Dave Brockie–best known as the masked lead singer of GWAR called Oderus Urungus–was found dead in his home in Richmond, Virginia on Sunday by his roommates. Former bassist Chris Bopst confirmed the bad news to Style Weekly where Bopst works as the mag’s music writer. Brockie’s death is still under investigation, and a cause of death has not been officially determined–but police do not suspect it was the result of foul play.
Naturally, the news has come as a big shock to the heavy metal community. Most people assumed that Oderus Urungus was immortal. Tributes and memories of the man and his crazy stage persona are still pouring in from some of its most recognizable names. Bishop issued the official statement and followed it with his own tribute to his former bandmate calling him “brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way.”
Randy Blythe, the lead singer of Lamb of God, wrote on his Instagram page that was he was truly “one of a kind. I can’t think of anyone even remotely like him. That’s very hard to say.” He followed it with a funny picture of the unmasked Brockie kissing a birthday cake in the shape of his stage likeness.
There’s no doubt the band will still continue to tour and record albums, even in the wake of their leader’s very sudden and sad passing. Brockie was the heart and soul of one of the most creative and original concepts for a metal band that still has a massive, dedicated fan base and knows how to attract attention with its music, entertaining interviews or its stage shows that regularly feature streams of blood covering their crowds and famous figures getting killed in all sorts of creative ways. No matter what happens to the group, Brockie and Oderus will certainly be missed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NzA4XLjRaM&w=600&h=338]
RIP, Dave Brockie, aka The Seemingly Immortal Oderus Urungus of GWAR
