Gwar
Encyclopedia
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal
band formed in Richmond, Virginia
, United States
, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film
inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo
themes.
Another trademark of Gwar's live show is their molesting of celebrities and figures in current events. Targets of Gwar's humor have included O. J. Simpson
, John Kerry
, Mike Tyson
, every American President since Ronald Reagan
, Jerry Garcia
, Obama Bin Laden, Michael Jackson
, Al Gore
, John McCane, Hillary Clinton, Paris Hilton
, Arnold Schwarzenegger
, Adolf Hitler
, Lady Goggles, Jerry Springer
, Mr. Lordi, Sarah Palin
and many others. The band also makes frequent references to political and historical figures, fantasy literature
, and mythology
. For instance, the song "Whargoul" makes reference to Minas Morgul
as well as the eternal warrior of Michael Moorcock
. Gwar also has many references to H. P. Lovecraft
themes (Antarctica, Yig, Giant Penguins, Fleshy Insanities, etc.). In addition, the title of their fifth album Ragnarok comes from Norse mythology
. They were nominated for two Grammys, one for Best Metal Performance "S.F.W.
" and one for Best Long Form Music Video "Phallus in Wonderland
". The taliban also performed fire dancing
until the character "Slymenstra Hymen
" left the band.
that often staged mini-plays and used crude props to punctuate their often ridiculous music. Bands would occasionally practice in a room at the Richmond Dairy, a deserted bottling plant that had been taken over by hippies. The hippies rented out interior areas to various artists and musicians. It was at the Richmond Dairy that Death Piggy
met Hunter Jackson (Techno Destructo
) and Chuck Varga (Sexecutioner
), both attendees of Virginia Commonwealth University
who had set up "The Slave Pit", a production space for Scumdogs of the Universe, a movie they intended to make. Jackson would create props for Death Piggy to use on stage. Brockie had an idea to use the costumes made for "Scumdogs of the Universe" and have Death Piggy open for themselves as a barbaric band from Antarctica, playing nonsense songs while sacrificing fake animals. The name of the joke group was "Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh". Death Piggy began noticing that more people were coming to see Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh and leaving immediately after the set. After a several refinements, including shortening the band's name, Death Piggy was phased out in favor of band now named Gwar.
The first known line-up for Gwar consisted of Ben Eubanks (vocals), Dave Brockie (guitar), Steve Douglas (guitar), Chris Bopst (bass guitar), Sean Sumner (Drums) and Hunter Jackson. However, this line-up was short-lived and would suffer multiple changes in the following months, with Ben Eubanks quitting after just one or two shows and being replaced by Joe Annaruma, who went on to record several demo tracks with the band. Annaruma soon quit and was replaced by Dave Brockie. The band solidified into a line-up consisting of Hunter Jackson, Don Drakulich, Chuck Varga, Mike Delaney, Mike Bonner, Scott Krahl, Dave Musel and Dave Brockie. Mike Delaney would leave in 1987. Dewey Rowell (Flattus Maximus
), Michael Bishop (Beefcake the Mighty
) and Rob Mosby (Nippleus Erectus
) were recruited in 1987, along with Steve Douglas (Balsac the Jaws of Death
) who rejoined the band after having previously left. Danielle Stampe (alias: Slymenstra Hymen) joined sometime in 1988 and toured consistently with the band until 2002. The band has also recruited, and lost, three other female members: The Temptress (Heather Broome, 1986), Amazina, Gwar Woman (Colette Miller, 1986–87) and Gwar Woman (Lisa Harrelson, 1987–88).
The band's debut album, Hell-O
, a crossover heavy metal
/punk rock
album, was released in 1988 under Shimmy Disc Records
. The band started touring in support of the album, with Steve Douglas leaving that same year, later to form the alternative band Log, and being replaced by current rhythm guitarist, Michael Derks, who took over Douglas' alias as Balsac the Jaws of Death.
However, the band's line-up would undergo further changes before 1990. In 1988, the Slave Pit saw the joining of Bob Gorman, a young, new artist who would help with the art design and fabrication aspects of the band. One year later, in 1989, Rob Mobsy left the band and was replaced by Pete Luchter, who also quit to be replaced temporarily by Jim Thompson, who had been in the band prior to the release of Hell-O. Thompson later quit and was replaced by Brad Roberts who has since portrayed Jizmak Da Gusha
.
. The album met a moderately large mainstream success and would mark the start of a career under the Metal Blade Records
record label. The band would tour extensively in support for this album, releasing the Live from Antarctica
VHS tape in July 1990, containing, amongst other things, the band's first music video for the song Sick of You
. It was shortly after the video's release when the Slave Pit took in another new, young artist, Matt Maguire, to help out with costume fabrication, as well as illustrations for comics and such.
In August 1990, Michael Derks had a daughter leading him to take a short break from the band. Barry D'live Ward from the band Rich Kids on LSD filled in on guitar as Balsac on Gwar's 1991 European tour. Upon returning home, Gwar filmed their first cameo in a mainstream film, Mystery Date
.
Scumdogs of the Universe
was originally released through the U.K. label Master before being picked up by Metal Blade in 1991. In the group's hunt for a larger label, they auditioned for Relativity Records
, one of the larger independent heavy metal labels. The group killed their audition when they showed up in costume and Slymenstra Hymen broke a blood capsule from her codpiece
onto one of the office chairs, simulating menstruation.
The band suffered further line-up changes during this period, with Dewey Rowell leaving the band in 1991 and not being replaced until 1992 by Pete Lee, after the recording of America Must Be Destroyed
. During this period, Gwar was (temporarily) banned in North Carolina
because Brockie was wearing his "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" prosthetic penis, which led to his arrest; this incident was the inspiration for Gwar's third album, America Must Be Destroyed, released in 1992. The album was accompanied by the movie Phallus in Wonderland
, which documented the main concept and contained music videos for the album. Phallus in Wonderland was nominated for a Grammy Award
in 1993. After recording for This Toilet Earth
was completed, bassist Mike Bishop left the band. He was replaced by Casey Orr, from the band Rigor Mortis
.
This Toilet Earth was released on 1994, to moderate success. The album received additional attention due to controversy surrounding ""B.D.F.", a song that graphically refers to subjects such as sodomy, necrophilia, pre-natal rape, pedophilia and mutilation. 1994 also saw the music videos for "Saddam a Go-Go" and "The Road Behind" being aired on Beavis and Butt-head
This would also mark the beginning of the band straying from their trademark sound, as the album contained several experimental songs as opposed to the heavy metal heard on the previous two albums.
In 1995, Gwar released Ragnarok, an album characterized by a unique sound, including the use of keyboards, something largely unseen before by the band, as well as a much larger use of secondary vocalists. The record is considered to have been largely unnoticed after the success of the last three albums. Despite this, the band would record two videos for the album, "Surf of Syn" and "Meat Sandwich" as well as release Rendezvous with RagNaRok
to support the album's plot through footage from the supporting tour.
The band's first side project, X-Cops
, would also come to life after the Ragnarok tour, releasing their only full length album, You Have the Right to Remain Silent...
, the same year.
The band's next record would come out in 1997 under the name Carnival of Chaos
, proving to be the epitome of this experimental period containing songs from many different genres, including the classic Heavy Metal
, but also hard rock
, country
, and even jazz
. Shortly after the release of Carnival of Chaos, select members of the Gwar ensemble appeared on The Jerry Springer Show
to discuss the growing trend of "shock rock" and their role as entertainers. Aside from their appearance on The Joan Rivers Show
, this guest appearance is still recognized as one of their most infamous bits on national TV.
