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Dave Brockie Obituary
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
89 Entries
Mike Masterdono
January 15, 2024
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. I was honored to have just experienced the concerts, but to see his demeanor offstage would leave my face sore the next day from smiling so much.
Rest In Peace Dave.
Ian Maxwell
March 22, 2017
Happy Deathday my friend!
January 10, 2015
“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 person gone from our lives but not forgotten.
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Maxine Daine
June 14, 2014
I will forever miss you darling.
R.I.P Brockie
vcu alum
May 9, 2014
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.
mario ledesma
May 7, 2014
Please stretch your sword unlick across the states in Cali . to retrieve your dvoted slaves for safe passage to honor you...
CLAUDY JACQUES
May 3, 2014
MEET YOU IN METAL METAL LAND !!!! - CLAUDY
Sonja
April 29, 2014
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.
Al
April 29, 2014
Metal will never be the same....
April 28, 2014
My prayers go out to the surviving family and friends may the God of comfort continue to bless you and yours especially after such a tragic loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies. 2 Cor. 1:2,3.
April 27, 2014
Damn it Brockie...
Alex
April 25, 2014
For the music, laughter, punishment, and fun: Thank you Dave, thank you Cory, Long live GWAR!
Lonnie Shedroff
April 22, 2014
It has been almost a month now and I still have a hard time believing you are no longer with us. You will be greatly missed by your legion of fans and your friends and family. If you could read this the one thing I would like to say to you is Thank You for all the great music and art you have blessed me with for half of my life. R.I.P. Dave.
Jim Goderaj
April 21, 2014
Hope to see you on the other side Mr Brockie. You've been and will continue to be an inspiration to me.
David Koch
April 12, 2014
It's been many weeks since you left us and still can't believe this is true! I have not missed you coming to Chicago since 95 and when I wasn't in Chicago I made sure I saw you whether it was in England or another place you were playing. We hung out a few times and I thank you for taking the time to talk to a bohab like myself. I can't say we were close even though I always admired you and those few times we hung out I would brag and say I'm friends with oderus! Well thanks for all the great memories and thanks for listening when you didn't have to! Gwar will always rule and so will Brockie Oi!
Erin
April 10, 2014
Thank you for always bringing me, my sister and brother together for Gwar shows. They have been a family affair for 20 years. Many memories of rock and fun!
TRIAD / MC
DAVID J BHALTAZHAR ESQ
April 5, 2014
April 5, 2014
I don't think this is the right place to paste a cold AP write up featuring details of Cory's death and call it an obituary. Have some respect.
April 4, 2014
May you find comfort from our Heavenly Father.
Alex
April 3, 2014
The world is now officially less cool. You were a pillar of my youth. Underneath the latex, foam, and lyrics lay a supremely talented band and singer. Twenty years since I last bought one of your albums, and the news of your death has shaken me just as much now as it would have then. Just like the wheels keep rollin' and another sad whale song....all alone on the road behind. Sleep well, brother.
eric newhall
April 2, 2014
Thanks for everything Dave -Rip Brother
Taylor Phelps
April 2, 2014
The world is a saner place without you, and I don't like it. We love you and miss you.
Brett
April 2, 2014
Still hard to believe. Saw you guys here in Cincinnati many times and have had the pleasure of meeting you on several of those occasions. You were always very cool to us fans, making us feel like we were more like close friends rather than just fans. We will all miss you immensely...RIP brother...
sing out loud`rip Mr.Dave@Vicky
Victoria ~:~
April 2, 2014
rip`
Dave
So sorry
serene condolences..
George Johnson
April 1, 2014
I never knew him personally, but I was a great fan of all of his work. Death Piggy, GWAR, X-Cops and The Dave Brockie Experience are all great bands, his lyrics cracked me up, his appearances on Red Eye and The Opie and Anthony show were always great, and as Adam Green's imaginary best friend in the closet, he was the best character on Holliston (the last joke he made on the show, had me laughing until it hurt).
