoughts as the murderers you same that you hate so much!”