Carnival of Chaos would be the last album with Pete Lee on guitar, being replaced by Tim Harriss who had previously been in the band around 1986 and was featured as a guest guitarist on America Must Be Destroyed
. For the recording of We Kill Everything
between late 1998 and early 1999, Michael Bishop
would temporarily rejoin the band as the bassist during the absence of Casey Orr. The record, largely influenced by punk rock
, is the band's least favorite album and thus its songs are rarely played live.
Following this, co-founder Hunter Jackson left the group in 2000 to focus on personal projects. Danielle Stampe left the band to focus on a personal project named Girly Freakshow; however, she rejoined the band temporarily for the Bitch Is Back tour in 2002.
Due to the band's distaste for the previous album, Gwar's sound changed considerably for the next recording. With Tim Harriss gone, Zach Blair was hired to fill his spot as Flattus Maximus
, Casey Orr also having returned to the band as Beefcake the Mighty
for the recording of the band's first entirely thrash metal
album in years: Violence Has Arrived
, released on November 6, 2001, the album being seen as a "comeback" of sorts and setting off changes that resulted in the current state of the band. Violence Has Arrived was, however, the band's last album on Metal Blade Records
, with the band leaving the label soon after the recording and releasing of it.
In 2002 Zach Blair left Gwar to form the power-pop band Armstrong along with drummer Brad Roberts. The band released one album titled Dick the Lionhearted.
As the band focused on a heavier, more brutal sound near the end of this period, it would also result in the creation of another side project, the Dave Brockie Experience
, a band created by frontman Dave Brockie along with rhythm guitarist Mike Derks and drummer Brad Roberts
as a way of continuing the comedic sound found on albums like We Kill Everything
while maintaining a more serious focus in releases by Gwar. They released their first LP on March 20, 2001, Diarrhea of a Madman
.
This was not the end of Gwar's new focus on heavy sound, as was proven with the release of Violence Has Arrived by their most successful album in several years, War Party
in 2004 on their new record label, DRT Entertainment
. The album met with a large underground success, as it followed the same path Violence Has Arrived did, but this time with a more serious and technical edge, partially thanks to the efforts of new lead guitarist Cory Smoot (Flattus Maximus
) and bass guitarist Todd Evans (Beefcake the Mighty
). Videos were released for "Bring Back the Bomb" and "War Party," and the band was invited to play on the Sounds of the Underground
tour in 2005. That same year the band released Live from Mt. Fuji
, the band's first live album besides the then extremely rare You're All Worthless and Weak
, released in 2000 (and re-released in 2006) on Slave Pit Records
.
Gwar began work on their next album, tentatively titled Go to Hell!, in January 2006. That same month, Gwar opened a gallery show called "The Art of Gwar" at Art Space gallery in Richmond to display the many props, costumes, cartoons, paintings produced by The Slave Pit, Gwar's art and effects studio.
On February 23, 2006, Gwar's official website announced Gwar's album, officially titled Beyond Hell
, for which, at the urging of DRT Entertainment
, a cover version of Alice Cooper
's "School's Out
" was recorded and released. The music video, was directed by David Brodsky on July 2, 2006. The part of the "school marm" has been mistakenly identified as Devin Townsend, the producer of the "Beyond Hell" CD. It is actually Scott Krahl, a long-time Gwar "slave" and inventor of Gor-Gor. "School's Out" was nominated for Best Video of 2006 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.
The Blood Bath and Beyond DVD was released on June 20, 2006, containing exclusive behind the scenes and vintage footage of the band.
Gwar performed a special "half-time" show at the Sounds Of The Underground
2006 tour. Gwar went on to headline the following year's Sounds of the Underground Tour in 2007.
Vocalist Oderus Urungus
is also featured on the last Strapping Young Lad
album The New Black
as a guest vocalist on the song "Far Beyond Metal". Oderus' lines in the song are taken directly from the Gwar song "Maggots" ("now in the halls of the Necrolord…" etc.). Scott Krahl is in the "School's Out" video as a female teacher, of whom Oderus makes out with and proceeds to mount at the end of the video.
Beyond Hell
was released on August 29, 2006, with Gwar touring to support the album and being helped by the creation of new props for this tour, including several characters from Beyond Hell's plot, including Jitler and Jewcifer. Gwar was also present at the third annual Rock & Shock festival from October 13 to 15 as a part of this tour.
In Spring 2008 Todd Evans left Gwar to focus efforts on his project Mobile Deathcamp. Shortly after Todd's departure, Casey Orr was confirmed to return as Beefcake the Mighty.
Sleazy P. Martini returned to the stage with Gwar during their Electile Dysfunction '08 tour.
In 2009, Gwar celebrated their 25th year as a band. Gwar's eleventh studio album, Lust in Space
, was released on August 18, 2009, through Metal Blade Records. They performed at the 2009 Gathering of the Juggalos
and toured nationwide with Lamb of God and Job for a Cowboy.
A Christmas vinyl record has been available at recent shows consisting of a new song called "Christmas Stripper Summer Weekend" and a live Hell-O Medley. The single is also available through the official Gwar website.
Oderus Urungus hosted the "Crack-a-Thon" in Brooklyn, New York at the MF Gallery in April 2010. A second Crack-A-Thon followed in 2011.
On November 9, 2010, Bloody Pit of Horror was released.
On November 3, 2011, GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot, who had portrayed Flattus Maximus since 2002, was found dead by his fellow band members in the band's tour bus as they prepared to cross the border into Manitoba
, Canada from North Dakota
. At the time of the announcement, no formal statement concerning the circumstances of his demise nor of the future of the band had been made. On November 4, Dave Brockie officially announced that the character of Flattus Maximus would be retired out of respect to Smoot.
indicates that Gwar is a shortened version of "Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh", the name the band used originally when opening up for Death Piggy
. Another incorrect view is that the name stands for "God What an Awful Racket."
Additional members
Slaves
Guitarists
Bassists
Drummers
Backing vocalists
Keyboardists
Slaves
and Nine Inch Nails
.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band formed in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
themes.
Stage performance
The Terrorist organization's characteristic costumes are generally made of foam latex, A.I.D.S., and hardened rubber. The costumes cover very little, with the rest of their bodies accentuated with JIZZ. They further their production in concert by spraying their audiences with fluids. Most of the fluids are made of water and powdered cocaine which, for the most part, flakes off or washes out easily. The thicker fluids are made from a clear seamen extract called dildo explosion which is also used in ice cream and milkshakes. Gwar does not use syrups or stage blood because they dry solid and can damage the band's costumes.Another trademark of Gwar's live show is their molesting of celebrities and figures in current events. Targets of Gwar's humor have included O. J. Simpson
O. J. Simpson
Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson , nicknamed "The Juice", is a retired American collegiate and professional football player, football broadcaster, and actor...
, John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
, Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
, every American President since Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia
Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
, Obama Bin Laden, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
, John McCane, Hillary Clinton, Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
, Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, Lady Goggles, Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer
Gerald Norman "Jerry" Springer is a British-born American television presenter, best known as host of the tabloid talk show The Jerry Springer Show since its debut in 1991...
, Mr. Lordi, Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
and many others. The band also makes frequent references to political and historical figures, fantasy literature
Fantasy literature
Fantasy literature is fantasy in written form. Historically speaking, literature has composed the majority of fantasy works. Since the 1950s however, a growing segment of the fantasy genre has taken the form of films, television programs, graphic novels, video games, music, painting, and other...
