Have you already given them the screenshots I sent you? I’ve spoken about this publicly extensively already but got the exact same treatment you’re talking about although I have never backed down about it and never will. What he did was wrong and I’ll never forgive him for trying to involve me in the exploitation of someone else.
51
u/neverwhere616
There's a group called Sounds and Shadows on Facebook that goes along with a review blog. I was friends with the guy that started it until he chose Jim over one of the mods that was very vocal about this shit. Fuck Jim Marcus.
36
u/Jonathan-Strang3
Who?
31
u/whitlash
Here’s the question that’s always bothered me- I’m absolutely vibrating with fury from my hair to my toenails that he tried to make me part of exploiting this woman. So… where is all the fury from all the men he turned into r*pists? Who allegedly thought this was consensual but now know it definitely wasn’t? Why aren’t they lining up to give statements to the cops? Seems like they should be angrier than me and yet… crickets this whole time.
30
u/adrianhalo
I’ve been trying to gather my thoughts ever since I saw this post.
There is a lot about my [former] connection to Jim that might not be so easy to explain, but I will try.
I’ll start by saying I’m a musician- I am the frontman and for the most part sole performer on my studio albums. I have a handful of friends in Chicago who I still consider my live band even though I moved away almost a year ago. I doubt you’ve heard of my band and that’s fine, this is just for context. So anyway, I first started talking to Jim on Facebook when I was still living in LA in the fall of 2018. I had taken a long break from the scene and had just started working on music, gotten back into my favorite bands, and so on. While at Cold Waves LA, I started talking to a friend who had either mentioned me to Jim (not knowing ANY of this about him, and neither did I) or maybe even sent him a few songs.
So Jim messaged me saying he was putting together a compilation to benefit trans rights (I’m transmasc and also queer) and asked if I wanted to contribute a track. As someone who’d first gotten into all the Wax Trax bands as a teen even though I was a little too young to have heard or seen them (I’m 44) in their prime, of course I was over the fucking moon about this and was like hell yeah.
So we started talking online and I sent him a few demos and he asked if I wanted to come to Chicago to record the vocals at his home studio. He said I could crash on his couch and hang for Thanksgiving. I was so nervous that at the last minute I almost canceled my flight. But to me, Chicago still represented the motherland of the industrial scene…so I went.
What’s crazy to me now is that Jane was there, and she was really anxious and seemed almost jealous that I was there. It was hard for us to work because Jim kept texting her. And I remember wondering if Jim was interested in me Like That, but decided that the music was more important, no matter what.
It honestly fucks with me so bad to think of all the expectations I had of that trip and those recording sessions, to think of how I was still early in transition and thus navigating all that uncertainty. Including literally finding my voice. Showing up on his doorstep in my Wax Trax hoodie and my Pigface shirt.
Thanksgiving was fun. I met one of the engineers who worked on a couple of my favorite Sister Machine Gun albums, and their former guitarist (Xmas) actually played a few parts on my songs, which was amazing. I met a few other people who later would end up being my friends and bandmates when I moved there.
I got back to LA and felt like things would start taking off for me with my band. I began to consider Jim a close friend and we talked a lot. And then by the following year, I decided to move there. I had visited for Cold Waves and it just felt right. There were things about LA that just weren’t working for me and I felt like this would be the first time that I moved someplace because of the people there.
I left for Chicago in late February of 2020. So, yeah. There was that. In spite of this, I started building a life for myself. And Jim was a huge part of that up until about 2023. And what really breaks my fucking heart in hindsight is that it wasn’t all bad. Sometimes a couple of his bandmates and friends would come hang out and they’d all tell stories about Chicago Trax and Warzone and all the bands. All the albums I loved. I felt like maybe I’d finally met the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
I was there when he and Jane broke up for good and I used to hang out with the three of them (she often brought her son over). I was there when he was hosting that kid in his garage. I met his kids, I was often there around holidays because I didn’t have family in the area, and while we were just friends, we were often affectionate with each other and he said he was attracted to me. So basically I got sucked in.
