GLENN DANZIG: 'I Allowed' NORTH SIDE KINGS Frontman To Hit Me

In the May 2011 issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Glenn Danzig was asked about the widely circulated video clip from 2004 (see below) where NORTH SIDE KINGS singer and frequent SOULFLY collaborator Danny Marianino confronts Glenn backstage because Danny's band didn't get to play at one of DANZIG's gigs before Glenn shoves him and ends up getting punched out by Marianino. To this day, there are those who are surprised that someone with Danzig's martial-arts training should have been so easily knocked down.

"I allowed it to happen," Glenn told Metal Hammer. "Why? Because there are always those looking to goad you into hitting them so they can sue you. It happens to public figures all the time. It's a way of life."

Speaking to Spin magazine in 2007, Danzig elaborated on his reasons for avoiding a full-on physical altercation with Marianino. "No one asks, 'Why did you push him instead of nailing him right in the face?' 'Cause there's a camera rolling!" he said. 'I have so many friends who've lost tons of money from that setup, punching people and getting sued. One of my guys a long time ago worked for GUNS N' ROSES and he told me, 'You're lucky you've never been sued.' He said Duff McKagan would go into these clubs, and a guy would have a friend there with a camera: 'Hey, GUNS N' ROSES pussy!' [Strikes fist against palm, mimicking a punch] And they'd walk out. Next day, million-dollar lawsuit."

When asked about the incident in a 2006 interview with KNAC.COM, Danzig said, "I know they (the NORTH SIDE KINGS) milked it (the video) for all they could. But that was two years ago. I don't know how much good it ended up doing for them. Are they even still around? The only people who keep bringing it up are you people (music hacks). And, yes, I am sick of talking about it. But the people who have always liked me probably still like me, the people who hate me probably still hate me. It didn't change anything."

In a July 2004 statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Danny Marianino explained the circumstances that led to his confrontation with Danzig. "NORTH SIDE KINGS were to play with DANZIG [on July 3, 2004] in Tuba City, Arizona," he said.

"To make a long story short, the whole show was a disaster and a few bands got bumped off. Mr. Danzig (or his management??) refused to push back the original scheduled time slot so NORTH SIDE KINGS and RAPID FIRE would have to play 'after' his set. Whatever — we agreed to play later because we drove 6 hours and didn't feel like going home without playing.

"Needless to say, as soon as DANZIG was finished, the venue turned on the lights and DANZIG's crew and the staging company began to take the stage apart almost instantly. I confronted Mr. Danzig backstage while he was signing autographs and told him I thought he was an asshole because of his 'rock star' attitude and no consideration towards the FEW other bands that got bumped off tonight. In a fit of rage he turned around and slammed me into the wall yelling 'Fuck you, motherfucker,' trying to be a big, tough guy in front of his fans. I, in self-defense, punched him in the face, knocking him out as he was attacking me again. He went down, bleeding from his mouth, eyes rolled back, and in shock that he got knocked to the floor so quickly.

"A friend happened to tape the entire incident and this is all documented. Many witnesses saw him attack me, and I did what any man would do.

"It was unfortunate that this went the way it did — and I hoped Glenn Danzig learned a valuable lesson tonight: Do not lay your hands on anyone unless you can handle what may happen.

"I apologize for nothing, except for the poor little kids that had to witness this big asshole get his ass kicked in a matter of seconds..."