, and mythology
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
. For instance, the song "Whargoul" makes reference to Minas Morgul
Minas Morgul
Minas Morgul , also known by its earlier name of Minas Ithil , is a fictional fortified city in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth...
as well as the eternal warrior of Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
. Gwar also has many references to H. P. Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft
Howard Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
themes (Antarctica, Yig, Giant Penguins, Fleshy Insanities, etc.). In addition, the title of their fifth album Ragnarok comes from Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
. They were nominated for two Grammys, one for Best Metal Performance "S.F.W.
S.F.W.
S.F.W. is a 1994 film directed by Jefery Levy. It is based on a novel by Andrew Wellman, and stars Stephen Dorff, Jake Busey and Reese Witherspoon, in one of her first lead roles.-Plot:...
" and one for Best Long Form Music Video "Phallus in Wonderland
Phallus in Wonderland
Phallus in Wonderland was GWAR's first attempt at a commercially released, long-form movie. The plot tells the tale of GWAR's conflict with the Morality Squad, after the theft of Oderus Urungus' "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" . Meanwhile, the giant T-Rex, Gor-Gor is born and helps GWAR defeat the Morality...
". The taliban also performed fire dancing
Fire dancing
Fire dancing is a group of performance arts or disciplines that involve manipulation of objects on fire...
until the character "Slymenstra Hymen
Slymenstra Hymen
Slymenstra Hymen was Gwar's dancer and occasional singer portrayed by Danielle Stampe . She is perhaps best known for fire dancing, usually during the song "Horror of Yig." On the tours for the Carnival of Chaos album, she danced to the song "Sammy," because "Horror of Yig" often followed the...
" left the band.
Formation and debut (1984 – 1989)
Gwar is the end result of two separate projects merged into one. Dave Brockie was the vocalist for a punk band named Death PiggyDeath Piggy
Death Piggy was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1982 in Richmond, Virginia. They flourished briefly, before Dave Brockie, then their lead singer/bassist, decided to play a joke set while wearing monster costumes as an opening act for Death Piggy. This joke act would later be the basis for...
that often staged mini-plays and used crude props to punctuate their often ridiculous music. Bands would occasionally practice in a room at the Richmond Dairy, a deserted bottling plant that had been taken over by hippies. The hippies rented out interior areas to various artists and musicians. It was at the Richmond Dairy that Death Piggy
Death Piggy
Death Piggy was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1982 in Richmond, Virginia. They flourished briefly, before Dave Brockie, then their lead singer/bassist, decided to play a joke set while wearing monster costumes as an opening act for Death Piggy. This joke act would later be the basis for...
met Hunter Jackson (Techno Destructo
Techno Destructo
Techno Destructo is perhaps the most famous GWAR villain . He is played by either Hunter Jackson or Don Drakulich , though Jackson played the character for the majority of his time in GWAR...
) and Chuck Varga (Sexecutioner
Sexecutioner
Sexecutioner was a character in the band Gwar, played originally Mike Delaney, and finally by Chuck Varga from 1989 until 1995-6, with one final appearance in 2000...
), both attendees of Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
who had set up "The Slave Pit", a production space for Scumdogs of the Universe, a movie they intended to make. Jackson would create props for Death Piggy to use on stage. Brockie had an idea to use the costumes made for "Scumdogs of the Universe" and have Death Piggy open for themselves as a barbaric band from Antarctica, playing nonsense songs while sacrificing fake animals. The name of the joke group was "Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh". Death Piggy began noticing that more people were coming to see Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh and leaving immediately after the set. After a several refinements, including shortening the band's name, Death Piggy was phased out in favor of band now named Gwar.
Flattus Maximus
Flattus Maximus is the name of a former character and guitarist in the American heavy metal band Gwar. He is known by his red face, white dreadlocks, dinosaur-head shoulder pads and reptile feet. The name "Flattus" implies a flatulent character. His speaking mannerisms suggest a childlike...
), Michael Bishop (Beefcake the Mighty
Beefcake the Mighty
Beefcake the Mighty is the bassist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a stout humanoid girded in Roman-style armor. He is usually portrayed wielding either an oversized Gladius sword or a large battle-axe .-Background:According to Gwar mythos, Beefcake originates from the planet Cholesterol...
) and Rob Mosby (Nippleus Erectus
Nippleus Erectus
Nippleus Erectus was a drummer of GWAR , who did all the drumming for Hell-O. He is also credited for the drums on Scumdogs of the Universe, though it was Jizmak Da Gusha who played them...
) were recruited in 1987, along with Steve Douglas (Balsac the Jaws of Death
Balsac the Jaws of Death
Balsac the Jaws of Death is the rhythm guitarist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a humanoid creature with a face resembling a bear-trap. Balsac is usually portrayed wielding a giant battleaxe...
) who rejoined the band after having previously left. Danielle Stampe (alias: Slymenstra Hymen) joined sometime in 1988 and toured consistently with the band until 2002. The band has also recruited, and lost, three other female members: The Temptress (Heather Broome, 1986), Amazina, Gwar Woman (Colette Miller, 1986–87) and Gwar Woman (Lisa Harrelson, 1987–88).
The band's debut album, Hell-O
Hell-O
Hell-o! is the debut album by Gwar. The album was released in 1988, on Shimmy Disc Records.Gwar's angle on the album is that of a morbid punk band obsessed with debauchery, violence and toilet humor...
, a crossover heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
/punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
album, was released in 1988 under Shimmy Disc Records
Shimmy Disc
Shimmy Disc was an influential New York City based record label founded in 1987 by Mark Kramer. Before it was sold to the Knitting Factory, it was responsible for providing a mass audience for acts including Bongwater, Daniel Johnston, Fly Ashtray, Galaxie 500, King Missile, Boredoms, Ruins, Ween,...
. The band started touring in support of the album, with Steve Douglas leaving that same year, later to form the alternative band Log, and being replaced by current rhythm guitarist, Michael Derks, who took over Douglas' alias as Balsac the Jaws of Death.
However, the band's line-up would undergo further changes before 1990. In 1988, the Slave Pit saw the joining of Bob Gorman, a young, new artist who would help with the art design and fabrication aspects of the band. One year later, in 1989, Rob Mobsy left the band and was replaced by Pete Luchter, who also quit to be replaced temporarily by Jim Thompson, who had been in the band prior to the release of Hell-O. Thompson later quit and was replaced by Brad Roberts who has since portrayed Jizmak Da Gusha
Jizmak Da Gusha
Jizmak Da Gusha is the drummer in the rock band Gwar. Although the costume has undergone many changes since the character was introduced, Jizmak's onstage get-up somewhat resembles a monstrous dog with very large teeth...
.
Scumdogs of the Universe and This Toilet Earth (1990 – 1994)
With Gwar's line-up somewhat solidified, the band would set up to record Scumdogs of the UniverseScumdogs of the Universe
Scumdogs of the Universe is the second album by Satirical Shock rock band Gwar. The album is their first album on Metal Blade Records and was released in 1990. It is to this date the band's best selling album and greatly expanded the band's horizons...
. The album met a moderately large mainstream success and would mark the start of a career under the Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
record label. The band would tour extensively in support for this album, releasing the Live from Antarctica
Live from Antarctica
Live from Antarctica is GWAR's first commercial video release on Metal Blade Records Video label that was sold through major retailers. Billed with them playing a live show in Antarctica the packaging reads as quoted; "For the first time you can enjoy an actual GWAR cannibalistic blood orgy...
