There is a phrase that we do not use at – ‘(insert band name) killed it’, simply because it is overused hyperbole. But there has always been one exception to the rule – Gwar. Part tongue in cheek, part serious, Gwar truly does ‘kill it’ on stage, the ‘it’ being the audience’s wardrobe, each of the costumed freaks on stage and the expectations of even the most fervent Gwar fans.
I have never seen Gwar before, but I knew of them in high school thanks to my friend Larry. The only song I can recall even today is “Have You Seen Me?” and whether they played it or not, I was making Gwar my destination on December 11, a birthday celebration and the best choice of a birthday show possible. Here are my takeaways from my first Gwar show at Upstate Concert Hall.
I missed American Sharks, out of Austin, but showed up in time for most of Corrosion of Conformity. Years of seeing jam bands has me convinced that an 8pm start time really means an 830 or 845 start time. But I met American Sharks and they are some quality guys with a solid first album.
The mood in Upstate Concert Hall (UCH) felt like a haunted house when Corrosion of Conformity was on stage.
Listening to CoC made me think back to Headbangers Ball in the ’90s. What a great era of MTV.
UCH is pretty much the only venue in the greater Capital District area where I would want to see a show like this.
No one was on their phones, no one was taking selfies, everyone was just standing around and staring at the band, half waiting for Gwar, half indifferent to CoC. To each their own.
There was a small mosh pit up close which I promptly got the fuck away from.
Not sure what the real title of the song is, but ‘Funky Time Push Up’ was a great song in the CoC set. Overall, a good warmup for the main act!
Tonight’s Gwar show was the third to last of their ‘Eternal Tour 2014’. I had to wonder if this meant they would mail it in or if they were ending on a high note. Ultimately, it was a high note, but regular fans could make a better call on that than a noob like me.
As the crowd gathered close to the stage, I wondered if there would be a Sea World style ‘splash zone’.
The Gwar chant from the Bohabs and Scumdogs (this is what Gwar fans call themselves I later learned) gets an A+ for the idea but C+ for execution.
An opening tribute to Oderus Urungus set a theme that went throughout the evening and brought all individual players into the spotlight for a song or two. a well deserved aspect of the show.
Thankfully this wasn’t a lame ‘Shit, Oderus isn’t here…. well lets just do the same old but without him.” It felt not so much scripted as it was a well thought out performance that brought the recently deceased Oderus (Dave Brockie) into the spotlight, but not in a ‘we’re whoring you out from the grave’ kind of way.
Two songs in and I was wondering for Vulvatron to appear.
Crowd surfing: I hadn’t seen this since Woodstock 1999, because this isn’t my scene anymore. Plus, I’m at the age where I can’t help but think ‘that’s dangerous’ even though I know what a thrill it is.
Band members have giant breasts, antlers, one is a weird knight from Gauntlet and a troll or two; what PCP fueled dream is this from?
“Genocide” – this was a great song, highlight of the night.
This is not a concert or a show; this is a performance and an incredible one at that.
How do they play/perform in such bulky costumes?
Two girls who were covered in the band’s ‘fluids’ walked by me to clean off in the bathroom. When they returned, I asked them if getting sprayed was worth it. The 19-year-old said no, but her 20-year-old friend next to her was nodding her head enthusiastically. To each their own.
The old school thrash of “Bonesnapper” was pretty awesome.
Musically, the guitarists stole the show and the drummer is solid as he drives the head banging.
Weirdest on stage appearance: giant lamprey eel meets Mac n Me, then squirts blue blood.
Vulvatron is more than just a pretty face – she has giant fake blood squirting boobs too!
There were a fair amount of couples at the show, but it was tough to tell who dragged who.
The spraying of fluids increased in distance as the night progressed. I got hit standing near the soundboard. It felt like my show experience was complete at that point.
The band has an odd infatuation with crack during their on stage banter.
Without the monologues in between the songs, the entire show would have blended together.
The use of Oderus was tasteful and not desperate, and ultimately tied the whole show together. The band exists without him but they have found a way to pay tribute to him without overdoing it.
The encore of “West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys was… unexpected. I was hoping for “Carry on my Wayward Son” or “Have You Seen Me?” but I wasn’t chasing a Gwar song at my first show.
