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 I had the pleasure of witnessing a [[GWAR]] show in the mid-ninties and to this day, it goes down as one of the most memorable of all. When the opportunity recently presented itself to speak with Dave Brockie (aka vocalist Oderus Urungus), there was no way I could pass it up. Here in all his glory, along with a special guest, is Dave’s responses to my humble questions.
Fears: Thanks Dave for your time. Since there are probably not too many questions you have not been asked many times over…
Dave: (interjecting) You’d be surprised.
Fears: Surprised?
Dave: You’d be surprised. There’s all kind of things people haven’t asked me yet. And I’m just waiting to tell you about.
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Fears: Well then I will ask you this, what is one of those questions you have been patiently awaiting to be asked of you? Tell us something tantalizing about yourself or GWAR.
Dave: No that’s too easy. Hold on a second
Fears: Okay.
Dave: Ah, it’s that time for the first beer of the day.
Fears: 12:20 PM and already kickin’ it.
Dave: That’s right.
Fears: What has GWAR had to do or change throughout the years to remain in the public’s psyche and to keep packing the fans in the venues? The shows are similar in presentation, but is it a conscious thought when things change because of the attempt to stay viable or are changes strictly self-serving?
Dave: Oh boy ah, I don’t know. Personally I’ve been doing the same things I’ve always done. I’ve always been interested in what’s going on in the world. Politics, religion, society in general and all the permutations and convolutions of it. It’s a very chaotic, turbulent time and as an artist, especially an artist who is trying to make an impact on impressionable young minds in a positive manner; you have to keep up with what’s going on. So many people in these rock-n-roll bands are complete dumbasses and it’s like I don’t need these people as role models in my life. I don’t need them as anything except as examples of how not to behave. Everyone in this band and who has been involved with it is culturally aware, intellectually stimulating, fucking interesting people. We try to make sure that all the people who work for us give a damn. We’re not quite sure about what, but we do. And I think that the fact that we know we have power to exploit makes us want to use it well. GWAR continues to be very timely and a relevant commentator on society and its various ills and evils. We’ve almost reached tooth-fairy status or like Santa Claus cause GWAR is right up there too. Like a mythic force that continues to thrive and there’s never been a band like it and for an artist there has never been an opportunity like it.
 The latest GWAR epic
Dave: Well I think we all really do care about what is going on in this world. We’re very conscientious artists and members of society. I even get mad at people for littering. That is one of my pet peeves. I see people dropping cigarette wrappers and I’ll get all over ya for that stuff. It’s too easy to not give a shit. A lot of people seem to think that it is a strength of character to not give a fuck about something. In fact, if there could be one phrase that summed up people’s attitudes more strongly than anything else it would probably be, “I don’t give a fuck” and to me that’s not something that is admirable. That to me it’s just somebody giving up on the human race. That’s not me. I do give a fuck. I care about people. I care about other people that are around me. I care about the people who are going overseas to fight our stupid wars. I care about the people that live in the countries that are getting the shit bombed out of them by the United States for no fuckin’ reason. I care about the legacy GWAR will leave. There are a million things I care about and that’s why we’re here. To give a fuck. Not to not give a fuck.
Fears: Would you say your viewpoints and opinions lean more toward liberalism or conservative or is the motto, “What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong” a better fit?