VHS tape in July 1990, containing, amongst other things, the band's first music video for the song Sick of You
Sick of You
"Sick of You" is the third track in heavy metal band GWAR's second album, Scumdogs of the Universe.-Overview:"Sick of You" is, lyrically, a simple song, dealing with feelings of utter distaste for a despised one in a somewhat comical fashion:...
. It was shortly after the video's release when the Slave Pit took in another new, young artist, Matt Maguire, to help out with costume fabrication, as well as illustrations for comics and such.
In August 1990, Michael Derks had a daughter leading him to take a short break from the band. Barry D'live Ward from the band Rich Kids on LSD filled in on guitar as Balsac on Gwar's 1991 European tour. Upon returning home, Gwar filmed their first cameo in a mainstream film, Mystery Date
Mystery Date
For the Milton Bradley board game, see Mystery Date .Mystery Date is a 1991 teen comedy film directed by Jonathan Wacks and starring Ethan Hawke, Teri Polo, and Brian McNamara.-Cast:*Ethan Hawke as Tom McHugh*Teri Polo as Geena Matthews...
.
Scumdogs of the Universe
Scumdogs of the Universe
Scumdogs of the Universe is the second album by Satirical Shock rock band Gwar. The album is their first album on Metal Blade Records and was released in 1990. It is to this date the band's best selling album and greatly expanded the band's horizons...
was originally released through the U.K. label Master before being picked up by Metal Blade in 1991. In the group's hunt for a larger label, they auditioned for Relativity Records
Relativity Records
Relativity Records, often branded just Relativity, is an American record label founded by Barry Kobrin at the site of his company, Important Record Distribution in metro New York. Early on, as an indie label, Relativity released music in a variety of styles, including dance, jazz, punk, and...
, one of the larger independent heavy metal labels. The group killed their audition when they showed up in costume and Slymenstra Hymen broke a blood capsule from her codpiece
Codpiece
A codpiece is a covering flap or pouch that attaches to the front of the crotch of men's trousers and usually accentuates the genital area. It was held closed by string ties, buttons, or other methods...
onto one of the office chairs, simulating menstruation.
The band suffered further line-up changes during this period, with Dewey Rowell leaving the band in 1991 and not being replaced until 1992 by Pete Lee, after the recording of America Must Be Destroyed
America Must Be Destroyed
-Line-up:*Dave Brockie – Lead vocals*Pete Lee – Lead guitar, backing vocals tour only*Mike Derks – Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
. During this period, Gwar was (temporarily) banned in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
because Brockie was wearing his "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" prosthetic penis, which led to his arrest; this incident was the inspiration for Gwar's third album, America Must Be Destroyed, released in 1992. The album was accompanied by the movie Phallus in Wonderland
Phallus in Wonderland
Phallus in Wonderland was GWAR's first attempt at a commercially released, long-form movie. The plot tells the tale of GWAR's conflict with the Morality Squad, after the theft of Oderus Urungus' "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" . Meanwhile, the giant T-Rex, Gor-Gor is born and helps GWAR defeat the Morality...
, which documented the main concept and contained music videos for the album. Phallus in Wonderland was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1993. After recording for This Toilet Earth
This Toilet Earth
This Toilet Earth is the fourth album released by rock/heavy metal/punk band Gwar. Released in 1994, this album was to be one of their oddest and most bittersweet albums. It was the first Gwar album to be censored , due to their gain in popularity as a result of MTV exposure...
was completed, bassist Mike Bishop left the band. He was replaced by Casey Orr, from the band Rigor Mortis
Rigor Mortis (band)
Rigor Mortis is a speed metal band that formed in 1983. Two schoolmates Harden Harrison and Casey Orr formed the band when they met Mike Scaccia . The three young men shared an interest in horror/gore films and very heavy music. With Bruce Corbitt on vocals they created some of the heaviest...
.
This Toilet Earth was released on 1994, to moderate success. The album received additional attention due to controversy surrounding ""B.D.F.", a song that graphically refers to subjects such as sodomy, necrophilia, pre-natal rape, pedophilia and mutilation. 1994 also saw the music videos for "Saddam a Go-Go" and "The Road Behind" being aired on Beavis and Butt-head
Beavis and Butt-Head
Beavis and Butt-head is an American animated television series created by Mike Judge. The series originated from Frog Baseball, a 1992 short film by Judge. After seeing the short, MTV signed Judge to develop the concept. Beavis and Butt-head originally aired from March 8, 1993 to November 28, 1997...
This would also mark the beginning of the band straying from their trademark sound, as the album contained several experimental songs as opposed to the heavy metal heard on the previous two albums.
Ragnarok, Carnival of Chaos and We Kill Everything (1995 –2000)
Rendezvous with RagNaRok
Rendezvous with RagNaRok is a performance film by the band GWAR coinciding with their 1995 album RagNaRok, though the video was released in early 1997 . The bulk of the video is concert footage, with a mock interview interspersed between each song...
to support the album's plot through footage from the supporting tour.
The band's first side project, X-Cops
X-Cops
X-Cops was a side project composed of members from the band Gwar and their extended "family" of musicians. Each member of X-Cops performed in a police uniform and had their own character. They released the album You Have The Right To Remain Silent... on Metal Blade Records in 1995...
, would also come to life after the Ragnarok tour, releasing their only full length album, You Have the Right to Remain Silent...
You Have the Right to Remain Silent...
You Have the Right to Remain Silent... is the sole album by the band X-Cops. It was released in 1995.-Track listing:-Miscellanea:The photos on the inside of the CD booklet depict a murder crime scene being investigated by the X-Cops. On the wall in the victim's room is a poster of GWAR, the...
, the same year.
The band's next record would come out in 1997 under the name Carnival of Chaos
Carnival of Chaos
Carnival of Chaos is the Gwar's sixth studio album. It is perhaps most notable as their longest album , and also as the album that contains Stampe's solo number: "Don't Need a Man". Hunter Jackson also returns in "The Private Pain of Techno Destructo", and there is an ballad entitled "Sammy" about...
, proving to be the epitome of this experimental period containing songs from many different genres, including the classic Heavy Metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, but also hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, and even jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. Shortly after the release of Carnival of Chaos, select members of the Gwar ensemble appeared on The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show is a syndicated television tabloid talk show hosted by Jerry Springer, a former politician, broadcast in the United States and other countries...
to discuss the growing trend of "shock rock" and their role as entertainers. Aside from their appearance on The Joan Rivers Show
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers is an American comedian, television personality and actress. She is known for her brash manner; her loud, raspy voice with a heavy New York accent; and her numerous cosmetic surgeries...
, this guest appearance is still recognized as one of their most infamous bits on national TV.
Carnival of Chaos would be the last album with Pete Lee on guitar, being replaced by Tim Harriss who had previously been in the band around 1986 and was featured as a guest guitarist on America Must Be Destroyed
America Must Be Destroyed
-Line-up:*Dave Brockie – Lead vocals*Pete Lee – Lead guitar, backing vocals tour only*Mike Derks – Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
. For the recording of We Kill Everything
We Kill Everything
-Story:The album's story differs slightly than the version told in "It's Sleazy" and on tour.The first three tracks on the album do not follow one particular story, and focus on Gwar's generally decadent ways...
between late 1998 and early 1999, Michael Bishop
Michael Bishop (bassist)
Michael Bishop is an American musician, and Bishop attended Thomas Dale high school. Most notably, he was the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band GWAR. As a member of GWAR, he was the first to play the role of "Beefcake the Mighty") . In addition to GWAR, Bishop played bass and sang...
would temporarily rejoin the band as the bassist during the absence of Casey Orr. The record, largely influenced by punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, is the band's least favorite album and thus its songs are rarely played live.