Following the encore, there were cheers and chants for Oderus, prompting Blothar implore the audience to SCREAM for Oderus. Collective community interactions abound regardless of music genre.
Altogether, this was a phenomenal show and I can’t believe it took this long to see them. I know I will see Gwar again in my lifetime – the performance is one of the most elaborate I have seen and I can’t grasp how they do this night in, night out, dozens of times a year. I can’t think of another band that puts this much work into a musical performance on this level.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, Buffalo’s Town Ballroom was treated to a timeless spectacle, in the likes of which metalheads have simply come to expect from the one and only GWAR. Only this time around, something very different was in the atmosphere. It was the kind of family-like atmosphere you’d typically feel around the Thanksgiving dinner table or at a Fourth of July barbecue.
On March 23 of this year, the band lost longtime frontman and friend, Dave Brockie, to an accidental heroin overdose. Since his passing, many have been skeptical about GWAR’s fate in the metal universe, but that didn’t stop an impressive crowd of loyal fans from storming the gates of hell to greet the “scumdogs” head on.
Many diehard GWAR supporters made themselves known with their signature white wife-beaters and tee shirts, featuring hand-drawn fan art and brandings, proudly displaying the words “Hail Oderus”, referring to Brockie’s stage name, in bold black Sharpie. The masses showed up early to take in the entire event from start to finish, not missing a single beat or a single excuse to mosh during the opening acts.
American Sharks from Austin, Texas, kicked off the night with a relentless assault of punishing chords, driving melodic vocals and pulverizing punk beats. For only a three-piece, they started the night off right, creating energy amongst the GWAR and Decapitated fans alike, paving the way for a night they’ll all remember for years to come. As it was my first time hearing them, I can say that they instantly reminded me of a cross between Danzig-era Misfits and Black Sabbath. I found it very refreshing, and from what I heard, the majority of the crowd seemed to agree. These guys even announced that they had a black and white vinyl for sale at their merch table, which fans could color in for a chance to win six hundred and sixty-six dollars; one of the most unique gimmicks I’ve ever heard from a band.
However, the infamous death metal tyrants, Decapitated, were another story all together. They got the crowd amped with their soundcheck by abruptly breaking into “Walk” by Pantera before moseying off stage to cast an ominious cloud over the night. Their well-received soundcheck was then immediately followed up by an eerie drum, bass, and guitar intro on a backtrack, which shook the venue to its core with overwhelming bass bombs. The overall feel reminded me of the beginning of a Ridley Scott film, before they quickly switched gears and started their first song. The same merciless death and thrash metal vibe their fans know and love was on full display, with all-powerful low growls courtesy of vocalist, Rafal Rasta Piotrowski leading the charge. The guys are currently promoting their latest album, Blood Mantra, which in my opinion is a must-listen for any old or new fans of death or thrash metal.
Then, finally, the “scumdogs of the universe” themselves appeared before an awestruck crowd, with theatrics meant to send chills down your spine. But despite their usual displays of blood, guts, alien monsters, and just downright gore, you still can’t help but get the impression that in the end, they’re just here to warm our hearts. Their songs are fun and energetic. Even their merch table caters to the masses with an array of comics, action figures, cartoon shirts and hoodies, and even onesies! That’s right! Want your newborn or toddler to be immersed in the GWAR universe right from the beginning of their lives, then check out their hilarious onesies. You won’t regret it.
As for their set, they covered their entire discography, treating us to classics as well as newer material off of their latest album, Battle Maximus. But more importantly, Buffalo was introduced to their two newest members, Blothar and Vulvatron. Now armed with two lead vocalists, Blothar, the “male barbarian from the distant past”, and Vulvatron, “the female cybernetic assassin from the distant future”, delivered an action packed set, complete with ritualistic sacrifices and blood-squirting breasts, courtesy of Vulvatron’s demonic tendencies. And although she didn’t make an appearance until much later in their performance, she clearly isn’t the type who needs to keep up appearances in order to maintain a commanding presence.
All in all, it was a great night and none left disappointed. I can only hope to have just as much fun and be just as captivated at future shows. Hail Oderus!
Gwar continues to keep things interesting. After the sudden passing of Oderous Urungus (Dave Brockie) this year, the band has been a little quiet about who would fill in. They have went on record saying that they asked many older characters from Gwar’s extensive former members list to help fill out the tour. But now, a new player emerges, and as a front woman, she is a force to be reckoned with.
