Doppelganger: Inside the mind of Robert Bang

Robert Bang: "I know life can seem unbearable and we can feel as if we aren't good enough for the world, but here's a personal quote from yours truly. May it help you see things from a different perspective."Things aren't always what we want them to be, because the world isn't perfect and neither are we."

Who says beauty is only skin deep?

When i intially came in contact with Robert Bang i had to do a double take.... On the one hand he is seen as an ambitious alternative model, and on the other he is an intellectual commentator who is not afraid to expose personal elements of his life; a paradox. In a frank and soul exposing interview he reveals the man under the elusive alias Robert Bang. Robert comes to terms with his past, the present and hopes for his future.

Born as Robert Lee Cooper, in Portsmouth, Ohio on Decemeber 4th 1984 currently resides in Dallas, Texas. His style of modelling leans towards the dark alternative side. An alternative model who has been hailed as Manson's doppleganger.

Robert took some time out of his busy schedule for an exclusive interview.

What is your earliest childhood memory?

Robert: My earliest childhood memory is being 3 or 4 years of age, jumping up and down on my bed wearing a Superman t-shirt and pretending i could fly.

Explain you persona in 10 words. Robert: Marilyn Manson and David Bowie had a baby with Satan.

What type of kid were you in High School?

Robert: I was a very versatile kid in high school. I hungout with the freaks, geeks, and weirdos. I felt accepted and at home with those kids, while the jocks, preps, and elitist social types treated me like an outcast.

I've looked at the website, the bio section area. Turns out yourself and Brian Warner have quite a few things in common journalism, oddities in things you like to collect. Tell me more about the stuff you collect?

Robert: Part of my infatuation with water color art is inspired by Marilyn Manson's work, but the other part is more nostalgic.. reminiscent of the things I made in 6th grade art class.

I take it Art was use a form of escapism in a way?You've sort of managed to turn your career into an Artform. One that people seem to appreciate judging the amount of followers you've acquired.

Robert:As for oddities, such as bones, insect exoskeletons, and mannequin heads, etc. I've just always been drawn to things that hold an immortal gesture or essence. I'm not sure that makes perfect sense, but it's the best I can describe it.

I wouldn't say I have a career just yet.. but yes, I also consider what I do to be a form of art. I can shape myself (this ball of clay) into different forms, embodying Marilyn Manson, Edgar Allan Poe, The Crow, Alice Cooper, and who knows how many others, until I try. I understand the obsession with death and immortality, or death versus immortality, because we're all curious what waits on the other side of that sweet release.. but we're also afraid of letting go, or crossing the threshold to find out. A bit of post-death social anxiety I guess.

What is the story behind your name "Robert Bang" / Mister Bang? Whats your real name? Robert: In 2004, I started using the alias Build A New God, a lyric in the song 'Rock is Dead' by Marilyn Manson. Later, in 2006, when I moved to Dallas, Texas, I abbreviated the name to B.A.N.G, and later using variations such as Mr. B.A.N.G and eventually Robert Bang

What song do you think describes you best? i take it you prefer being rather elusive.

Robert: If you think I prefer being elusive, perhaps the song 'I Wanna Disappear' by Marilyn Manson would be fitting. lyrical quote: "I'm a million different things, And not one you know". I like to keep people guessing, about my character. It all comes down to perception, and everyone perceives things differently.

What made you want to persue modelling as a profession? Are there any other jobs you do besides modelling?

Robert: I never really planned to be a model or promotor. My big dream was to be a famous musician, guitarist mostly but instead i leaned towards the modelling world because i love being infront of the camera. It comes naturally compared to music and other forms of art. I've worked in other fields such as journalism, graphic design, music and more but i currently sell products online and work from home.

When did you start modelling? how did you get into it?

Robert: I started back in 2007, when it was more difficult to find local people to collaborate with, such as models, photographers, makeup artists etc. These days everyone is a "model" or "photographer" but the only ones I take seriously are the makeup artists, because they're licensed, very professional, and amazingly talented. Anyway, I got into modeling through a few friends I'd met at a night club in Dallas, because they had a few shoots and publications already. They suggested some people for me to work with and I gave it a shot.