Following this, co-founder Hunter Jackson left the group in 2000 to focus on personal projects. Danielle Stampe left the band to focus on a personal project named Girly Freakshow; however, she rejoined the band temporarily for the Bitch Is Back tour in 2002.
Violence Has Arrived and Live from Mt. Fuji (2001 – 2005)
Flattus Maximus
Flattus Maximus is the name of a former character and guitarist in the American heavy metal band Gwar. He is known by his red face, white dreadlocks, dinosaur-head shoulder pads and reptile feet. The name "Flattus" implies a flatulent character. His speaking mannerisms suggest a childlike...
, Casey Orr also having returned to the band as Beefcake the Mighty
Beefcake the Mighty
Beefcake the Mighty is the bassist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a stout humanoid girded in Roman-style armor. He is usually portrayed wielding either an oversized Gladius sword or a large battle-axe .-Background:According to Gwar mythos, Beefcake originates from the planet Cholesterol...
for the recording of the band's first entirely thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
album in years: Violence Has Arrived
Violence Has Arrived
Violence Has Arrived is the 2001 album by the band Gwar. It was released on November 6, 2001.According to an interview with Dave Brockie, it was supposed to be released on Sept. 11, 2001, but Metal Blade wouldn't release it until November...
, released on November 6, 2001, the album being seen as a "comeback" of sorts and setting off changes that resulted in the current state of the band. Violence Has Arrived was, however, the band's last album on Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
, with the band leaving the label soon after the recording and releasing of it.
In 2002 Zach Blair left Gwar to form the power-pop band Armstrong along with drummer Brad Roberts. The band released one album titled Dick the Lionhearted.
As the band focused on a heavier, more brutal sound near the end of this period, it would also result in the creation of another side project, the Dave Brockie Experience
Dave Brockie Experience
The Dave Brockie Experience or DBX is formed of three of the current members of Heavy metal band GWAR. The band is composed of David "Oderus Urungus" Brockie , Brad "Jizmak Da Gusha" Roberts , and Mike "Balsac the Jaws of Death" Derks . DBX is a pet project of GWAR and shows some of their earlier...
, a band created by frontman Dave Brockie along with rhythm guitarist Mike Derks and drummer Brad Roberts
Jizmak Da Gusha
Jizmak Da Gusha is the drummer in the rock band Gwar. Although the costume has undergone many changes since the character was introduced, Jizmak's onstage get-up somewhat resembles a monstrous dog with very large teeth...
as a way of continuing the comedic sound found on albums like We Kill Everything
We Kill Everything
-Story:The album's story differs slightly than the version told in "It's Sleazy" and on tour.The first three tracks on the album do not follow one particular story, and focus on Gwar's generally decadent ways...
while maintaining a more serious focus in releases by Gwar. They released their first LP on March 20, 2001, Diarrhea of a Madman
Diarrhea of a Madman
Diarrhea of a Madman is the debut album by the band Dave Brockie Experience. It was released in 2001. -Track listing:* Lady Died - 15:15 into track 18....
.
This was not the end of Gwar's new focus on heavy sound, as was proven with the release of Violence Has Arrived by their most successful album in several years, War Party
War Party (album)
-Line-up:*Dave Brockie - Lead vocals*Cory Smoot - Lead guitar, backing vocals*Mike Derks - Rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
in 2004 on their new record label, DRT Entertainment
DRT Entertainment
DRT Entertainment is a New York City based independent record label founded in 2003 by Derek Shulman, Ron Urban and Theodore "Ted" Green. It is now solely owned by Derek Shulman....
. The album met with a large underground success, as it followed the same path Violence Has Arrived did, but this time with a more serious and technical edge, partially thanks to the efforts of new lead guitarist Cory Smoot (Flattus Maximus
Flattus Maximus
Flattus Maximus is the name of a former character and guitarist in the American heavy metal band Gwar. He is known by his red face, white dreadlocks, dinosaur-head shoulder pads and reptile feet. The name "Flattus" implies a flatulent character. His speaking mannerisms suggest a childlike...
) and bass guitarist Todd Evans (Beefcake the Mighty
Beefcake the Mighty
Beefcake the Mighty is the bassist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a stout humanoid girded in Roman-style armor. He is usually portrayed wielding either an oversized Gladius sword or a large battle-axe .-Background:According to Gwar mythos, Beefcake originates from the planet Cholesterol...
). Videos were released for "Bring Back the Bomb" and "War Party," and the band was invited to play on the Sounds of the Underground
Sounds of the Underground
The Sounds of the Underground tour was a festival-like tour that rivaled Ozzfest in its first year of existence .The tour features extreme metal and metalcore, and hardcore bands. The existence of this tour, which was held in national arenas, was to attract the rising interest of metal, hardcore,...
tour in 2005. That same year the band released Live from Mt. Fuji
Live from Mt. Fuji
Released in June 2005, Live from Mt. Fuji is Gwar's first nationally released live concert CD. It was recorded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Mr Smalls theater. The enhanced version of the album contains the video for "Bring Back the Bomb."-Track listing:...
, the band's first live album besides the then extremely rare You're All Worthless and Weak
You're All Worthless and Weak
Released in 2000, You're All Worthless And Weak is Gwar's first live album. It was recorded at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, on Halloween, 2000. It features the return of Sexecutioner and Sleazy P. Martini, as well as Techno Destructo and his brother Bozo Destructo. The show was also one of the...
, released in 2000 (and re-released in 2006) on Slave Pit Records
Slave Pit Records
Slave Pit Records or Slave Pit Inc. is the production company and independent record label created for releasing projects by Gwar and related side projects such as Mensrea and Locus Factor.- History 1984-1993 :1984...
.
Beyond Hell, Lust in Space, 25th Anniversary and death of Cory Smoot (2006 – present)
On February 23, 2006, Gwar's official website announced Gwar's album, officially titled Beyond Hell
Beyond Hell
Beyond Hell is the tenth studio album by Gwar. It was released on August 29, 2006, the album was originally announced through the band's official website on February 23, 2006...
, for which, at the urging of DRT Entertainment
DRT Entertainment
DRT Entertainment is a New York City based independent record label founded in 2003 by Derek Shulman, Ron Urban and Theodore "Ted" Green. It is now solely owned by Derek Shulman....
, a cover version of Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
's "School's Out
School's Out (song)
Female pop duo Daphne & Celeste, released a cover of the song in 2000. The chorus is based on Alice Cooper's hit of the same name, and some other elements of that song have been retained, although much of the song is "original", in a pop-rap style...
" was recorded and released. The music video, was directed by David Brodsky on July 2, 2006. The part of the "school marm" has been mistakenly identified as Devin Townsend, the producer of the "Beyond Hell" CD. It is actually Scott Krahl, a long-time Gwar "slave" and inventor of Gor-Gor. "School's Out" was nominated for Best Video of 2006 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.
The Blood Bath and Beyond DVD was released on June 20, 2006, containing exclusive behind the scenes and vintage footage of the band.
Gwar performed a special "half-time" show at the Sounds Of The Underground
Sounds of the Underground
The Sounds of the Underground tour was a festival-like tour that rivaled Ozzfest in its first year of existence .The tour features extreme metal and metalcore, and hardcore bands. The existence of this tour, which was held in national arenas, was to attract the rising interest of metal, hardcore,...