Dave: I think I’m a liberal person, but I’m a moral person. I believe what is right is what is right and what is wrong is what is wrong. For instance, I don’t support abortion even though I would say I am a liberal person, but I just can’t support abortion. To me, it really seems like a messed up thing to do and people should be more responsible about their sexual activities. Yeah, I understand the right to choose and people that are raped and stuff like that, but just as a person, I can’t, I can’t support it. I’ve known girls who were right on the edge of having abortions and then at the last second decided not to and then like ten years later here this kid running around in my living room, not my kid (chuckling), and here I am looking at this kid going, ‘I’m so glad they didn’t abort your ass and throw you in the dumpster.’ It sounds strange coming from someone who has simulated the most disgusting abortions on stage you could possibly imagine
 Beefcake
Dave: Yeah, but this group is made up of all different individuals. They all have their own political agendas and some don’t give a damn about politics and they’ve all got their own opinions and feelings about everything. But I think we’re all fairly like-minded. I don’t think we have any
you know, I’m not gonna say I’m a Republican or a Democrat because of the politicians are so full of shit that I don’t believe or trust any of’em. None of them would get my vote. If I had to vote for someone, I probably vote for libertarian. I choose to abstain. I don’t think voting means a damn thing is this country and I think the way the last couple of elections have gone is the painful truth of that.
Fears: But is not voting something that each American should take pride in doing?
Dave: Oh definitely. Unfortunately I think the whole system is rigged. I think it’s a sham. Just what happened in the State of Florida especially should be a really big wake up call to a lot of people about what’s going on in our country. Cause the right to vote and to choose our own government is one of the most basic things of the Constitution and when that is taken from you, as far as I’m concerned, it’s time to revolt.
 Balsac
Dave: GWAR has always been a force for change and I have not openly backed rebellion in the streets except for maybe demonstrations and stuff, but the more war drags on and the more that I see really good people struggling so hard in our country to have the most basic things in their lives, it’s not that I’m losing interest, I’m getting more aggravated as I get older. Especially when you do things like go to Europe and you tour Europe and you see how everyone’s living over there – very well. The Europeans enjoy an excellent standard of living. They really know how to make their countries work really well. Everything is very energy efficient. Everyone has plenty of food. Everyone’s got health care. Everyone has a great place to live. There’s no ghettos. The crime rates are fine. Everyone is driving around in Mercedes. Then you come back to America, “Land of the free, home of the brave”, richest most powerful country in the world and 90% of our country is in a third-world state. There’s something very wrong and GWAR is getting more and more pissed off about it as we get older. You know, we’ll see what happens. We’ve lived through amazing times and I really would like to see things turn around again. I think America has been in a dark place now for a long time.
Fears: Well the world in general, not just America, isn’t looking very bright.
Dave: No it’s not and we really need a leader that can come forth and really inspire our people to do the right thing – whatever the hell that is, whoever the hell that is – I don’t know. But I tell ya, when I look at George W. Bush, I don’t feel particularly inspired.
 Flattus
Dave: He’s a puppet isn’t he? If there was ever a leader that really showed how little power the President actually has is George Bush. I mean everything he says, everything that he does, he has to rehearse and memorize before he does it. He’'s not the dude that’s really making the decisions. It’s the gigantic, multi-national oil and industrial complexes that run this world. And it might even sound naive to say it because it’s such an obvious thing, but it’s true and the only thing that can break that is a President that has the intellect and the balls to take these guys on and unfortunately and usually when you have Presidents like that, they end of dead.
Fears: What about your alter ego Oderus? Do you think he could take on the world issues? Conquer and destroy?
Dave: He'’d make the world into a giant death camp. Everyone would have plenty to eat for a few days then everyone would be dead. You don’t want to let Oderus run things. Things would get a lot worse before they get better.
Fears: At what point in time would the members of GWAR (Oderus, Flattus, Balsac, Beefcake, etc.) decide to call it quits? Make the declaration, “Our mission here has been accomplished. We have succeeded!” What has GWAR’s ultimate goal been?
(At this point, Oderus Urungus makes his presence known)
 Jizmak
Fears: Well Oderus, thank you more stopping by. Before you leave, let me ask you what your most favorite kill was on the Viva La Bands tour?
Oderus: The most consistent kill we had lately on the new album, Beyond Hell
we were traveling to hell and experiencing all kinds of weirdoes down there. Basically for the show, we kind of travel around in hell and then rise to the surface and take the entire venue down to hell with us and I kept running into George W. down there. It’s like, ‘George, what are you doing in hell? You’re not dead.’ And he’s like, “I just got assassinated.” And the whole audience is like, “Hooray!” I then chime up and say, ‘The greatest thing about you being in hell W is that I can chop your fucking head off over and over.’ People loved that scene more than anything else.