I was there when he had his hip replacement surgery and prior to this, was barely mobile and in a massive amount of pain, so I often ended up cleaning the house and going over there just to keep him company. For most of late 2020-early 2023, I was over there at least once a week.
And I started to just feel really…confused. For anyone else with ADHD who has experienced limerence, basically hyper focus on a person…it’s horrible. It’s exhausting and embarrassing. There were absolutely times where I acted fucking crazy because I felt so messed up about everything. He would ignore me and spend all night texting or on Fetlife. I was sort of like this weird platonic rebound to Jane in a way, and he had major Shiny Object syndrome.
And then one day I was seemingly replaced by this woman he had played with several years back and gotten back in touch with on Fetlife. He became pretty obsessive about her. Never mind his professed attraction to me and the simultaneous insistence that it would ruin our friendship to do anything about it- our friendship was already ruined.
28
u/Jazzlike_Property_68
I'm aghast to hear this. I've loved his music since I was a kid, but this is news to me. Do you have any sources that you could give us for the previous accusers?
28
u/Specialist_Spot_3471
This is Jim’s second ex wife. I will fully support any young lady or man that has been harmed by my ex. It wasn’t the first and it won’t be the last. He is a covert narcissist that prays on those he considers weak. His joy comes from sitting at a computer pretending he attract someone, pretending he is some sort of dungeon master. Arguing with people online and braking people around him when it suites him. I’m not sure if there are any specific questions for me but I’m happy to share the hell that was my life for nearly a decade. He got his friends to believe the divorce was me trying to steal his money but the man is broke af. He can make money but he never has any. He spends it all on sex stuff presents to lure in younger people .
My worst experience was when I was with a 19 yr old friend from school and Jim just outed us without a conversation then invited her to a dungeon all whil we WORKED TOGETHER! It was humiliating the young friend was never to be seen from again after too. He was always trying to bring in 18-19year olds. By the time I hit thirty he disagreed me. He already had like 5 new girls. He called my family members and would tell them he is so worried about me… when he wouldn’t even make eyecontact fuck that pos.
27
u/DivaMissZ
Once again, we find out that a respected public personality is in fact a sick fuck. I’m so tired of people like Cosby and Gaiman, whose work I loved, I can’t stand anymore because I know they were created by people who are morally corrupt. And it seems to happen more and more. I swear to goodness that I’m going to wake up one day, find out that Keanu Reeves runs an illicit cat juggling ring, and shove my head into a vat of pudding because there’s no hope left
25
u/s1l1c0n3
Jesus fuck. This really makes me violently ill.
Jane, if you are reading this… I hope you know none of it was your fault. You were manipulated by a serial abuser. I hope you get both the help you need and the justice and vindication that you deserve
25
u/Milkfixer
Faith Marcus tried to tell everyone when they broke up. Something has always smelled. This is so very fucked.
23
u/maliciousorstupid
Wow - first I've heard of any of this.
Met him a few times many years ago and he seemed like a good dude, but certainly didn't know him well enough to make a judgement here. If even a fraction of this is true - yikes.
23
u/wakarat
“All Good Girls” seems much creepier now.
23
u/coupdelune
I love Die Warzau's music but I must say from interviews I've read with him he always came across as fucky. This confirmation is just depressing. Fuck him.
I hope his victims get the help and support they need.
22
u/Specialist_Spot_3471
100% I can confirm his way of being as it took me ten years to see him but the mask fell and I did I saw him. Happy to help if someone can let me know how. The being given away at sex parties without getting to have a say and if you try to have a say it’s an argument. His constant cheating bc he is always online looking for a new supply. He is a covert narcissist that pray on young ppl not just women.
21
u/LockedOutOfElfland
Holy shit.
