NME has reported that convicted murderer Charles Manson has put out a new record with the assistance of Manuel Vasquez, a Los Angeles producer who raised recording funds via Kickstarter. The LP is called Just Fucking Around and plays for approximately 40 minutes, with the first run being limited to 500 copies.
For his involvement in producing and promoting the Manson record, Vasquez had been met with public scorn from those who are outraged that Manson, who is imprisoned for his involvement in a series of murders in Los Angeles in 1969, should be allowed to release and potentially profit from his music.
“I’ve gotten some hate mail from it. There are people not appreciating the release of music by him. People say they don’t understand why I’d want to associate myself with this or why I would be interested in releasing it,” Vasquez explained to the LA Times.
As for the quality and targeted demographic of the record, Vasquez has described the record as “really low-fi, mono.” and went on to admit, “I don’t think there was ever a chance for mass popularity of his music. Most people won’t like it. It probably requires an acquired taste.”
The material on Just Fucking Around originates from music Manson made during the 1980s while at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. Despite the hate mail, Vasquez says Manson’s album is moving swiftly.
“They’re going so fast I may have to do a second pressing.”
Not to be outdone, Australian criminal turned ‘musician’ Chopper Read has recently signed a record deal with Shock with plans of releasing an album of prison-inspired ballads.
Watch: Anton Newcombe of the The Brian Jonestown Massacre talks about recording with Charles Manson.