How do you feel when you receive comments via social media from women?Is it the same public/ modelling events? Being under the "male/ female" gaze...

Robert: I think it's flattering, to an extent.. but women, just like men, can sometimes cross the line and take things to a creepy level. I won't state any examples because they may be too vulgar for this blog. In public, such as concerts, conventions, etc. I've had women lick my face, grab my ass, and other physical things that made me a bit uncomfortable, but only because I wasn't attracted to them. Now it's different if the woman is drop-dead gorgeous, according to my taste, and I'm like "damn girl!" because I'd let her touch me everywhere.

Great - so it wasn't something youd planned before hand. Were you working as a journalist around that time?

Robert: Yes, I was working as a journalist and studying under my mentor, who I'll just call B. W., for privacy purposes. I guess I wanted to switch things up a bit and be on the other side of the camera for a while, and it seems to have worked out for me.

Ethically what are you passionate about?

Robert: I'm supportive and passionate about the dark alternative culture. When I think of dark alternative, I imagine someone or something unique and beautiful for the darker, morbid, obscene qualities. Most people these days use the term alternative but it's become a modern standard, where anyone is alternative if they have tattoos or piercings or a beard. People like me are viewed as obscene, but I feel like those so-called "alternative" people are a moral injustice! It's a struggle to compete in this field so I use the term dark alternative, to separate myself from the vast abyss of that modern standard.

What was your first photo shoot and how did you feel?

Robert: I can slightly recall my first video shoot. I worked with a male photographer in Dallas Texas who at the time went by the professional name of TJ Photo Guy. It was a promotional shoot for Halo Guitar, a customer guitar company in California.

Whats the difference between Robert Bang/ Mister Bang and Robert Lee Cooper?

Robert: I'm very shy in person, but my confidence doesn't elude me. It just takes me a while to become familiar with my surroundings and the people I talk to, if they're new. I'm also a bit shy when making videos for my YouTube channel, because mentally I can already feel the audience watching me before I upload the content to the web. I'm a very sincere person, but my deep voice and struggle with facial expressions makes me seem Vulcan-esque. Sometimes people have a hard time figuring out my intentions when I speak.

How do you feel about contraversial issues in the modelling world such as the size 0 and drug abuse debates?

Robert: I think people are either envious because they want to be skinny as models like us, or presumely because they can't afford the drugs models presumably do.

What beauty tips do you swear by?

Robert: I don't swear by anything but i curse about all kinds of things. Haha - Seriously exfoliating facial cleaners are key! Followed immediatly bey daily mousteriasers with SPF (sunscreen). I look younger than i am, but i look even younger with those key elements.

Take us through your beauty regime regiment? Do you diet at all?

Robert: My natural beauty regimes are listed above, but my makeup routine is a little more involved. Once my face is nice and clean, i apply in this order:

Powder foundation

Eyeliner

Eyeshadow

Lip Liner

Lipstick

Sometimes i wear special effects contact lenses, but i put those in before my makeup routine begins. As for dieting, it isn't personally necessary since i have a high metabolism. I'm very grateful for that.

What beauty products/brands could you not live without? Robert: I don't think I could live without MAC Cosmetics or NYX Cosmetics. Both brands have so many great products and I'm versitile with my makeup styles, so they are really essential to that.

What is it about alternative fashion that appeals to you?

Robert: To me, alternative fashion is bizarre, influential, outside the box, really making you question the common or basic fashion of modern society. A few people who represent alternate fashion in the way i describe are Lady Gaga,Marilyn Manson and David Bowie, all people i admire.

Name you favourite fashion brands and clothing you couldn't live without Robert: I'm a huge fan of Lip Service, Tripp, RUDE, T.U.K., Demonia, and Alchemy England. If those brands no longer existed, I'd be stuck in a world of basic modern fashion.. in which I'd never leave the house. Haha

Are there any side projects you are currently working on?

Robert: I'm working on a few seperate projects involving cosmetics, clothing and jewellery. Nothing is certain at the moment, but it's fun so far working with different people on different projects.

Who are your idols and why? Robert: I try not to idolize anyone, because it puts them in a category only gods and goddesses belong. I do however admire a few people, for their personalities and charisma above all else. Those people are Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Elvira, Sid Haig, and Robert Englund.

