In the early 90s, Scott Putesky and Brian Warner formed a band that blew up throughout the decade, enraging the religious right. That band was Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. Better known by his stage name Daisy Berkowitz split from Brian Warner (Marilyn Manson) during the recording of the hit Antichrist Superstar in a move, he said helped him stay true to himself.
Since splitting from Manson, he played with various bands such as Godhead, the Linda Blairs, Stuck on Evil, Jack off Jill, and his own Three Ton Gate.
When Jack off Jill announced they were reuniting for one show, they involved Putesky with the project. As one of his fans who used to see him staring down at me with his luscious green locks on a Marilyn Manson poster, I couldn’t be more excited to finally watch him do his thing, so I asked him a few questions about his upcoming show.
How did you come across this opportunity?
SMP: Jessicka and I were friends back in the 90s and we have been in touch since we toured together in the summer of 1998. Playing guitar for Jack off Jill was kind of a family favor. Years later, I was pleasantly surprised that she was making art and was so active in the Los Angeles art world. She is my connection to all L.A. weirdness news.
What have you been up to musically the last 10-15 years?
SMP: After I quit Marilyn Manson,, which was not easy, I immediately embarked on my own studio project called Three Ton Gate.
I did all production on the 2005 album Lose Your Mind. Unfortunately, people stopped buying music in general at this point. Free downloading with no concern for artist’s profits essentially killed independent artist production and livelihood. I’ve done soundtracks for fetish and horror films, produced new band’s first albums … lately I’ve been doing solo shows in and around New York (where I live).
How did those go? Do you continue to play songs off Portrait of an American family? Is there a healthy mix of Three Ton Gate/Marilyn Manson songs?
SMP: The shows always have a great turnout, but I’d rather be recording.
What are we going to expect from your show at the Odditorium?
SMP: I have no idea what anyone’s expectations may be. You can’t please everyone. Trying to do so is way too much work. I do a mix of Spooky Kids/Manson, Three Ton Gate (solo) and cover songs.
You’ve been vocal about going through chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer, how are you now? Is there any way we can still help?
SMP: I am managing but it’s hard. I am stable for now. I go for treatment every two weeks and afterward I deal with the negative side effects – extreme fatigue, inability to taste or eat, lack of focus, rough/burning hands/feet – for about ten days then I have to go back again…indefinitely.
Donations for SMP can be made here: every little bit helps
After you left Marilyn Manson and Jack off Jill, you branched off and created your own music. How important is it to you to continue making music?
SMP: It means the world to me to be able to make art and music. I am an artist (musical and visual – always) which is a condition – not an occupation. You don’t go to art school to become an artist. You go to develop skills and learn about tools and techniques. Throughout history, artists have had to work very hard to make a living with their work. A little luck doesn’t hurt either.
FRIDAY, JULY 17th:
A very special, rare solo performance by Daisy Berkowitz (founding member of Marilyn Manson) plus a signing from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. And an unveiling of a new mural painted exclusively for the Jack Off Jill reunion by Los Angeles-based visual artist Camille Rose Garcia at The Odditorium (1045 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC (828) 575-9299
Pre-sale tickets are $13 and $15 at the door the day of the show. Tickets for the show can be purchased here: http://theodditoriumasheville.bigcartel.com/