2006 tour. Gwar went on to headline the following year's Sounds of the Underground Tour in 2007.
Vocalist Oderus Urungus
Oderus Urungus
Oderus Urungus, played by Dave Brockie, is the lead vocalist of the Metal band Gwar. He appears as an intergalactic humanoid barbarian with devil horns and a meaty looking face, and always carries around a long sword named "Unt Lick"...
is also featured on the last Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad was a Canadian extreme metal band formed by Devin Townsend in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1994. The band started as a one-man studio project; Townsend played most of the instruments on the 1995 debut album, Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing...
album The New Black
The New Black
The New Black is the fifth and final album by Canadian heavy metal band Strapping Young Lad. It was released on July 11, 2006, debuting at #200 on the Billboard charts...
as a guest vocalist on the song "Far Beyond Metal". Oderus' lines in the song are taken directly from the Gwar song "Maggots" ("now in the halls of the Necrolord…" etc.). Scott Krahl is in the "School's Out" video as a female teacher, of whom Oderus makes out with and proceeds to mount at the end of the video.
Beyond Hell
Beyond Hell
Beyond Hell is the tenth studio album by Gwar. It was released on August 29, 2006, the album was originally announced through the band's official website on February 23, 2006...
was released on August 29, 2006, with Gwar touring to support the album and being helped by the creation of new props for this tour, including several characters from Beyond Hell's plot, including Jitler and Jewcifer. Gwar was also present at the third annual Rock & Shock festival from October 13 to 15 as a part of this tour.
In Spring 2008 Todd Evans left Gwar to focus efforts on his project Mobile Deathcamp. Shortly after Todd's departure, Casey Orr was confirmed to return as Beefcake the Mighty.
Sleazy P. Martini returned to the stage with Gwar during their Electile Dysfunction '08 tour.
In 2009, Gwar celebrated their 25th year as a band. Gwar's eleventh studio album, Lust in Space
Lust in Space
-Line-up:*Dave Brockie - lead vocals*Cory Smoot - lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Release the Flies"*Mike Derks - rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
, was released on August 18, 2009, through Metal Blade Records. They performed at the 2009 Gathering of the Juggalos
Gathering of the Juggalos
The Gathering of the Juggalos is an annual festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label as well as numerous well-known musical groups and underground artists. It was founded by Robert Bruce, Insane Clown Posse , and their label in 2000...
and toured nationwide with Lamb of God and Job for a Cowboy.
A Christmas vinyl record has been available at recent shows consisting of a new song called "Christmas Stripper Summer Weekend" and a live Hell-O Medley. The single is also available through the official Gwar website.
Oderus Urungus hosted the "Crack-a-Thon" in Brooklyn, New York at the MF Gallery in April 2010. A second Crack-A-Thon followed in 2011.
On November 9, 2010, Bloody Pit of Horror was released.
On November 3, 2011, GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot, who had portrayed Flattus Maximus since 2002, was found dead by his fellow band members in the band's tour bus as they prepared to cross the border into Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada from North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
. At the time of the announcement, no formal statement concerning the circumstances of his demise nor of the future of the band had been made. On November 4, Dave Brockie officially announced that the character of Flattus Maximus would be retired out of respect to Smoot.
Etymology
Despite various explanations that Gwar is an acronym for something, band members have insisted from its inception that the letters do not stand for anything. Indeed, the official website of Slave Pit Inc.Slave Pit Records
Slave Pit Records or Slave Pit Inc. is the production company and independent record label created for releasing projects by Gwar and related side projects such as Mensrea and Locus Factor.- History 1984-1993 :1984...
indicates that Gwar is a shortened version of "Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh", the name the band used originally when opening up for Death Piggy
Death Piggy
Death Piggy was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1982 in Richmond, Virginia. They flourished briefly, before Dave Brockie, then their lead singer/bassist, decided to play a joke set while wearing monster costumes as an opening act for Death Piggy. This joke act would later be the basis for...
. Another incorrect view is that the name stands for "God What an Awful Racket."
| (1984) |
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Joey Slutman Joey Slutman, also known as Joe Annaruma, was GWAR's second vocalist while Oderus Urungus - Dave Brockie - was the 2nd guitarist. Joey Slutman is the vocalist on the first four songs on Let There Be GWAR. Before joining Gwar in 1985, he was guitarist for the Norfolk, Va. Hardcore punk band JUDICIAL... (Joe Annaruma) – vocals Stephen Sphincter Stephen Sphincter was an early GWAR character, played by Ron Curry, who recorded six albums on SST Records with Hotel X. His on-stage brother was Hans Sphincter, played by drummer Jim Thompson.-References:... (Ron Curry) – guitar |
| (1986) |
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Hans Orifice Hans Orifice is a drummer best known as a member of GWAR. Born Jim Thompson, he first took the name Hans Sphincter, and assumed his current name in 1987. Thompson left due to touring commitments with his main band, the Alter Natives, who released three albums on SST Records... (Jim Thomson) – drums |
| (1987–1988) |
Flattus Maximus Flattus Maximus is the name of a former character and guitarist in the American heavy metal band Gwar. He is known by his red face, white dreadlocks, dinosaur-head shoulder pads and reptile feet. The name "Flattus" implies a flatulent character. His speaking mannerisms suggest a childlike... (Dewey Rowell) – guitar Balsac the Jaws of Death Balsac the Jaws of Death is the rhythm guitarist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a humanoid creature with a face resembling a bear-trap. Balsac is usually portrayed wielding a giant battleaxe... (Steve Douglas) – guitar Beefcake the Mighty Beefcake the Mighty is the bassist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a stout humanoid girded in Roman-style armor. He is usually portrayed wielding either an oversized Gladius sword or a large battle-axe .-Background:According to Gwar mythos, Beefcake originates from the planet Cholesterol... (Michael Bishop Michael Bishop (bassist) Michael Bishop is an American musician, and Bishop attended Thomas Dale high school. Most notably, he was the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band GWAR. As a member of GWAR, he was the first to play the role of "Beefcake the Mighty") . In addition to GWAR, Bishop played bass and sang... ) – bass Nippleus Erectus Nippleus Erectus was a drummer of GWAR , who did all the drumming for Hell-O. He is also credited for the drums on Scumdogs of the Universe, though it was Jizmak Da Gusha who played them... (Rob Mosby) – drums |
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| (1990–1991) |
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| (1991–1993) |
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| (1994–1997) |
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| (1998–1999) |
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| (1999–2002) |
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Band members
- Dave Brockie (Oderus UrungusOderus UrungusOderus Urungus, played by Dave Brockie, is the lead vocalist of the Metal band Gwar. He appears as an intergalactic humanoid barbarian with devil horns and a meaty looking face, and always carries around a long sword named "Unt Lick"...
) (lead vocals) - Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of DeathBalsac the Jaws of DeathBalsac the Jaws of Death is the rhythm guitarist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a humanoid creature with a face resembling a bear-trap. Balsac is usually portrayed wielding a giant battleaxe...
) (rhythm guitar, background vocals) - Jamison Land (Beefcake the MightyBeefcake the MightyBeefcake the Mighty is the bassist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a stout humanoid girded in Roman-style armor. He is usually portrayed wielding either an oversized Gladius sword or a large battle-axe .-Background:According to Gwar mythos, Beefcake originates from the planet Cholesterol...
