Dave Brockie -- perhaps better known as Oderus Urungus, the lead alien monster of metal band GWAR -- was found dead at his home in Richmond, Virginia on Sunday, March 23rd, 2014. He was 50 years old. Jack Flanagan, the band's manager, released this statement:
"It is with a saddened heart that I confirm my dear friend Dave Brockie, artist, musician, and lead singer of GWAR, passed away at approximately 6:50 p.m. EST Sunday, March 23, 2014. His body was found Sunday by his bandmate at his home in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond authorities have confirmed his death and next of kin has been notified. A full autopsy will be performed. He was 50 years old, born August 30, 1963. My main focus right now is to look after my bandmates and his family. More information regarding his death shall be released as the details are confirmed."
The cause of death is not yet known, but police are saying they do not suspect foul play.
GWAR began in 1984 and has been making records and touring consistently since, with Dave Brockie as the sole founding member. Over the course of his career, he released 12 studio albums with GWAR, 3 solo records as The Dave Brockie Experience, and a plethora of videos, live records, and films. GWAR released their latest record, Battle Maximus, in September of 2013.
Friends of the late singer were shocked at the news, and have posted tributes and photos in a variety of locations. Former GWAR bassist Mike Bishop told Style Weekly:
"Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I've known. He was brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way. But he was also deeply intelligent and interested in life, history, politics and art. His penchant for scatological humors belied a lucid wit. He was a criminally underrated lyricist and hard rock vocalist, one of the best, ever! A great front man, a great painter, writer, he was also a hell of a bass guitarist. I loved him. He was capable of great empathy and had a real sense of justice."
Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe posted this statement to his Instagram:
I got a very sad call tonight from my buddy Chris Bopst, who was one of the original members of GWAR- my friend Dave Brockie, AKA Oderus Urungus, the singer of GWAR, has left the building & taken off back to his home planet. He was 50 years old. I do not know details of why he died yet, just that he passed away at home & his roommates found him. When someone dies, a lot of the time people will say "Oh, he was a unique person, really one of a kind, a true original"- most of these people no idea of what they are talking about- they obviously had never met Dave. Dave TRULY WAS ONE OF A KIND- I can't think of ANYONE even remotely like him. That's VERY HARD TO SAY. My band learned how to become a real touring band from GWAR- they gave us out first shot at this thing. I learned many things from Dave, many of which I am eternally grateful for, and some of which I am deeply ashamed of. I took this picture at his birthday party a few months ago- Dave kissing his Oderous birthday cake. Right now, if I were to truly honor Dave in the way HE would do it if it were ME that had died, I would make a completely tasteless joke about his death. But I do not have the stomach for that- Dave would, but not me. He never put much stock in "limits". Richmond, VA has lost one of its most creative people. This is a crying shame to me. Thank you Brockie, for all the crazy shit you did- thank God you existed, so you could do it and I didn't have to. It was an honor to know you, to be your Shaky Slave, to serve in the Blood Vomits along side you (let's ride!), and to be soaked by your sweet cuttlefish. RIP Dave Brockie. Oderous, enjoy your trip back home.
Fans across the internet have expressed their feelings as well, transforming GWAR's and Dave Brockie's respective Facebook pages into de facto shrines to the late artist. Fans shared their first experiences with GWAR, memories of Dave, and photos spanning his entire career. Tell us your first GWAR experience or favorite memory below.
The band posted this image at their official website. RIP, Oderus.
Source: Richmond Style Weekly