Why did you choose to become a Marilyn Manson doppleganger? At times do you feel like you want to explore or go into a more "Robert-ish" venture? What's the appeal? Robert: I never really thought "One day I'm going to be Marilyn Manson's doppelganger", I just gradually evolved into it. I've been a Manson fan since I was about 12 years of age, and I started wearing full face makeup when I was about 15 years of age. That's when people around me started saying "You look like Marilyn Manson". I embraced it as a gift, because I admire Mr. Manson, and I stuck with it. I'm happy with how I look and who I look like because I'm doing as an art form.. Imitation is flattery and a statue or painting of someone is the best way to showcase that flattery, in my words. What is your favourite Manson album and why? Robert :That's a tough question to answer really, because each album Marilyn Manson as a band has released is it's own piece of art, an anthem, a storybook, something I can connect with on many different levels. Top 5 musical tracks at the moment... Robert:

1. Deep Six by Marilyn Manson

2. Out of Control by She Wants Revenge

3. Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode

4. Bloodletting by Concrete Blonde

5. Halloween by Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Describe your ideal partner? Are you a believer of sexual fluidity?

Robert: I like to creep it real as much as anyone, but creepin' it real is an art form. My ideal partner? Someone who accepts me for who I am beneath the persona, and also supports the things I'm passionate about. As for sexual fluidity, I'm not a master on the subject so all I can say is we're all animals, with the one exception of being self aware. We eat what we want and we fuck what we can... Horny like the wolf.

Okay - so when it comes to romance, would you say you're more traditional or are you more into "modern love"?

Robert:

In that case, it depends on the person. I'm selective about who I share my romantic side with.An ideal date for me would be shopping for makeup at the mall, eating at an Italian restaurant, and coming to my place to watch Tales From the Crypt.

What are your guilty pleasures?

Robert: I have many pleasures, but none I feel guilty about. I smoke cigarettes, I drink absinthe and whiskey, I have some particular fetishes (I'll keep those to myself), and I like to roleplay in the bedroom.

Did you parents/partner support your modelling endevours? Robert: My family never really liked me.. They thought I was too weird/bizarre. There are many other things I can say about how my family dislikes me, disowns me, or disapproves of my entire lifestyle, but I'll save that for an autobiography. As for partners, I'm not currently dating anyone but in the past I've had a few partners who supported what I do, and they were my motivation to keep pushing forward and reach my potential.

What has been the most difficult obstacle to overcome? Robert: Being disowned by my family has been the most difficult obstacle of my entire life. I have dreams about returning to Ohio, being greeted by my family with open arms and happy energy, then the dream turns into a nightmare where I can never leave but I'm tormented and shunned mercilessly.

What is your worst fear - (with the exception of the nightmare you mentioned) ?

Robert: My worst fear is dying alone, but in the sense that no one will remember me. Fading away without leaving a legacy is the scariest thought I've ever had.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Robert: Hopefully more successful, more experienced, and better known by people worldwide. I'm not necessarily seeking fame and fortune, but being celebrated and appreciated for my work is a great start. I have many fans/supporters already and I am extremely grateful for each and every one of them. To those fans/supporters reading this: Thank you all, for your present and future support. I love you! Thank you again, Robert, for taking the time to chat with me. One final question though, if you don't mind.. What are some of your favourite books and films? Why are they your favourites? Robert: I don't mind at all, Diane. I've had fun chatting too. Hmmm.. One of my favorite books is The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice, because her way of writing is here and there and back again, like the way my mind wonders. So it's familiar to me, but also, Lestat is such a great character. He's so passionate and raw, in-touch with his human side, though he's cursed to be a creature of the night. One of my favorite movies is a cult classic of the 1980s, A Nightmare On Elm Street, starring Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. Freddy as a character is hilarious and frightening at the same time. His puns and humor combined with his burnt face and razor-sharp fingers makes him so versatile that you can love him or fear him or both at the same time. But Freddy couldn't have done it without Robert Englund. He's a great actor, with a great sense of humor and a very friendly man. I met Robert Englund a few years back, at a horror convention in Texas. Haha, good times.

Alright, well that concludes my interview with Robert Bang. If you would like to know more about Robert check out his Official Website.