Money? Tribute? Why? I don’t get it.
All of the above.
And really, let’s face it, while Brockie was really the soul and main mastermind of GWAR, he wasn’t the sole musician or creator of music or ideas.
We didn’t go to GWAR shows because we thought we’d be moved to tears by some amazing transcendant cello performance or expecting to see Sidney Poitier deliver a heart-wrenching soliloguoy on racism in the 21st century . . .
We go to GWAR shows to jump around, go bananas, get splattered in blood and green semen, have some beers and laughs, and have an amazing time . . . don’t get me wrong, I actually really dig the music, but that’s kind of incidental. And when you have people in 50lb foam rubber suits, the flesh on the inside does become a bit interchangeable.
I’d still see GWAR.
If it sucks, it sucks.
But I’d rather go see a concert that sucks put on by a bunch of lunatics chopping each other to pieces on stage, than by some flannel-wearing, bearded buttfags, staring at their sandals and crying about how misunderstood they are in a world of sadness.
Riverman, I’m just curious – have you seen GWAR live before?
I love Gwar. And everything that Gunnar said is pretty much spot on.
Run around, drink, get bloody. Good times.
I dunno, it’s just not GWAR without Oderous.
I dunno, it’s just not GWAR without Oderous.
I’m still waiting to hear from Riverman, but perhaps you can answer the same question, Prologue . . . Have you seen GWAR live?
Yes, I saw GWAR live once while on a ski trip to NY. We were in Montreal one day because the weather stunk, it must have been raining. It was a looooong time ago in a galaxy far far away… Anyway, we were walking down the street and someone looked up, on the marquee of the theater read GWAR TONIGHT! We knew it was destiny. Had a great time. Quite the spectacle.
Right on. Glad you had a good time.
Some of us still want to have good times.
You are obviously not represented in this, but one of the reasons I asked (and I’m still waiting for Riverman’s answer) is because it seems that so often when a band loses a key member or something, there’s some comments from the sidelines that the band needs to call it quits or it’s not still _____ without ____. Typically very few of these people are actual fans and many times they’ve never even been to a show.
I’m not personally a fan of Alice in Chains, though I’ve seen them twice (with Layne). I’ve never cared one way or another that they’ve continued on with a new singer. It means something to someone, and that’s okay by me.
For a lot of us, too, the live experience is about more than just the band on stage. It’s a community. No matter how many potshots I’ve taken at Al or Ministry over the years, I never miss a chance to hit a show. We still all love the music (even if we’re only going to get 3 or 4 “classics”). But more than that, we get to catch up with our homies in the parking lot, at the bar, in the pit . . . friends we’ve made over 20-25 years sometimes. We don’t really want to toss in the towel and go home just because we’re a man short.
I get what you are saying. In general, I don’t mind if bands carry on once an original/founding/important member leaves. Van Hallen did it a few times. As you mentioned Alice in Chains. I also think William Duvall is doing a decent job as front man.
Sometimes, though, an individual is so associated with the band that it’s better if the remaining members changed the name or broke up. Ex. there is no Ministry without Al. It’s like the New Doors. I don’t blame the remaining Doors members for wanting make music but when Morrison expired, the Doors died. When Dave Brockie died, Oderous died, and GWAR should be laid to rest.
If the remaining members call themselves anything but GWAR, I’d be OK. There are times when you just can’t go home again.
I’ve seen GWAR and I don’t get how they’ll do it without Oderous. He was on the mic 90% of the time.
I see and understand both sides of that issue, and yes, a name change would perhaps be the most respectful way to accommodate people on all corners of the field.
I really don’t know what a post-Oderus GWAR will end up being like. There have been many songs sung without Oderus on lead vocals, though, and it was suggested that the show would be more of a menagerie of different characters singing their parts. Who knows?
If it comes to pass and it’s a complete abomination, then I’ll make a new judgment accordingly, but I’d like to see how this plays out.
I’ve seen GWAR and I don’t get how they’ll do it without Oderous. He was on the mic 90% of the time.
This is my thought as well. Although, now hearing the concept, I’m a little more ok with it. It could be a cool tribute, if they do it right.
As much as I wanna say leave the memories alone, I’m getting the impression that this is a farewell tour. Although, Brockie did state in a VH1 interview years ago that GWAR could go on for decades since so many people have come and gone throughout the years. Kinda sucks I missed their last tour with Brockie, since the idea of seeing them twice got brought up (they were doing shows in Sacramento and SF). I at least caught them on election day in 2 years ago, which would be the most appropriate of days to see a band like that.
Ok, Ok! Sorry it took so long to respond…No, i never have seen GWAR. Met Dave once and he was a very nice guy! I’m from the DC-Richmond area, so i’ve been aware of them since the 80’s. I get it now - a friend of mine said “He still might be in the band!” Just a simple question, that’s all…
No sweat. Thanks for confirming.
For the record, I’ve seen both post-Jello DK and post-Danzig Misfits and was really impressed by both.
I’ve not seen them live, and was never a hardcore Doors fan, but I would have loved a chance to see the Ian Astbury led version of that too (a more apt substitute does not exist in the universe, as far as I’m concerned). What I had seen and heard (via video) was most excellent.
I’m pretty accepting of stuff nowadays. I only see a small number of shows and buy a VERY small number of new CD’s each year, so it’s really no skin off my back to say “no” to a few more. But I really appreciate having the options out there.
Not sure if you are into the GWAR lore at all… but I just watched the entire video from the GWARBQ a few weeks ago.
#1 - Blothar does quite well as the new singer
#2 - They bring back a lot of characters from back in the day. Not sure if they will all be there on tour but… Sleazy P Martini, Sawborg Destructo, Sexacutioner, Gor-Gor, all made appearances.
If you got a few moments to spare:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQP3Hx3QLAs
Good times.
I’ve not seen them live, and was never a hardcore Doors fan, but I would have loved a chance to see the Ian Astbury led version of that too (a more apt substitute does not exist in the universe, as far as I’m concerned). What I had seen and heard (via video) was most excellent.
The Doors Of The 21st Century hahaha! While I agree that it would’ve been a bad ass show, I find it funny that they started a short lived trend around that time of classic bands with a singer of another classic band. You also had Queen + Paul Rogers and The New Cars with Todd Rundgren replacing Ric Ocasek.
The Doors Of The 21st Century should have asked Danzig to sing for them instead of Ian Astbury [:)]
The Doors Of The 21st Century should have asked Danzig to sing for them instead of Ian Astbury [:)]
I imagine Ray Manzarek would’ve wound up knocking Danzig out cold for being a prick. Then Robby Krieger and John Densmore would’ve stood Danzig up on stage and made it appear like nothing had happened but, in reality, his mic would be turned off because he’d be out of it from suffering a broken jaw. Therefore, Manzarek would be doing his best Danzig imitation and the audience wouldn’t know the difference.
Sadly, we’ll never get to know. I cursed Manzarek about a year ago and he died the very same day. Sorry. I really didn’t think it was going to work that quickly.