Everyone I know, who has ever been privileged enough to meet him, tells me that he was always very nice to his fans (and pretty much everyone around him), and how his sense of humor was as great in real life, as it was on(/in) stage(/screen/audio).
The death of Dave Brockie was a great loss in the world of entertainment, and a far bigger loss to those close to him. My condolences to his family, friends, bandmates, and everyone else who was close to him.
March 31, 2014
You were called to your home planet way to soon my friend. I will never forget the first time I met you...making fun of your own band during one of the opening act at First Avenue in the Cities. It was amzeballs to hear fans defend GWAR to You as you trash talked your own alter ego. I was looking forward to seeing you again this summer...thank you for everything....
Ian K
March 31, 2014
Dave and Oderus...you both were larger than life. Forever one my lords and masters. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the great songs, laughs, and mayhem! I will always remember how amazing you are! I wish for you a safe trip back to Scumdogia.
To Dave's family and friends, I am so very, very sorry for your loss. Always celebrate Dave and the amazing genius he was. Much love to you all!!!
JENNIFER KEEN
March 31, 2014
My heart goes out to all of Dave's family and friends at this time of shock and sorrow. I know my old friend Sean will be happy to see Dave in heaven so they can make the angels laugh. The Rest of us down here will still be mourning their loss. Peace be with you.
Shannon
March 30, 2014
Dave, thank you for everything. I'm going to miss you so much.
Diane Rosemond Hill
March 30, 2014
Dave was a great friend to me! He will be missed!
Mara Cullen
March 30, 2014
Oh Dave. You will be missed
March 29, 2014
Soon death will be no more
DF
March 29, 2014
To the Family,
May Gods loyal love comfort you during
this difficult time.
Psalms 119:76
Dave Hicks
March 29, 2014
Dave,from one fellow muscian to another,loved your stuff, the world is much more quieter now that you are gone R.I.P.
God Bless
Andrew Lee
March 29, 2014
Dave, I will miss you greatly. You have been an idol of mine since my teenage years, and I am well into my thirties now. I've been inspired by your artwork, your sense of humor, and your ability to see the reality of the world in a way that nobody else could.
I always said "I wish that Dave had been able to give his opinion on my art." Two nights after his death, in my grief, I drew a picture of Oderus and tagged him. My girlfriend received the message "I really like it" from my account, and I never said it... almost felt like Dave was speaking beyond the grave to fulfill that one last thing I wanted from him.
I hope to be at your memorial, Dave. I'm going to proudly wear Oderus' mug on my chest for the remainder of my days, a drawing that I did inspired by your art. Rest in peace, and see you in the afterlife. You meant so much to me.
Bob
March 28, 2014
Goodbye Dave. Thank you for everything you brought to this world. I will always miss you.
Brian Crowder
March 28, 2014
The world is a less funny place now that you are gone. Godspeed Dave. Thanks for the music and the laughs. You will be missed.
LONG LIVE ODERUS!!!
March 28, 2014
my condolences...losing a family member during these times can be difficult to deal with but may the God of all comfort, soothe your ailments.
Nicholas Sheldon
March 27, 2014
Thanks for everything you have done dave. I was just a 12 year old kid when I started listen to gwar. Then I wrote to them and started to talk to brad. Then I got to meet dave many times. There was this one time I was on the tour bus with all of gwar. It ment so much to me that they became more then just a band I would go see.One time on the tour bus me and Dave stayed up all night watching old war movies. That moment in my life became so sureal and it just it ment alot to me. I'm such a huge fan and from that point on everytime they came to worecester we would meet up and have a blast. That was just the kind of guys gwar were. They would give you so much respect the fame did not get to them. They were just real super awsome guys. I got to get to know them real good from that point on.Brad,Mike and the rest of everyone that knew Dave. I'm so sorry for your loss I and the rest of the world are sadding from the loss of Dave. I will miss everything Dave has done for me. And Dave you ment so much to me. You are my idol and it hurts me I will never be able to say good by. Thank you and all of GWAR for everything you done. Thank you Brad for reading my letters and getting me to meet my hero. Your friend the pro wrestler Evil Nick.
