Dave Brockie, the gory-costumed frontman for the satirical thrash-metal band Gwar, was found dead in his Richmond, Va., home, Mashable has confirmed. He was 50.
Known by his stage name Oderus Urungus, Brockie was found Sunday evening, according to Richmond police. Authorities do not suspect foul play, and the medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of Brockie’s death.
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The band was expected to issue a statement Monday. Still actively recording and touring — their most recent album, Battle Maximus, came out last summer — Gwar did not have any dates scheduled, though they were planning to front the fifth annual “Gwar-B-Q” on Aug. 16 in Richmond.
Known for horror-inspired costumes, fake onstage death rituals and relentless thrash, Gwar was formed in 1984 by Brockie, who was its last remaining original member. The death was first reported by Style Weekly, a Richmond newspaper, which spoke with former Gwar bassist Mike Bishop.
"Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I've known," Bishop said. "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."
The band recently dealt with the death of another member, guitarist Cory Smoot (who went by the stage-name Flattus Maximus), who died while on tour in North Dakota in 2011.
Though their act was largely tongue-in-cheek, Gwar regularly lampooned politicians and pop culture figures, both with its lyrics and onstage antics (check out their version of Barack Obama in the video above). Brockie often donned his Oderus Urungus getup for social commentary, including as a contributor on Fox News.
The band was Grammy-nominated for best long-form music video in 1993, losing to Annie Lennox; and again for best metal performance in 1995, losing to Nine Inch Nails.
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