Just a few months ago I remember reading a social media post from his partner about how "he's one of the few guys in this scene that actually treats women with respect", et cetera
I can't get that out of my head after seeing this.
20
u/Vile_Grifter
I just want to express my sympathy for the survivors of this abuse, and admiration for them and everyone else coming forward to try and break this circle of fear and silence.
19
u/Maleficent_Energy_55
Jesus, the nightmare that poor human was put through. I’ll never be able to listen tonDie Warzaw again and hope that enough people can step forward to shine light on the abuse.
EDIT: Just deleted all the Die Warzau and Go Fight albums from my collection. I’m bummed I was a supporter for Go Fight on Bandcamp as long as I was.
19
u/FiDRaT2016
Really shocked to read this post. I worked with Jim when he lived in Boston. We always got along, but he was always very “amorous” with both female and male colleagues, more than would be appropriate in a work setting. Aside from that, I never witnessed anything to this level. I hope Jane gets the help and support she needs. No one needs to be treated like that. I will also be cutting ties with Jim on social media. Truly shameful.
17
u/unsoundamerica
This was a painful thing to read and then reflect on. May the victims find peace and healing.
17
u/phillyperoxide
I’m very sorry and disturbed to read about “Jane” (who I don’t actually know from reading this), but I am here to comment about SLS, as this seems to be turning into a smear campaign about her rather than the actions of Jim Marcus or the victim “Jane” (which seems to be Lengua_Acida’s intention here)…
Sarah is one of my dearest friends who I’ve known for 20 years. She has *not* enabled or protected Jim- and the accusation of him being an abuser is actually news to me. Although I am of course aware of him and his bands, I am not his friend and I don’t personally speak with him in-person or interact with him online.
Regarding the safety of the Chicago scene with Jim- I literally only see him once a year at a specific event, which is Cold Waves. He does not attend Sarah’s events, nor mine- though I suppose I can’t say anything about others that I don’t attend on a regular basis.
Sarah has always made the safety of our scene a top priority. I’ve learned a lot from her over the years and her dedication to keeping this scene alive, vibrant and most importantly, safe. She actively keeps predators away when made aware, as do I. I know for a fact that people can vouch for that, as we’ve made other venues / promoters aware of banned individuals for other events we’ve been a part of. We clearly would never support an abuser like this and would ban them when this knowledge was brought to our attention.
I cannot speak more highly of Sarah as a genuinely lovely, caring, passionate person who wants the best for our community. This is a person that I’ve spent time with over many years not only working in nightclubs, but for weeks at a time in tour vans, hotel rooms- you get the idea.
I also want to acknowledge that I *never received this e-mail* if it actually exists and I have been actively putting on events myself in the goth scene in Chicago for 15+ years.
17
u/quaffi0
Who?
16
u/ILikeCatsAndSquids
This whole thread has me so over the Chicago industrial and goth scene. It’s not just Jim Marcus, it’s a whole cesspool of assholes and egomaniacs who never grew up.
15
u/razorbladesalad
He is absolutly a piece of garbage. I have seen the fallout from his treatment of women first hand and heard stories about how fucking creepy he is towards them for years. Also dont forget his connections to other creepy ass men. Genesis Silva used to live with him (and was just convicted of beheading a woman). Anyone who had to proclaim how safe they are as often as Jim does is absolutly not.
I call it the problematic male circle jerk, the way they protect each other and keep each other relevant.