Rachel Moriarty
March 27, 2014
Dave, it is beyond difficult to express just how you have impacted my life. Your work has made me who I am and given immense comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging. My gratitude for your existing on this earth is immeasurable. Your legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all you impacted. My heart is broken and I feel musically homeless. It is simply impossible to say goodbye.
Joey Tardy
March 26, 2014
R.I.P. Oderus Urungus!! You will be missed but never forgotten!
David Koch
March 26, 2014
Brockie you will truly be missed I am still in shock that you're gone. Your music and legacy will live forever. Thanks for all the great music and art you brought to the world! My thoughts go out to your family and the entire GWAR family past and present.
Angel & "Lefty" Hall
March 26, 2014
I'm the partner of one of Dave's old punk rock buddies. My condolences to Mr. Brockie's family. Rest in Peace, Oderus! You'll be sadly missed.
GWAR after party.
March 26, 2014
RIP Dave. D&T Bishop ~See you in Valhalla!
March 26, 2014
like a man whom his own mother keeps comforting,so I myself shall keep comforting you people.'..ISA.66:13 SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS....DEE
Muriel
March 26, 2014
My condolences to the family. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Scott Cuervo
March 26, 2014
I'm truly saddened over the lost of one Richmond's own
Cynthia Gary
March 26, 2014
Rest in Peace Oderus! It is such s shame that I will never be able to see GWAR now. My condolences to your family. God Speed on your journey back to Scumdogia.
March 25, 2014
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY MAY GOD'S WORDS BRING YOU COMFORT DURING THIS TIME. HE WILL ACTUALLY SWALLOW UP DEATH FOREVER AND CERTAINLY WIPE TEARS FROM ALL FACES IS 25:8
Phil Myers
March 25, 2014
We didn't deserve you man!! But glad we got ya!!! Uhh, seriously!
Columbus, OH - Newport 2013
Jayson Johnson
March 25, 2014
GWAR meant a lot to me. I hoped to take my offspring to see Dave and GWAR. I am utterly sad that I will not be able to see them again. I saw GWAR's last Columbus, Ohio show at the Newport. RIP Oredus. You will never be forgotten.
Jesse Sprague
March 25, 2014
This mudball just got a little sadder with your passing. Thanks for the best times of my life, See you on Scumdoggia.
Copper
March 25, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed my years at VCU in large part due to the music scene which Dave was an integral part of. A very generous person (He was the first person I drank Jagermeister with, sharing his bottle) and an underrated creative genius. A loss for Richmond, RIP.
Scott M
March 25, 2014
Rest in peace, Dave. My thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family and friends. He was irreverent and not everyone appreciated the humor -- but deep down he was a kind, generous man and will be remembered fondly by all those who knew him. The world is a less fun place without him. God bless you, Dave Brockie.
L, W
March 25, 2014
Please accept my deepest condolences. May your family find comfort and hope in drawing close to God at this most difficult time in your lives. [James 4:8]
Malice N. Wonderland
March 25, 2014
My friend, my idle, my mentor, my teacher, my Master. No amount of time will heal this scar. The world just isnt funny anymore. Dave is most beautiful monster I have ever met. See you in Vallhala Brockie Man! #sadwhalebaby Bohab Strong
Darryl Watson
March 25, 2014
In high school I was lucky enough to have David in my circle of close friends and his talent for pointing out the outrageous aspects of everything was/is a factor in how I view the world.
Even though time and miles caused us to drift apart (hanging out daily to the odd visit to the occational calls and email) I shall miss knowing you are out there pointing out how silly us mere humans are. Tonight I will hoist a strong drink to absent friends and tell my children . . . very little about what we did in highschool. and May God's Light and Light be with you.