Photo from Vulvatron’s Facebook Page
Vulvatron made her front woman debut at Riot Fest on September 12th, and the crowd response was altogether positive. From a recent press release from Wondering Sound:
“Vulvatron is not dancing, or breathing fire, or keeping the slaves in line (though one assumes she’ll be adept at all three). For the first time since the departure of dancer and backing singer Slymenstra Hymen (Danielle Stampe) in 2000, GWAR has a female member, and she’s the front woman.
To split hairs, she’s actually GWAR’s new co-frontperson, joining reinstated vocalist Blothar (Mike Bishop) whose Beefcake the Mighty character was introduced in 1988.”
Photo from Vulvatron’s Facebook Page
This promises to be an incredible addition to the line-up, so don’t miss out on your chance to witness Gwar History (Gwarstory?) this winter when the band embarks on the Gwar Eternal Tour 2014. The tour will make a stop in Upstate New York at Upstate Concert Hall on December 11th, with American Sharks and Corrosion of Conformity. Check out Vulvatron’s facebook page here.
Over the course of almost 21 years, Mushroomhead has carved out their place as a lasting presence in the ever-changing metal scene. Hard work, relentless passion, and a dedicated fanbase has kept this band going, and they are stronger than ever. Starting out in Cleveland, Ohio, lead singer J-Mann remembers what it was like during the ’70s and ’80s in that area. “It was such an industrial town, seeing that part of it. I remember Detroit falling apart, and signs from the police saying ‘Enter at Your Own Risk’ “. All of that led to J-Mann taking a liking to the aggressive music scene, which would in turn help shape what Mushroomhead would become. “Subversive music intrigued me, anything that challenged society, or was socially aware.” J-Mann took a break from Mushroomhead in 2005, because he was tired of the fight. “Pro-tools bands come and go, they are tourists – it’s lifers versus tourists.” He was jaded by the way the industry was shaping, but it didn’t keep him out music for long.
*Note: Quotes from J-Mann were part of a phone interview with Managing Editor/Photo Editor, Jim Gilbert, earlier in July.
Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert
Returning to Mushroomhead in 2013, the band released their new album, The Righteous and The Butterfly, which went to number 20 on the billboard charts. J-Mann recalls sitting next to Rev. Jesse Jackson on a radio show in Cleveland when he got the news. “Drinking beer out of a coffee cup at 6:30 in the morning, trying to awkwardly high-five and hug Rev. Jesse Jackson. Crazy. It’s all about the fans and their support.”
With a stint on this year’s Rockstar Mayhem Festival, Mushroomhead is looking forward to a headlining tour in the fall, and then the next record, with a lot of new material already in the works, like a track featuring Randy Blythe from Lamb of God. I got to sit down with Skinny and ST1TCH at the festival when it rolled into Saratoga Springs New York at SPAC, and talk a little about the band, and the passing of Dave Brockie of GWAR, both Mushroomhead and Gwar being very close throughout their careers.
Jeff Ayers: So, first question I gotta know. ‘Rumour Has It’. It was your idea, Skinny, to put that on the record, right? Can you talk about that?
Skinny: Usually, when we start recording a new album, we will screw around with cover tunes, just to get tones basically. When you are setting up drums, and dialing in guitars, it’s just about having a little fun with it. That one came about because of my iPod, I had it on shuffle. Dr. F, our bass player, and myself were working on some masks, and we were using it as a background. Sure enough, that tune came on, and we started talking about Adele, I think she is an amazing singer.
‘s Jeff Ayers and Mushroomhead’s ST1TCH (Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert)
JA: Yeah, not going to lie, she is a talented artist.
Skinny: Yeah, just incredible. So we were talking about it, and I said what if we put heavy guitars in it? You know like Metallica or something? Dr. F and I were laughing about it, and after a few more beers, we talked ourselves to go back into the studio and do it. We just knocked it out with some simple drums and guitars, just to get reactions from it, and everyone that came in had a chuckle. So we kept just throwing the whole kitchen sink at it for awhile. After a little bit, it turned into something interesting. You definitely know what tune it is, I don’t think we destroyed it too much. It’s very much in the vain of how we did Seal’s ‘Crazy’ in 2003. It was a lot of fun. It was meant to keep things lite during the writing process. Like, when you get frustrated or something, we could be like ‘Let’s screw around with the Adele tune again!”
