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Satan is just alright >> Electric Hellfire Club's Thomas Thorn on the horn by JOHNSON CUMMINS
"Being a Satanist is not about wearing black and going to a Marilyn Manson concert--obviously it runs far deeper than that," explains Thomas Thorn, appointed priest of the Church of Satan and EHC's main man. "Satanism is about strength and power and when this country legislates morality by using the Bible, I get very offended. I'm fighting to stop that." Thorn has gone head to head with radio evangelist Bob Larsen three times and has managed to put the fear of God (or someone) into Mr. Larsen's trailer park listenership, getting Bob's goat through being very well spoken and knowledgeable on the subject of Satanism. Throughout our conversation Thomas conducts himself well and doesn't seem like your typical garden variety Slayer-head. "I actually respect Bob Larsen quite a bit," says Thomas, "because at least he can see a direct correlation between what he does and what I do." The Electric Hellfire Club don't sound like your typical Satanic band playing at the speed of light with a vocalist moaning unintelligibly. Instead, the Hellfire Club choose to combine industrial, pop and metal in a sound they can truly call their own. "A lot of people think that Satanic music has to sound like a jet taking off. Not all of our songs sound dark and diabolical--some of them are catchy pop. I just got a tape from a Satanic band that is folk music, but the lyrics deal with Satanic philosophies." No matter where you sit on the Marilyn Manson fence you have to admit they have singlehandedly put Satan on the charts with a bullet. The Electric Hellfire Club could be next. "Marilyn Manson have definitely turned Satanism into a youth culture phenomenon and have really opened it up for the rest of us." As Thomas is talking to me from his home in Kenosha, Wis., I can't help but think that his invitations to neighbours' Tupperware parties will become a rarity once they find out he is a priest in the Church of Satan. "Actually we're really liked here in Kenosha," he says. "People will smile and wave at us, but there is a church across the street from me and when the congregation pass my house they always stop and do the sign of the cross before passing the house. I find it rather flattering." Electric Hellfire Club wreak havoc at Foufounes with Rhea's Obsession and What Slave on Wed., April 15, 8pm, $8.26 plus tax.
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In case you didn't know, Marilyn Manson is an appointed priest of the Church of Satan and after a quick glance through his recent biography it becomes quite clear that he may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer. This being said, let me add that after hearing some of his fans speak, he still manages to come across like a goth Stephen Hawking by comparison. Radio talk-show host Bob Larsen makes his living inviting Marilyn Manson fans on air to spout their half-baked moronic ideologies (well thought-out quotes like "I don't know Bob, I just think Satan is rad") to a fanbase of dolts and dullards who blindly applaud Bob blowing holes in them. Poor old Beelzebub has gotten a bad name and for once the fundamentalist Christians can't claim all the credit. But the Electric Hellfire Club are out to change all that.