) (bass, background vocals) - Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da GushaJizmak Da GushaJizmak Da Gusha is the drummer in the rock band Gwar. Although the costume has undergone many changes since the character was introduced, Jizmak's onstage get-up somewhat resembles a monstrous dog with very large teeth...
) (drums, percussion)
Additional members
- Don Drakulich (Sleazy P. MartiniSleazy P. MartiniSleazy P. Martini is a character played by Don Drakulich in the theatrical heavy metal band Gwar. He wears a gigantic gold necklace with a dollar symbol, a large pompadour, a bright purple suit, and is often seen wielding a sawed-off shotgun...
)
Slaves
- Matt Maguire ("Mattron"/"MX2")
- Bob Gorman ("Muzzle Slave")
- Scott Krahl ("Cock & Balls Slave")
Former members
Vocalists- Joe Annaruma (Joey SlutmanJoey SlutmanJoey Slutman, also known as Joe Annaruma, was GWAR's second vocalist while Oderus Urungus - Dave Brockie - was the 2nd guitarist. Joey Slutman is the vocalist on the first four songs on Let There Be GWAR. Before joining Gwar in 1985, he was guitarist for the Norfolk, Va. Hardcore punk band JUDICIAL...
) - Ben Eubanks (Johnny Slutman)
Guitarists
- Barry Ward (Balsac the Jaws of Death)
- Steve Douglas (Balsac the Jaws of Death)
- Dewey Rowell (Flattus Maximus)
- Pete Lee (Flattus Maximus)
- Tim Harriss (Flattus Maximus)
- Zach BlairZach BlairZach Blair is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Chicago-based hardcore punk band Rise Against. He is originally from Sherman, Texas.Before joining Rise Against in early 2007, Blair was a member of hardcore punk group Only Crime along with his brother, Doni Blair, who currently plays with...
(Flattus Maximus) - Brian FechinoBrian FechinoBrian Fechino is an American guitarist most known for being a member of the Pat McGee Band; for his own instrumental music, being a studio musician and for being a music producer.-Biography:...
(Flattus Maximus) - Cory Smoot (Flattus Maximus)
- Russ Bahorsky (Mr. MagicoMr. MagicoMr. Magico is a character and former member on shock rock band GWAR.It is known that original Death Piggy guitarist Russ Bahorsky's character in the original GWAR lineup was named Mr. Magico. However, it is not known for sure if he actually played an instrument for the band...
) - Ron Curry (Stephen SphincterStephen SphincterStephen Sphincter was an early GWAR character, played by Ron Curry, who recorded six albums on SST Records with Hotel X. His on-stage brother was Hans Sphincter, played by drummer Jim Thompson.-References:...
) - Greg Ottinger (Cornelius Carnage)
- John Cobbett
- Nick Hawkins
Bassists
- Michael BishopMichael Bishop (bassist)Michael Bishop is an American musician, and Bishop attended Thomas Dale high school. Most notably, he was the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band GWAR. As a member of GWAR, he was the first to play the role of "Beefcake the Mighty") . In addition to GWAR, Bishop played bass and sang...
(Beefcake the Mighty) - Todd Evans (Beefcake the Mighty)
- Casey Orr (Beefcake the Mighty)
- Chris Bopst (Balsac)
Drummers
- Sean Sumner
- Jim Thompson (Hans Sphincter / Hans OrificeHans OrificeHans Orifice is a drummer best known as a member of GWAR. Born Jim Thompson, he first took the name Hans Sphincter, and assumed his current name in 1987. Thompson left due to touring commitments with his main band, the Alter Natives, who released three albums on SST Records...
) - Rob Mosby (Nippleus ErectusNippleus ErectusNippleus Erectus was a drummer of GWAR , who did all the drumming for Hell-O. He is also credited for the drums on Scumdogs of the Universe, though it was Jizmak Da Gusha who played them...
) - Pete Luchter (Lee Beato)
Backing vocalists
- Michael D. Moore (Sleazy P. MartiniSleazy P. MartiniSleazy P. Martini is a character played by Don Drakulich in the theatrical heavy metal band Gwar. He wears a gigantic gold necklace with a dollar symbol, a large pompadour, a bright purple suit, and is often seen wielding a sawed-off shotgun...
) - Hunter Jackson (Techno DestructoTechno DestructoTechno Destructo is perhaps the most famous GWAR villain . He is played by either Hunter Jackson or Don Drakulich , though Jackson played the character for the majority of his time in GWAR...
/ Scroda MoonScroda MoonScroda Moon is a Gwar character, played by Hunter Jackson. The story of Gwar's 1999 album We Kill Everything revolves heavily around Moon, and his doomsday prophecies. We Kill Everything is the only album to feature Moon. He gets his name from his head, which is a penis, and his chin literally a...
) - Mike Delaney (SexecutionerSexecutionerSexecutioner was a character in the band Gwar, played originally Mike Delaney, and finally by Chuck Varga from 1989 until 1995-6, with one final appearance in 2000...
) - Chuck Varga (Sexecutioner)
- Danielle Stampe (Slymenstra HymenSlymenstra HymenSlymenstra Hymen was Gwar's dancer and occasional singer portrayed by Danielle Stampe . She is perhaps best known for fire dancing, usually during the song "Horror of Yig." On the tours for the Carnival of Chaos album, she danced to the song "Sammy," because "Horror of Yig" often followed the...
)
Keyboardists
- Dave Musel (Müsel)
- Nick Hawkins
Slaves
- Danny Black
- Mike Bonner
- Davis Bradley III
- Hunter Jackson
- Richard Dolcette
- Joe Douglas
- Nate Krishna
Studio albums and EPs
- Hell-OHell-OHell-o! is the debut album by Gwar. The album was released in 1988, on Shimmy Disc Records.Gwar's angle on the album is that of a morbid punk band obsessed with debauchery, violence and toilet humor...
(1988) - Scumdogs of the UniverseScumdogs of the UniverseScumdogs of the Universe is the second album by Satirical Shock rock band Gwar. The album is their first album on Metal Blade Records and was released in 1990. It is to this date the band's best selling album and greatly expanded the band's horizons...
(1990) - The Road Behind EP (1992)
- America Must Be DestroyedAmerica Must Be Destroyed-Line-up:*Dave Brockie – Lead vocals*Pete Lee – Lead guitar, backing vocals tour only*Mike Derks – Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
(1992) - This Toilet EarthThis Toilet EarthThis Toilet Earth is the fourth album released by rock/heavy metal/punk band Gwar. Released in 1994, this album was to be one of their oddest and most bittersweet albums. It was the first Gwar album to be censored , due to their gain in popularity as a result of MTV exposure...
(1994) - Ragnarok (1995)
- Carnival of ChaosCarnival of ChaosCarnival of Chaos is the Gwar's sixth studio album. It is perhaps most notable as their longest album , and also as the album that contains Stampe's solo number: "Don't Need a Man". Hunter Jackson also returns in "The Private Pain of Techno Destructo", and there is an ballad entitled "Sammy" about...
(1997) - We Kill EverythingWe Kill Everything-Story:The album's story differs slightly than the version told in "It's Sleazy" and on tour.The first three tracks on the album do not follow one particular story, and focus on Gwar's generally decadent ways...
(1999) - Violence Has ArrivedViolence Has ArrivedViolence Has Arrived is the 2001 album by the band Gwar. It was released on November 6, 2001.According to an interview with Dave Brockie, it was supposed to be released on Sept. 11, 2001, but Metal Blade wouldn't release it until November...