JA: You need that in a recording process, to keep it fun.
Skinny: Exactly, it needs to be a good time. So when the album was ready, the label, who originally hated the song, asked us “Hey, what happened to the Adele cover?” Now they love it. It ended up morphing so many times that by the end of it they liked it. It was really for us.
ST1TCH: Yea, we almost re-hauled it again at the end too. We turned in a few different versions and that’s why I think they ended up liking it. At first we were all a little on the fence about it, too ,because there were so many other songs that were also good.
Skinny: We did like five or six different cover songs.
JA: Will we have a chance of hearing any of the songs that didn’t make the cut on subsequent records?
Skinny: Hopefully, yeah. There is a bunch of originals that didn’t make the album either, because we just ran out of time.
JA: That is always good though, to have songs in your back pocket for the next record.
ST1TCH: Absolutely.
Skinny: But like I said, the Adele thing ultimately was just for us. At 20 years in, you got have some kind of fun.
ST1TCH: 20 and a half. Mushroomhead is almost old enough to drink. Watch out!
Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert
JA: Can you guys speak a little on how the game has changed, or how the industry has changed since your beginnings?
Skinny: To bands at our level, like, we missed the ‘record sales’ portion of the industry by three years. Three years earlier and we might not even be here. But, I won’t change anything. For hard-working bands, that have been doing it this long, they are still just working. They punch in, go do their thing, and that’s all they are worried about. It’s funny how, you can get into cycles, like look at us, twelve years later and we are on another festival. Most people might have written us off, but that isn’t the case for the hard-working, honest efforts out there. People tend to know the difference. The rest of the industry though? I would hate to be in a baby band right now.
JA: Is it harder to contend with the ‘baby’ bands out there now?
Skinny: Well there is a lot of them. Oh my god, the saturation of the music industry is incredible. Sometimes, it gets tougher for a band like us. You get people saying, oh they are washed up, or they are gimmick metal. I think that you have to keep pressing on. A lot of bands don’t have that longevity; twenty years, seven albums, four labels. You know what I mean? If they do have that, they already made their millions, they are the big bands. There really isn’t a lot like Mushroomhead, and that’s why it’s always just another day at work for us. I still wake up everyday, like when I was twenty, saying ‘How do I pimp my band? What’s the next thing, how can I push it further?” I feel the exact same passion as when I started.
JA: You have done a lot in your careers, and I am not throwing this around lightly, but you have helped re-invent the idea of heavy music. You aren’t afraid to throw samples in the music, multiple drummers, multiple singers, different instrumentation. Are there any crazy things on the horizon, or things that you have always wanted to integrate into the band you haven’t had the chance to yet?
Skinny: We love working with other people, like guest vocalists on the records. So to see who the next guest might be, and not knowing is a cool thing. But knowing that I do want it, that next tone, that other texture, is exciting.
JA: Musicians are very singular beings. Is it more interesting, or more challenging, being in a band where multiple musicians fill the same roles, like vocalists and drummers, seeing as I am talking to two drummers right now?
Skinny: As long as you can sort through the bad ideas and get to the good ones, I think the more ideas the better. I’d hate to be in a room full of dudes who have no ideas, or no passion.
ST1TCH: We spend a lot of time making sure that it makes sense, too. Not like some bands, where they might have two drummers, but they are playing the same beat. What’s the point? What I do, with water drums, is more about amplifying the show, and percussion. Not muddying it up at all. Just like with three singers, everyone has their parts, and we organize it more like a play, or a theater performance rather than a band going up there and trying to outdo each other. Msuhroomhead is a show, and we are all about entertaining people
Skinny: [in his best Russel Crowe voice] “Are you not entertained!!” That is how I feel up there. We are not rockstars, we are entertainers.
ST1TCH: As soon as that mask goes on, I am not me anymore. I am the character I snap into.
Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert
JA: Mushroomhead was brought up by GWAR, can we talk a little about Dave’s [Brockie] passing. You guys were close right?
Skinny: Yea. The whole GWAR camp gave us our first national anything. Three days after our first show, we were called up for an opening slot at the Cleveland Agora for those guys. So our second show ever was with GWAR. We got to know Dave and Brad and all those guys, and they asked us to do some support stuff the following year. Regional stuff, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania.