Randy now
March 25, 2014
We had a lot of fun together on tour and at the City Gardens shows. Kind ... Funny ... Intelligent .. Thanks, Dave for all the great times. Randy "Now" Ellis / Trenton NJ
Dave & me behind a venue in Boulder, where I gave him a Redskins gnome.
Julie Stout
March 25, 2014
I love you Dave, wherever you are. Thank you for your friendship, for everything. Tons of love and support to the entire GWAR family, now and always.
March 25, 2014
Prayers out 2 the Family and The GWAR Family.You will forever be in our hearts.
Much Love,
Dar
Mike MacWilliams
March 25, 2014
Dave was not only a great musician, but a great friend. I met many great people through his generosity and hospitality. He was one of a kind and made many people smile, and will be missed a lot.
Christopher Seitz
March 25, 2014
Forever in my life will Dave Brockie be imprinted within me. His humor and intellectual comments have/will always inspire many. My heart goes out to all his family, friends, and fans....forever
M Scott
March 25, 2014
My prayer goes out to the Mr. Brockie family and friends may God grant them comfort during this time of sorrow.
March 25, 2014
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
March 25, 2014
A loss of a love one is something hard to deal with.may God of all comfort be with you in your time of need.
March 25, 2014
To the Brockie family , our prayer are with you all . Truly sorry for your loss May God give comfort in His words.
Eccl. 7:1. A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.
March 24, 2014
My Condolences go to the Brockie family, The members of Gwar..This is a tragic loss for any fan of Dave and everything he has done... Rest in peace...You and your creativity will be missed...Goodbye :(
March 24, 2014
I'm sorry for your loss. May God your family in times of distress. -Ecclesiastes 5:8, 9
Lee Ellefson
March 24, 2014
Lee Ellefson and Brent Crawford will forever be in debt to the "criminally underrated lyricist" Dave Brockie. I pray to the humans God there will be DBX and Gwar shows in the after life. Brent and I never missed a norfolk or va beach show since 1992. RIP brent and dave
denys
March 24, 2014
LONG LIVE GWAR. Thoughts and prayers to family and fans all over the world
dddave
March 24, 2014
thank you for a lifetime of great music and entertainment. I'll always have my GWAR tattoo as a memorial.
March 24, 2014
My condolences to The Brockie Family. May the "Peace of God"(PhillipiNs 4:6,7) be with you as you cope with such a loss.
March 24, 2014
Rest in peace Dave, soon you will hear his voice. John5:28
Jacqueline
March 24, 2014
Our sincerest sympathies to Brockie family during this most difficult time. Please know that God is near to those that are broken in heart, and those crushed in spirit he saves.
April
March 24, 2014
Please accept my sympathy for your loss. May fans, family and close friends be comforted by the wonderful promise,"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more. Neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
March 24, 2014
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
Derek Nicarry
March 24, 2014
Dave, you were a true pioneer and artist. You will be greatly missed by the throngs of slaves all over this stinking mud-ball planet. Rock on in that great big scumship in the sky.
Little Jay
March 24, 2014
RIP Dave. Your humor and presence in the metal scene will be sorely missed. Many teenage memories of having fun while GWAR played. GWARForever!
Laurie Gasper
March 24, 2014
Long Live GWAR
\m/ \m/
RIP Dave RIP
That is gonna be one hell of a band that just got this guy to join in...
March 24, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. May God grant you all the strength you need to live each day without Philippians 4:13
Scott Chamberland
March 24, 2014
R.I.P
Dave "Killer" Keller
March 24, 2014
Rock In Peace my Metal Brother \m/
March 24, 2014
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
David Suh
March 24, 2014
I'm in shock, he was my best friend in high school, I can't believe he's gone, he was a so creative and talented.
March 24, 2014
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Lee
March 24, 2014
So sorry to hear of the death of your family member. She will be missed by many.
March 24, 2014
GWAR RULZ!!! RIP
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