Portrait of an American Family (album)

This article is about the album. For the tour, see Portrait of an American Family (tour).

Portrait of an American Family
Portrait of an American Family cover
Studio album by Marilyn Manson
Released	July 19, 1994
Recorded	August–December 1993 at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles, California, The Village Recorder and Pig
Genre	Alternative metal, heavy metal, industrial metal
Length	61:05
Label	Nothing, Interscope
Producer	Marilyn Manson, Trent Reznor
Professional reviews
Allmusic Template:Rating 3.5 link
Marilyn Manson chronology
Refrigerator (1993) Portrait of an American Family (1994) Smells Like Children (1995)

Portrait of an American Family is the debut studio album by Marilyn Manson, released on July 19, 1994 by Interscope Records. It was initially called The Manson Family Album, but was retitled prior to release. It is the first and only Marilyn Manson studio album that bassist Gidget Gein plays on. Gein was fired for his drug problem after the production and Twiggy Ramirez, a friend of Manson, was inducted into the band. Contrary to popular belief, Ramirez did not play bass on the album.

Track listing

1. "Prelude (The Family Trip)" – 1:20

2. "Cake and Sodomy" – 3:46

3. "Lunchbox" – 4:32

4. "Organ Grinder" – 4:22

5. "Cyclops" – 3:32

6. "Dope Hat" – 4:21

7. "Get Your Gunn" – 3:18

8. "Wrapped in Plastic" – 5:35

9. "Dogma" – 3:22

10. "Sweet Tooth" – 5:03

11. "Snake Eyes and Sissies" – 4:07

12. "My Monkey" – 4:31

13. "Misery Machine" – 13:11

Bonus tracks

14. "Down in the Park" (Argentina bonus track) – 5:00

15. "Brown Bag" (Argentina bonus track) – 6:19

Singles

Portrait of an American Family spawned two official singles and one promo-only release:

Official

• "Get Your Gunn"
• "Lunchbox"

Promo only

• "Dope Hat"

Album credits

MARILYN MANSON:
"PORTRAIT OF AN AMERICAN FAMILY"
Starring:
DAISY BERKOWITZ: PSYCHOACOUSTICAL GUITARS
TWIGGY RAMIREZ: BASE TENDENCIES
MADONNA WAYNE GACY: HAMMOND ORGAN, THEREMIN, SAXOPHONE, CALLIOPENIS, BRASS, BABIES, DISTORTED MUZETTE, LOOPS
SARA LEE LUCAS: HITTING

AND MR. MANSON: ACCUSATIONS, CHILD MANIPULATIONS, BACKWARDS MASKING, POLAROIDS
1. PRELUDE (THE FAMILY TRIP) adapted by manson / boat ride: manson, gacy 2. CAKE AND SODOMY (lyrics: manson
/ music: berkowitz) 3. LUNCHBOX (lyrics: manson / music: berkowitz, gein) bionic guitar: reznor. Contains elements from
"Fire" (Crane/Finesilver/Brown). Onward Music, Ltd. (PRS). Performed by Arthur Brown. Used under license from
PolyGram Special Markets, a division of PolyGram Distribution Group, Inc. 4. ORGAN GRINDER (lyrics: manson / music:
gein, berkowitz) 5. CYCLOPS (lyrics: manson / music: berkowitz, gein, gacy) 6. DOPE HAT (lyrics: manson / music:
manson, berkowitz, gacy) additional percussion: Chris Vrenna, additional loops: Manson. Contains excerpts of dialogue from
"Liddsville". Used under license from The Sid & Marty Krofft Picture Corp. 7. GET YOUR GUNN (lyrics: manson / music:
berkowitz, gein) uncontrolled saxophone: Hope Nichols 8. WRAPPED IN PLASTIC (lyrics: manson / music: berkowitz)
knives: Manson, additional voodoo drums Charlie Clouser, violation: Melissa (age 19) 9. DOGMA (lyrics: manson / music:
berkowitz) background vocals and citronella: Hope Nichols 10. SWEET TOOTH (lyrics: manson / music: gacy, gein) scab
loop: Manson 11. SNAKE EYES AND SISSIES (lyrics: manson / music: gacy, berkowitz, gein) skull: Podboy, "Maria": Gacy
12. MY MONKEY (lyrics: manson / music: berkowitz) boy: Robert Pierce (age 6), the pitiful pot pie brass section: Gacy,
Reznor, Beavan. 13. MISERY MACHINE (lyrics: manson / music: gein, berkowitz, gacy). Contains elements from "Beep,
Beep" (Claps/Cicchetti). Longtitude Music Co. (BMI). Used by permission. All rights reserved. Performed by The Playmates.
Used under license from Warner Special Products/EMI Records (UK). EPILOGUE: Contains excerpts of dialogue by
Mink Stole from the film "Desperate Living". Used under license from New Line Cinema.
All bass played on this recording by Gidget Gein (AKA Brad Stewart).
Executive Producer: Trent Reznor. Produced by Mr. Manson and Trent Reznor. Assisted by Alan Moulder and Sean Beavan.
Recorded at The Record Plant (Los Angeles), The Village Recorder (Los Angeles), Pig (Beverly Hills) and Criteria (Miami).
Engineered by Alan Moulder and Roli Mosimann. Assisted by Brian Pollack, Marc Gruber, Chris Vrenna, Barry Goldberg and
Brian Scheuble. Mixed at The Village Recorder and Pig by Trent Reznor, Alan Moulder, Sean Beavan and Marc Freegard. Digital Editing and Programming: Charlie Clouser, Trent Reznor and Sean Beavan