ST1TCH: They were in town filming for the Jerry Springer show then
JA: I remember that!
Skinny: I think that was a few years later, but I don’t know. I remember Jerry introducing GWAR on stage and getting hit with a beer in the face. He was so pissed, he got in his limo and left. [laughs]. But anyway, those guys were really nice to us. We were fortunate to spend some time with Dave on Soundwave 2014 in Australia. It was like a high school reunion. They were on at two o’clock, we were on around 11:30 in the morning, so we shared the same dressing area. So we started drinking, you know, ten in the morning, GWAR and Mushroomhead. You gotta start then! I remember eating kangaroo jerky and drinking jagermeister with Dave.
J-Mann (from phone interview): There were shuttles between all the stages, and Dave joined us for every show. He was brilliant, quick-witted, well-rounded, and that all gets disguised in a big rubber suit. He was such a wonderful guy.
Skinny: On our day off, we all got together and went to visit Bon Scott’s grave [AC/DC]. We went to see his memorial down at the harbour in Perth, and some of us even went to the Indian Ocean together. It was so great to see Dave, and we were very fortunate to spend some of the last days with him. We have some many good memories and great footage of hanging out on stage, and personal photos as well.
JA: It’s great to hear that you got that opportunity with him right before he died.
Skinny: Yea, would you like to see the photo of us at Bon Scott’s memorial? It’s pretty heavy man.
*At this point he took out his phone and showed Jim and I this haunting photo. Skinny was gracious enough to let us use it, another piece of the lasting legacy that Dave was a part of, and a testament to the bond between the two bands.
Mushroomhead and GWAR’s Dave Brockie in Australia at Bon Scott’s (AC/DC) memorial less than two weeks before Dave’s untimely death. Photo by Steve “Skinny” Felton.
Skinny: But, anyway, he was a great guy, funny, talented as hell. He left this earth a better place. We were very fortunate to have him for the short time we did. Because, goddamn, I can listen to those records and laugh my ass off still to this day. Like, we were singing ‘Sexecutioner” out loud the other day, and everyone was taking turns, it was pretty funny.
JA: Have you ever thought about doing a GWAR cover for a Mushroomhead record?
ST1TCH: We were just talking about that actually.
Skinny: Yea, because we were just singing that song recently, we started arguing about which song would be better. So you never know, whenever the time is right maybe we can do something like that. But again, God bless those guys.
JA: So what is the next thing in store for Mushroomhead, then?
Skinny: Touring. We are taking a few weeks off after Mayhem, then we will start getting ready for the Halloween season. That time of year is just us, we have to do that. Probably a nationwide tour, and we are also working on four cities in Russia right now.
JA: Have you been out to Russia recently?
ST1TCH: We were just out there in May.
JA: Well with everything that’s going on over there, be careful.
Skinny: Oh yeah, absolutely. But it is insane for us over there, the fans are great.
ST1TCH: They make us feel like the Beatles.
Skinny: That is no bullshit, they are shaking and crying to get into the shows, it is so nuts.
Starting Saturday May 3rd, a Brooklyn art gallery will be displaying art from the late Dave Brockie, also known as Oderus Urungus of the shock group GWAR, died suddenly in March. The cause of death has still gone undetermined.
MF Gallery is having a special memorial art show dedicated Brockie. Part of the proceeds from the show will benefit the Dave Brockie Foundation.
Brockie was a visual artists through different mediums and he collaborated often with MF Gallery; from his solo show / performance in 2004 to GWAR’s Crack-a-Thon in 2010 and 2011, according the a recent press release from Freeman Promotions.
The MF Gallery will open its doors to for the opening party at 7pm. Music by GWAR, Death Piggy and DBX will play throughout the night, and there will be projections of various GWAR / Dave Brockie videos. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Opening night will be a “Cash & Carry” sale, with one third of the proceeds going to The Dave Brockie Foundation. Donations can also be made directly to The Dave Brockie Foundation at: . The art from the show will be available for viewing and purchasing online.
MF Gallery is located at 213 Bond St. in Brooklyn, NY. Contact Martina Secondo Russo at (917) 446-8681 or info@MFgallery.net.
