Scott Putesky - Post-Marilyn Manson Work

Post-Marilyn Manson Work

Abandoning the Daisy Berkowitz moniker in favor of his own initials SMP, Putesky began recording demos for his first solo project, Three Ton Gate was named for the massive coral gate at the entrance of the Coral Castle in Homestead, FL. A three-song demo,3x3 was his first musical undertaking post Marilyn Manson. The tape featured rough tracks written and performed entirely by Putesky, under the name Scott Mitchell(his first and middle names). Shortly thereafter, Putesky hired Tyreah James to handle the vocals for the full-length Three Ton Gate release, "Vanishing Century" based on the 3x3 demo tapes. Putesky produced James's vocals in the studio for all the basic tracks at the now defunct Digital Beach Recording Studio in Fort Lauderdale. The album was released in 1997 in limited quantities, and sold out its entire run of pressings. At the same time, Putesky was playing live shows in a whimsical side project called the Linda Blairs created by Jack Off Jill singer Jessicka as an opening act for her band's shows. The Linda Blair's featured several unknown South Florida musicians who performed cover tunes previously recorded by female fronted 80's rock bands and did several live performances dressed in drag. Three Ton Gate and the project with Tyreah soon faltered and was put aside.

In late 1998 Scott joined up with longtime Marilyn Manson collaborators Jack Off Jill, replacing departing member Ho Ho Spade and playing live guitar on their 1999 West Coast tour which lasted for only a handful of gigs. His first recorded work with the band was the 1998 EP Covetous Creature, to which he lent guitar and some production. By early 1999, SMP was no longer a member of Jack Off Jill. Putesky himself is vague, but he tells MTV News that the parting was amicable. He returned once again to Ft. Lauderdale to resume work on his own music, primarily seeking a live band to perform his Three Ton Gate material. In the meantime, he successfully sued Marilyn Manson for what he claimed were unpaid royalties for his contributions to Antichrist Superstar. In the same lawsuit, Putesky was also awarded the rights to 21 unreleased recordings by Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids.

Following his settlement with Manson, Putesky kicked around several solo and collaborative projects, including continuing to develop Three Ton Gate as a vehicle for film soundtrack work, joining the backing band of Israeli-born musician Michal Towber, and lending his songwriting skills to Washington, DC, industrial-rock band Godhead (who would later, ironically, become the first and only band on Marilyn Manson's record label, Posthuman Records). He also reestablished the Rednecks on Drugs project with friend and fellow Linda Blair contributor Rich Penny.

Eventually, Rednecks on Drugs evolved into Stuck on Evil a hard-rock band with gothic, Southern rock, and early rock & roll influences. Stuck on Evil recorded a 10-song full-length album, Suntanic, produced by Scott Putesky, in 2001. Their plan for a national tour starting in August of that year was ruined, however, by September 11 and a bone-breaking accident on the part of vocalist John Cain Riley. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, and the subsequent condemnation of "evildoers" by President George W. Bush, the band decided to drop the word evil from its name. Explained Putesky: "Stuck on Evil - it's a joke! And then nobody got the joke, and therefore it became a silly name, and all of a sudden having evil in your name wasn't so funny." Riley agreed: "With the whole nation up in arms about evildoers, it just wasn't a good name to have."

Reverting to the original name of Three Ton Gate, Putesky recorded the album Lose Your Mind for his own Scorpion Rising label in 2003.

In September 2008, it was reported that Putesky had sided with Stephen Bier (ex-Marilyn Manson keyboardist Madonna Wayne Gacy) in the latter's lawsuit against Manson. Also in his official My Space he has stated that he will have collaborations with Bier making music in 2009.

In July 2010 Putesky officially joined electro-punk band Kill Miss Pretty after collaborating with them on their single "Judy Garland". Following this the band began working on new material including a cover of the Spooky Kids' song "She's Not My Girlfriend" however this came to a premature end as Kill Miss Pretty broke up in mid-2011.

Putesky revived Three Ton Gate shortly afterwards and will be playing live under that name for the first time ever in 2011 in a series of dates across America starting in New York City on 15 October. He has also stated that the second remastered Spooky Kids compilation Deform School will be made available at these dates. It has also been confirmed by Putesky that he is working on a new Three Ton Gate album which will be called These Messages.