(2001) - War PartyWar Party (album)-Line-up:*Dave Brockie - Lead vocals*Cory Smoot - Lead guitar, backing vocals*Mike Derks - Rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
(2004) - Beyond HellBeyond HellBeyond Hell is the tenth studio album by Gwar. It was released on August 29, 2006, the album was originally announced through the band's official website on February 23, 2006...
(2006) - Lust in SpaceLust in Space-Line-up:*Dave Brockie - lead vocals*Cory Smoot - lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Release the Flies"*Mike Derks - rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
(2009) - Bloody Pit of Horror (2010)
Videography
- Shimmy Disc Video Compilation V.1 (1988)
- RawgwarRAWGWAR (video)Rawgwar is Gwar's first self-produced video release. It compiles early TV appearances and live performance footage. The tape features the band in early versions of their costumes, as well as stage characters, such as Cardinal Syn and Techno Destructo...
(1989) - The Next MutationThe Next MutationRAWGWAR: The Next Mutation is heavy metal band GWAR's third video release. It was sent out to promoters and the like, prior to GWAR signing to Metal Blade Records. It is a compilation of early MTV and cable TV appearances and a live show from 1989...
(1989) - Live from AntarcticaLive from AntarcticaLive from Antarctica is GWAR's first commercial video release on Metal Blade Records Video label that was sold through major retailers. Billed with them playing a live show in Antarctica the packaging reads as quoted; "For the first time you can enjoy an actual GWAR cannibalistic blood orgy...
(1990) - Phallus in WonderlandPhallus in WonderlandPhallus in Wonderland was GWAR's first attempt at a commercially released, long-form movie. The plot tells the tale of GWAR's conflict with the Morality Squad, after the theft of Oderus Urungus' "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" . Meanwhile, the giant T-Rex, Gor-Gor is born and helps GWAR defeat the Morality...
(1992) - All the SexAll the SexAll the Sex and its companion video Twice the Violence were both sold by Slave Pit Inc. through mail order. These two videos were later edited together into Tour De Scum for commercial release, although several songs were cut out to shorten it down to 60 minutes.-Track listing:# "Salaminizer"#...
(1992) - Twice the ViolenceTwice the ViolenceTwice the Violence and its companion video All the Sex were both sold by Slave Pit, Inc. through mail order. These two videos were later edited together into Tour De Scum for commercial release, although several songs were cut out to shorten it down to 60 minutes.-Track listing:# "Crack in the...
(1992) - Tour De ScumTour De ScumReleased in 1992, Tour De Scum is the second installment in a line of video concerts by GWAR. This one is from the "Scumdogs of the Universe" tour, hence the title...
(1992) - TVD (1994)
- Skulhedface (1994)
- Return of Techno-DestructoReturn of Techno-DestructoReturn of Techno Destructo is another Slave Pit VHS release. There has been some confusion because the name of the tape released in 1996 is also the name of the 1991 short film that is contained within...
(1996) - Rendezvous with RagnarokRendezvous with RagNaRokRendezvous with RagNaRok is a performance film by the band GWAR coinciding with their 1995 album RagNaRok, though the video was released in early 1997 . The bulk of the video is concert footage, with a mock interview interspersed between each song...
(1997) - Surprising Burst of Chocolaty FudgeSurprising Burst of Chocolaty FudgeA Surprising Burst Of Chocolaty Fudge is another Slave Pit video released by GWAR. Documenting their 1997 Hell-oween tour, this video contains the only official release of their cover of The Mentors Golden Showers.-Track listing:# "Salaminizer"...
(1998) - Dawn of the Day of the Night of the PenguinsDawn of the Day of the Night of the PenguinsDawn of the Day of the Night of the Penguins is a GWAR video of a live performance...
(1998) - It's SleazyIt's SleazyIt's Sleazy is GWAR's fifth and thus far final conceptual movie, in which the band appears on Sleazy P. Martini's talk show. Lots of gore and splatter, this video also includes a doomsday prophecy by an ex-GWAR member...
(2000) - The Gwarnage CampaignThe Gwarnage CampaignThe Gwarnage Campaign is a video by the band GWAR. It was sold at shows and through gwar.net, but was not an official Metal Blade release. It is one of the few concert videos that was not shot and edited by the band.-Track listing:# "Black & Huge"...
(2002) - Blood Drive 2002Blood Drive 2002Blood Drive 2002 is a DVD document of GWAR's 2002 tour. According to Don Drakulich who filmed and edited this show, only 200 copies were made on VHS tape and sold at shows...
(2002) - Ultimate Video GwarchiveUltimate Video GwarchiveUltimate Video GWARchive is a DVD collection of almost all of GWAR's videos up through the Violence Has Arrived album. The only ones not included are the Hell-O bonus track version of "Black & Huge", and "SFW"...
(2002) - War Party Tour 2004War Party Tour 2004Released on GWAR's 2004 "Mock the Vote" tour, War Party Tour 2004 is a limited DVD of a live show from 2004, with some similar concepts from said tour. Some people had thought of this release as a more modern Live from Antarctica...
(2004) - Blood Bath and BeyondBlood Bath and BeyondBlood Bath and Beyond is the name of a music video album by Gwar, released on DVD June 20, 2006. The DVD release includes videos, rarities and some live concert footage.-Content:...
(2006) - Beyond Hell LiveBeyond Hell LiveBeyond Hell Live is a video by Gwar.#"Intro"#"War Is All We Know"#"Murderer's Muse"#"Saddam A Go-Go"#"Go To Hell"#"I Love The Pigs"#"Tormentor"#"Meat Sandwich"#"Destroyed"#"Bring Back The Bomb"#"The Ultimate Bohab"#"Eighth Lock"...
(2007) - Lust in Space: Live at the National (2010)
Grammy Awards and nominations
Gwar has been nominated for two Grammy Awards, but lost to Annie LennoxAnnie Lennox
Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
and Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
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- "S.F.W.S.F.W.S.F.W. is a 1994 film directed by Jefery Levy. It is based on a novel by Andrew Wellman, and stars Stephen Dorff, Jake Busey and Reese Witherspoon, in one of her first lead roles.-Plot:...
" – Best Metal Performance, 1996 (nomination). Lost to Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
. - "Phallus in WonderlandPhallus in WonderlandPhallus in Wonderland was GWAR's first attempt at a commercially released, long-form movie. The plot tells the tale of GWAR's conflict with the Morality Squad, after the theft of Oderus Urungus' "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" . Meanwhile, the giant T-Rex, Gor-Gor is born and helps GWAR defeat the Morality...
" – Best Long Form Music Video 1993 (nomination). Lost to Annie LennoxAnnie LennoxAnnie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
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External links
- Interview with Oderus Urungus
- Official Japanese Site
- Gwar interview by Florida Entertainment Scene
- Interview @ SHOUT! Music Webzine
- Gwar concert photograph at SPINSpin (magazine)Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
- Gwar at Wacken 2009 stage
- Behind the Mask: An interview with Dave Brockie of Gwar at Swigged!
- Interview with Oderus at ion magazine
- Interview with Oderus at Exclaim!
- Gwar members Oderus Urungus and Balsac the Jaws of Death along with SYMPTOM (video slave) and Necrotika host the 1st annual CRACKATHON (2010) from Brooklyn NY's world famous MF GALLERY
- Gwar's official online video / Television channel
- COMING SOON! Official website of the NEW Annual Gwar BQ Bash