Long-time Gwar band member, Dave Brockie, has died at 50 years old. Also known on-stage as, Oderus Urungus, Brockie was the most consistently present member in a band that changed lineups frequently.
Formed in Richmond, Virginia in 1984, Gwar is well-known for its violence, sexual content and social/political humor, as well as memorably graphic violent acts performed on stage. Such acts include audience being sprayed with fake blood. An exceptional musician, Brockie went from playing guitar to bass to vocals in the span of his musical career.
Gwar has made 13 studio albums to date. The band was nominated for Grammy Awards twice, the first for “Best Long Form Video” in 1993 (Phallus in Wonderland), when they lost to Annie Lennox, and the second for “Best Metal Performance” in 1995 (S.F.W.), which they lost to Nine Inch Nails.
Brockie’s most recent work incorporates his on-stage character into the sit-com Holliston, featured on FEARnet cable television network. Holliston creator Adam Green used Urungus as an imaginary alien friend and guardian angel that lived in his closet, and he’d look to Urungus for answers to his problems. Holliston was established as a success within three months of its premiere episode, and Brockie appeared as Urungus with Holliston colleagues several times in 2013 in live performances.
Green was writing the third season when Brockie died in March of this year. He was found by a fellow band member, the cause of his death was later ruled a heroin overdose.
