Dave-Brockie-Obituary

Dave Brockie

Obituary

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - 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.

Randy Blythe, the lead vocalist for Virginia-based metal band Lamb of God, fondly recalled Brockie's approach to humor in a post on the band's Facebook page: "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.'"

GWAR released its latest album, "Battle Maximus," in September 2013 and recently toured Australia and Japan. Over the summer, the band held its 4th annual GWAR-B-Q at a small water park in Richmond and released its own canned craft beer for the occasion made by Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Fla. The band had announced plans for its 5th annual event last week.

Brockie remained a constant in the band that has had a revolving door of members, including lead guitarist Cory Smoot, who was found dead on the band's tour bus in North Dakota in 2011. He was 34.

The state medical examiner said Smoot, who had performed since 2002 under the name "Flattus Maximus, " died of "coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease." But records showed that investigators found on Smoot a $5 bill with a white powder residue, a prescription bottle holding eight Oxycodone-Acetaminophen pills, a lighter and two empty syringes.

___

MICHAEL FELBERBAUM, Associated Press


Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

I still remember how good natured Dave was when Gwar would play Philadelphia, and I was lucky enough to meet the band on what probably the first tour of my city. I went to their shows every time they were in town for several tours, and will forever miss those days. He had an easy way about him. He was an inspiration to me in the formative years of my life, and I still haven´t heard a band sound half as good live... not to mention the costumes and masks, but his energy moved the entire venue....

Happy Deathday my friend!

“For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones.” (Hebrews 6:10). Dave Brockie will never be forgotten for all the work that was done for this community and especially those encouraged and inspired in this persons' care. May God continue to strengthen the family and friends in these “times hard to deal with” (2 Tim 3:1), especially without a beloved one such as this talented and loved...

I will forever miss you darling.
R.I.P Brockie

we met at hibbs and you liked my newly purchased albums. i was there for death piggy's first show. alas, i was never a fan of your bands. but you were a bigger than life kind of guy. extroverted to the max. rest in peace.

Please stretch your sword unlick across the states in Cali . to retrieve your dvoted slaves for safe passage to honor you...

MEET YOU IN METAL METAL LAND !!!! - CLAUDY

You will always be 'just Dave" :) and i will foever miss our snowball fights and making snow angels. Alot of people never got to see that side of you..... I will miss you my friend.