GWAR's stage antics attract fans By John Fox Staff Reporter jtfls3@psu.edu For those who don't know, GWAR is a unique heavy metal band from the depths of outer space. GWAR, an acronym for God What an Awful Racket, has been pumping out bone crushing albums since 1988. Lead singer Oderus Urungus, or Dave Brockie when in human form, talked with The Capital Times about the new album, killing humans, and the bands separation from Metal Blade Records. Urungus said the band has been touring recently in support of their new album, War Party, on DRT Entertainment. "We're touring across America War Party, GWAR's most recent album, is the band's first album since parting with Metal Blade Records. now, putting humans to the sword, torching their cities, raping their midgets, consuming truckloads of drugs, and playing fucking vicious heavy metal until peoples' heads explode. Basically, business as usual." Urungus says GWAR will play any part of the United States that will offer three months of constant employment of chopping people's heads off. "I recommend it heartily to anyone," said Urungus. He also said they will be touring again in the spring. This time the tour will include Europe, Asia, and South America. He prefers to cut off the heads of people from other countries as opposed to Americans. "They seem to think they're superior to Americans," said Urungus. "They think Americans Photo courtesy of www.gwar,net A., .A11014'44". • ;•.` ".0 t .. "f:: . . 11! . . 1 , , ~4 ,4111116 111 46 A 11111141616. Jr; t ., f =II ~~~ , ~;. ~i -., • .•'!. ....0:•6 L. l -. F''_ - .. '-i'P'it .. '-' .'..:ll.'Z''` are a bunch of idiots. I think all humans are idiots and equally deserving of agonizing death." GWAR is notorious for their theatrical stage show. One of the more anticipated parts of the show is when Urungus bears a huge phallus and urinates blood on the crowd. "It really feels good to pee on people in England," said Urungus. Urungus went on to congratulate my inquisitive mind. "I'll have to make a point of soul-sucking you when I come to your fucking disgusting city," he said, "Harrisburg, right? Don't you guys make chocolate there? You guys are worthless. Love ya. Love ya. Some of the most mutated GWAR-freaks come from the mountains of PA." Urungus said there is only one human being out there that is worth his respect - GWAR manager Sleazy P. Martini. "He's a human and he gets my respect because everyday he delivers a 9-ton crack boulder to my cage." Urungus said he has had his share of affairs with human woman but admits to liking the companionship of other Earth dwelling creatures. "I must admit I enjoy fucking animals a lot more than humans," said Urungus. "I find animals are much more refined, articulate, and certainly more knowledgeable in the arts of love." Urungus expressed grief over the recent loss of Pantera's Dimebag Darryl. "It shattered us," said Urungus. "We were onstage in Denver when it happened. When we came out for an encore, we told the audience so they wouldn't have to hear about it first on CNN. He was one of the most fun, rowdy, hell- raisin', and beer drinkin' Texas mother tuckers you'll ever meet." Urungus said he is blown away 4 ‘ St if* s ` O • ~ O ~O O ~ 4 Entertainment GWAR - an otherworldly heavy metal band - is notorious for their theatrical stage shows. Their bizarre cos tumes and outrageous stage performances include blood and fighting as well as music, offering audiences a unique show by the success of the band over the years. "If you would have told me when we put out Hel/-0 that we would still be doing this 18 years later I would have said 'you gotta be kidding me,'" said Urungus. GWAR, who also have a series of comics and a ton of DVD's out, previously had a long-standing relationship with Metal Blade Records. The new album, War Party, marks a break in that relationship. Urungus cleared up the air to squash any rumors of a falling out. "It was just a business thing," said Urungus. "We love Metal Blade. 1.• 4 12) > Q cr , 1. c) ‹te 6 \ c.) It's just that the records weren't being distributed overseas the last couple years and we were only touring America. Now we have a better distribution deal and we are looking forward to touring Europe and other places around the world again." In War Party, GWAR returns to a heavy, more aggressive, guitar oriented sound. Urungus said though he misses a lot of the extra characters in the act, he thinks getting back to the music is a good decision. "I think GWAR is most effective when it's stripped down," said Urungus. "We are leaner, meaner, ak. v. The Capital Times, February 21, 2005 o q) <fs o /\'\ Photo courtesy of Google Images heavier, and sicker. There's just blood flying everywhere. You just get out there and start playing heavy music and fighting and killing. The fans are reacting with a blood soaked thumbs up." Urungus said the band will live on long after they decide to hang it up. Gwar plans to pass the torch onto new life forms so that the legend can live on. But GWAR shows no signs of stopping now. They will be touring the world throughout the spring and into the summer in support of War Party and promise to be smashing fans' skulls for years to come.
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