15
u/Msefk
There is a small but dangerous powerful circuit of .... lecherous people protecting each other . and hurting anyone who goes against any one of them.
edit: and i hate all of these awful controllers , grey forces indeed
15
u/Outside-Mushroom-818
Since I've gotten older, I don't keep up with the particulars and gossip of my generations past. Having said that, I spent my late teens; early 20's during the zenith of Wax Trax! So. As I got older and don't keep up with the news. I came into Die Wazau after Wax Trax! Filed for bankruptcy; bought and destroyed by TVT. Though I never cared for politics of personality. I saw a video of Jim Marcus ranting about environmental shortcoming. I thought to myself as I had with the musical heroes I grew up with. It's better if your heroes keep their mouths shut and retire without words. Having opened my Reddit page up, this was the first story on my feed. WTF? is all I can say. It's time for the Chicago Industrial contingent to spit this clown out and expose him and his crimes in a serious light. Trade the repulsion of Jeffery Epstein's crimes and apply to Jim Marcus. The circumstances are identical. Seriously, folks. Time to shut this sexual abuse out and expose those who perpetrate it.
I have always been curious about DWs song, 'All Good Girls.' Perhaps a relevatory song?
14
u/YellowBeaverFever
I didn’t know who he was. I knew Die Warzau, seen them a few times, never liked them. Never bought an album. This story is messed up.
14
u/master_of_sockpuppet
Never heard of him, never liked Die Warzau.
However: this sort of social closure and protectionism is exactly why “scenes” are almost always bad news.
14
u/Specialist_Spot_3471
There was a time when I was part of the BDSM community. Jim had asked me if I have boundaries, I had two hard limits due to previous trauma. One was no taking a belt to my chest. And the other was that I do not sleep with brown men, again due to previous childhood trauma. Jim not only pushed my boundary but invited a man over and set up a scene without my knowledge or consent. It was with a man we can call Drew. Drew had a dungeon and his own space but Jim brought this man to our shitty apartment at the time. I didn’t feel like I had a say, bc I already stated my boundaries to Jim. And in the moment one gets caught up in horror of it all. So my boundaries were crossed and in the most of humiliating ways bc that’s what Jim thrives on trying to humiliate others in secret. He uses NLP tactics to groom or brainwash those who are unfortunate to trust him. And it wasn’t another month or so till he tried beating my chest with a belt. Not the leather part ladies. And since it’s humiliating to you he knows you won’t share the story allowing him to always be the story writer. (Let’s be honest tho, it’s all ai with him these days)
My point is if I reach out to him today and confront him he will just repeat over and over for me to name one thing he did. Never a fucking apology not accountability. Jut tell me what did I do?! In that horribly depressed and whining eyore voice. Some of you may remember Jim’s race play parties where he again tried to have me service many men and women of color at once…. Good thing I already found him cheating on me otherwise I would have been doing more than just watching and silently suffering.
It’s not you Jane it’s who Jim is and there were several women who had nasty things to say about him when I was married to him but he always played it off calling her crazy. Man was I stupid.
I could only compare the feeling of how Jim makes ppl feel if you have seen the movie girl in a box… he was trying to get me to help him get younger more beautiful women for his sex parties. An he is not safe. The fist night we ever even had sex he told me after we were done that he didn’t wear a condom but then he immediately follows up with it’s ok, I’m clean.!!! That was terrifiying. And I was made to feel like it was no big deal. So he starts right at the beginning and then just lies to cover everything up. Pathological that one.
And for the record I had a rule to not sleep with men of color due to a really abusive step father. Not bc I dislike or hold negative feelings I just have PTSD. And that would exasperate it.
There are plenty more instances but I’m better at being asked questions. If anyone has any hit me up
13
u/Traditional_You3996
Holy crap this is terrible. I hope justice is achieved.
13
u/deadgreybird
Sobering. I didn’t expect the Chicago connection; this affects events I’ve gone to and was planning to attend in the future.
12
u/globe_thistle
Jesus. This is Sean Diddy Combs-level criminal, in fact, it's worse.
I'm so sorry, Jane. You deserve justice, and you have people's support.
Scary Lady Sarah should be f'ing canceled. What a scumbag.
12
u/midwestbreakcore
now that you finally caught Jim, can we take a minute to address psychotic Sean Payne of Cyanotic?
