Gwar founder and singer Dave Brockie dies at 50
Dave Brockie, who as “Oderus Urungus” fronted the alien-costumed heavy metal band GWAR during graphic and fake-blood-soaked stage shows for more than three decades, has died. He was 50.
Officers were called to Brockie’s home Sunday evening and found the singer dead inside the home – Richmond police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh said Monday. Detectives don’t suspect foul play at this time, and the medical examiner’s office will determine cause of death, Waugh said.
The band founded in 1984 is known for its comically grotesque costumes, stage antics and vulgar lyrics. GWAR was nominated for a Grammy Award for best long-form music video in 1993 for “Phallus in Wonderland” but lost to “Diva” by Annie Lennox. It also was nominated for best metal performance for “S.F.W.” in 1996 but lost to “Happiness In Slavery” by Nine Inch Nails.
Dave Brockie.
Brockie’s friend and former GWAR member Chris Bopst confirmed the death to CBS 6 producer Chris Westfall. Richmond Police also confirmed Brockie’s death.
“At approximately 6:53 p.m. on Sunday, Richmond Police were called to a residence in the 4800 block of West Seminary Avenue for a report of a deceased individual” – Richmond Police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh wrote in an email.
“When officers arrived, they found David M. Brockie (50) deceased inside the home.”
His heavy metal band formed in 1984, billing itself as “Earth’s only openly extra-terrestrial rock band.” Brockie performed as Gwar’s frontman under the persona of “Oderus Urungus.”
The band was based on a mythology of an “elite group of chaos warriors” who “ravaged the galaxy” until they were “banished to the most insignificant planet in the universe … the seething mud ball known as Earth.”
“My main focus right now is to look after my band mates and his family” – Flanagan said.
“More information regarding his death shall be released as the details are confirmed.”