Mastered by Tom Baker at Future Disc, Los Angeles

Mood Lighting: Wade Wright Live Sound: Chris Meyer Tattoos: Albert Sgambati, Donovan Doll family, logo, artwork and album design created by Mr. Manson

Photography: Robin Perine

"American Family" cover and "Floating Dolls" Photographs: Jeffrey Weiss Package: Gary Talpas Managed by Frank Callari/John Tovar c/o TCO Group, Inc. P.O. Box 23329, Nashville, TN
Publicity by Sioux Z. at Formula Merchandise can be obtained through Satan's Bakesale
To join the Marilyn Manson Family write to: 2901 Clint Moore Rd., Suite #404, Boca Raton, FL. 33496 or call the Marilyn Manson Family Intervention Hotline anytime at (407-997-9437)
MARILYN MANSON WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING: MELISSA ROMERO, BARB AND HUGH, PAUL JENKINS, DEIDRE,
EVERYONE AT COPYRIGHT, GLENN RICHARDS, PODBOY, T.A.G.R, JOHN A. MALM, JR,. SUSIE TALLMAN, GERRY GERRARD, SAM,
JASON MORGAN, WKPX, GEN AND THE GENITORTURERS, DUKE OF DAVIE, FRANKIE, ARLEEN, KAY WRIGHT, JESSICKA AND JACK
OFF JILL, JEREMY STASKA, LEE, SCABTREE, BLANCHE BARTON, ANTON LAVEY, BOYD RICE, JOHN WATERS, SUSAN WELLS, JACK
KEARNEY AND MICHAEL, WILLIE, FRANK, LISA, KEVIN AND EVERYONE ELSE AT SQUEEZE, CARRIE DUNN, CHRISTOFAIRY, TOM
MORRIS, CHARLIE LOGAN, MORGAN, MIA JOHNSON, LLOYD, KEVIN MACIVOR, RODNEY, AND SID OF BAD DOG VIDEO, DOG EAT
DOG, BILL HOWARD, LORI WERDER, HOPE AND SUGARSMACK, JOHN "MARIA" SCAZZA, FLASHBACKS, LEW, TIM GALLAGHER,
SHAWN, A.J., STEVE-O, DAN, MARNIE SMITH, CHARLZ WIEBER, CHAD McCABE, MARC GRUBER, STREITHORST FAMILY,
DENONCOUR FAMILY, PIERCE FAMILY, META POWLES, DAVID "SPARKY" BANNETT, T.J. LOCASTRO, ALLEN L. MITCHELL, TIM
O'NEAL OF RESURRECTION DRUMS, STEVE AND HELEN BIER, BILL AND LEE BIER, CHARLENE YIP, ANGEL ARAZHY, JULIE
BLANDFORD, GJ DOUG, SCOTT VAN AMSTERDAM, PDRAIC OGLE, BRAD WILSON, MIKE FELS, DAVE FRAUMAN, HOLLY POWELL,
RYAN AT BOX OF SNAKES, KURT MOODY, MARK, JOHN RAYMOND, CINDY, TEPPER, PAULA, LAURA TAYLOR, NORMA K., JOHN
TOVAR, TERRI SMITH AND ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE HELPED OR WE HAVE EXPLOITED ALONG THE WAY. YOU SPOONFED US SATURDAY MORNING MOUTHFULS OF MAGGOTS
AND LIES DISGUISED IN YOUR SUGARY BREAKFAST CEREALS. THE
PLATES YOU MADE US CLEAN WERE FILLED WITH YOUR FEARS. THESE
THINGS HAVE HARDENED IN OUR SOFT PINK BELLIES. WE ARE WHAT
YOU HAVE MADE US. WE HAVE GROWN UP WATCHING YOUR
TELEVISION. WE ARE A SYMPTOM OF YOUR CHRISTIAN AMERICA, THE
BIGGEST SATAN OF ALL. THIS IS YOUR WORLD IN WHICH WE GROW.
AND WE WILL GROW TO HATE YOU. © 1994 NOTHING/INTERSCOPE RECORDS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

© 1994 BEAT UP YOUR MOM MUSIC/EMERALD FOREST MUSIC PUBLISHING. LYRICS USED BY PERMISSION.