12
u/whitlash
I just feel so grateful that Diddy Warzau here might finally be facing some real consequences. I’ve been talking about what I witnessed for three years now and it’s been an absolute nightmare. I’m so glad everyone was finally able to get in one place and tell the truth.
11
u/Tyrs-Ranger
No idea who this guy was, though I probably heard the name in passing at least once. I skimmed the novels here. Fuck this guy. Maybe he’ll have a hideous accident involving a wood chipper.
11
u/EgoCraven
Huh....obviously reserving judgement but it's pretty surreal reading this about a person I've exchanged messages and the odd intimate photograph with. Bit of a nasty feeling. Seemed lovely frankly, I mostly knew him through his fetlife writings rather than music. Obviously that's not really relevant but....still not a nice feeling if thus stuff's true.
10
u/Moranimal2
I imagine Jim’s theory that “there’s no such thing as cancel culture” will be put to a well-deserved test.
I heard he has updated his MeToo hashtag to read #BelieveWomenExceptThem.
10
u/Any_Sport3353
Here is something concrete you can go home with: the debut GOFIGHT album literally has a picture of Faith Kroll’s ass branded with the band logo he designed. Please unpack this public display of ownership at your own leisure
10
u/Odd_Improvement_6501
I’m going to delete that fuck on my social media and block. Uptick this after you have done the same! Block Him - Jim Marcus.
9
u/Odd_Improvement_6501
I went to his house for a minute to pick up a friend. There was food and I happened to notice all the glass buttplugs in the shower window by the kitchen. Like you’re having company over and that’s a normal thing and all - but no class - just indicator of what’s to come next? It’s bothered me and I’m no prude. I don’t want say when it was, but within the last 5 years. Too many red flags. Run current partner!! You’re too pretty for him anyway.
9
u/jonathanfv
Didn't know about Die Warzau, but seriously, fuck Jim Marcus. Anyone truly against all forms of oppression will also be a person who'll make sure to avoid being put in a position where they can exploit others, as well as avoid others becoming completely dependent on them. Anything other than that is hella suspicious.
Jim Marcus is a piece of shit.
9
u/SlideLoose5008
Sarah has been on a power trip as long as I've known her. 1997. I didn't meet him until about 2010. I worked in the industry and never liked him. He just gave me the feeling that he was a scammer in sone aspect. Took a few years to really see his "game". Over opinionated hypocrite and a true scumbag when it came to how he treated woman.
9
u/thecoiledone
So tired of this dude. I'm glad to see these stories getting the attention and condemnation they deserve. I have heard stories about this guy since 2013, and I'm very thankful that I never had any direct contact with him despite sharing circles in both the kink and industrial communities (probably not young enough for him, and/or he was always too busy engaging in flame wars on fetlife with my former partners lol)
I hope the many people he has harmed are able to get the support they need.
8
u/Specialist_Spot_3471
Eli23, moved to Hawaii Lilly21 disappeared, just like brondwyn who was only 19 at th time, maybe I shouldn’t even be saying their names? Idk
8
u/LAIndustrial
Not denying any victims allegations but let's see some receipts please. We have experience in shining light on cockroaches. Do us that favor and show please. Everything on this read is horrifying.
8
u/Milkfixer
What the fuck.
7
u/Nachtraaf
When people get popular enough, they get away with a lot of shit. You'd hope that in the alternative scene, people would be a little bit more wary of this, but this type of thing keeps happening over and over.
7
u/littleweirdgirl312
Are the people who partook in these parties going to be named or just Jim? It sounds like at least some of the participants knew what was going on. If they are also in the goth/industrial scene the danger reaches beyond Jim.
6
u/Angelsbreatheeasy
This is scary and makes me sad. The part about the cold waves team considering the singer from one of my favorite bands I’m pretty sure is apart of that… Can someone clarify that part?
4
u/fear730
Everyone coming here to comment please be civil if I see any Harrasment like in the other post you will be banned PERIOD.