Cover gallery

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  Front cover
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  Back cover
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  Disc
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  Inlay
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  Traycard
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  Booklet, page 1
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  Booklet, page 2
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  Booklet, page 3
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  Booklet, page 4
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  Booklet, page 5
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  Booklet, page 6
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  Booklet, page 7
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  Booklet, page 8
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  Booklet, page 9
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  Booklet, page 10
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  Vinyl front cover
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  Vinyl back cover
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  Vinyl disc
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  Vinyl insert

Charting positions

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1995	Top Heatseekers	35

Trivia

Scott Putesky, better known as Daisy Berkowitz, recording guitar for the album at Criteria Studios.

• 2 minutes and 29 seconds into "Get Your Gunn", there is a sample of a crowd murmuring and a gun shot. This is the audio from the conference in which Bud Dwyer committed suicide in front of an audience during a press conference.
• Marilyn Manson created the clay sculpture on the cover of the album.
• Although there are technically no hidden tracks on the album, there is some additional audio a few seconds after the end of last track, "Misery Machine". The sample, "Go home to your mother! Doesn't she ever watch you!? Tell her this isn't some Communist day-care center! Tell your mother I hate her! Tell your mother I hate you!" is spoken by Mink Stole from the John Waters 1977 film "Desperate Living". After this, a telephone can be heard ringing very quietly for several minutes, which is then followed an irate answering machine message, presumably from a parent of a Manson fan.
• Bassist Gidget Gein was fired after the production of this album.
• Daisy Berkowitz helped compose music for all of the songs except "Prelude (The Family Trip)" and "Sweet Tooth".
• Roli Mosimann was the original producer of the album, however due to the direction the album was taking the band felt his production was not what they were looking for and Trent Reznor took over the producer role while Mossiman was credited as the engineer.
• "Snake Eyes and Sissies" was originally planned as the lead single but never released; "Get Your Gunn" was released instead. It also was originally 5:09, and had extra lyrics.
• The album's original title was The Manson Family Album.
• The phrase "We gotta ride to the Abbey of Thelema" in the song "Misery Machine" is a reference to Aleister Crowley's Abbey of Thelema, which was used as the Headquarters from which the doctrines of Thelema would be spread throughout the world.
• The song "Filth" was deleted from the album prior to release, and this Reznor-produced version has never been officially released.
• The track "My Monkey" borrows certain lyrics from a Charles Manson song called "Mechanical Man"; the lyrics of "My Monkey" are credited simply to "Manson". It's also different than the version on Big Black Bus.
• The words "Go on, smile you cunt" at the beginning of "Cake and Sodomy" are spoken by Marlon Brando, taken from the 1973 film Last Tango in Paris.
• The screams and garbled voices at the beginning of "Wrapped in Plastic" are sampled from the final episode of Twin Peaks. It also recycles lyrics from another Manson song, "I.V.-T.V.".
• There was a [[1994/06/29 Fort Lauderdale, FL|release party for the album, which was held in Fort lauderdale, Florida on June 29th, 1994.

Personnel

• Daisy Berkowitz – guitars
• Twiggy Ramirez – live bass (in an often misunderstood pun, Twiggy is listed in album artwork as "base tendencies", due to the fact that Gidget Gein played bass on the album)
• Madonna Wayne Gacy – calliope, Hammond organ, saxophone, theremin, brass, overdubs, loops, backing vocals
• Sara Lee Lucas – drums, sound effects
• Marilyn Manson – vocals, producer, brass, loops, artwork
• Gidget Gein – bass
• Trent Reznor – producer, executive producer, digital editing, programming, mixing, brass, guitar
• Chris Vrenna – percussion, programming, assistant engineer
• Hope Nichols – saxophone, vocals
• Charlie Clouser – drums, drum programming, editing
• Robert Pierce – speaking
• Sean Beavan – assistant producer, programming, digital editing, mixing, bass, brass
• Alan Moulder – assistant producer, engineer, mixing
• Roli Mosimann – engineer
• Brian Pollack – assistant engineer
• Mark Gruber – assistant engineer
• Barry Goldberg – assistant engineer
• Brian Scheuble – assistant engineer
• Marc Freegard – mixing
• Tom Baker – mastering
• Wade Wright – mood lighting
• Chris Meyer – live sound
• Albert Sgambati – tattoos
• Donovan Stringer – tattoos
• Robin Perine – photography
• Jeffrey Weiss – photography
• Gary Talpas – packaging
• Frank Callari – management
• John Tovar – management
• Sioux Z. – publicity
• Robin Finck – synthesis, keyboards (uncredited; however Manson confirmed his work on the album)
• Melissa Romero – performance