Fears: What is in store for GWAR from now to the end of the year?
Oderus: We’re basically touring to right around the end of the year. Then we’ll all be done. GWAR will retreat back to Antarctica and begin preparations for the most joyous of occasions, which is just around the corner, the 25th anniversary of GWAR. Reborn on the planet Earth. And it’s going to be
Fears: (interjecting) An amazing spectacle?
Oderus: Oh hell ya. We’re basically gonna take all next year and stay in Antarctica and write new music and come up with all kinds of cool new stuff. Then release a new album, and whatever goes out with that album, towards the end of next year. Then start the great reunion celebration and hopefully that will destroy the entire planet once and FOR ALL and there will be much rejoicing.
Fears: You said the word “reunion”
Oderus: Oh, I didn’t mean reunion like that.
 Oderus
Oderus: But yes, we have kept in contact with Slymenstra and Sleazy P. Martini and some of the other GWAR characters that used to be around and we’re hoping that some of them will be making some appearances, but it’s still too early to tell. I would love to have GWAR women come back, but then again I don’t really want to have a giant mace up side my head every night. So you’ve got to like weigh the pros and cons of the matter.
Fears: One of my favorite movies is Road Warrior and I’ve always wondered how Oderus would fit into that type of environment. Do you think you would be able to function in such a barbaric setting? (Laughing)
Oderus: Oh I would thrive there - come on. Road Warrior came out before GWAR had been reborn, but a lot of people don’t understand that while we were in our coffins in Antarctica we were manipulating the minds of the human beings with our dreams pretty much. And yeah, George Miller was completely inspired for Road Warrior and Mad Max by me of course. I mean look at those guys, they all look like they’re right out of GWAR. And basically what we were doing was preparing the world for GWAR’s rebirth. I would be great in Road Warrior. First off, I would kill Humongous, you know, the Lord of the Wasteland. He would have to go cause I’m the Lord of the Wasteland.
Fears: Can’t have two kings on the throne.
Oderus: Right. Then that guy with the Mohawk, the annoying gay one, I would kill him too. No, I would make him and Humongous fight to the death first of all. Then I would go after that Mel Gibson character.
Fears: This question is a two-parter. One for Dave and one for Oderous.
Dave / Oderus: Oh god, how can I avoid a personality disorder after this one?
Fears: Oh I don’t know. I’ll tread lightly. For Dave, what has been your best achievement in life?
Dave: Definitely GWAR without a doubt. GWAR has been the greatest thing that I’ve ever had the honor to be involved with. The fact that we’ve kept it going so long. The fact that I’ve got so many of the original people working around me. The fact that people still find it relevant and current and exciting and fun. And the fact that it’s never really been huge. I mean, GWAR is huge yes, but it’s never had that huge success that you would expect from a band that’s been around for so fucking long. We are the hardest working band in show business. None of us are getting rich off of this. We do it because we love it. Yeah, we make enough money to survive and when we tour we can make a good living, but it’s never been about the money. It’s been about the art. It’s been about the statement.
Fears: So when you all start collaborating on a new album, the money return factor is very low on the priority list?
Dave: We design our shows and write our records for one reason and one reason only, the love and joy of creating art. To have the attention of people that support us with their hard earned cash, for an artist, it’s a dream come true and when I was a little kid, I always wanted to be an artist. Wasn’t sure what type of artist I was going to be, I just knew that I wanted to be out there doing something like that. And I always said to myself that if I could just figure out a way to make a living off of my art, I would be the happiest person in the world. And I’ve been the happiest person in the world, now, for 23 years.
Fears: That’s a rather big statement to make. Not many people can claim that.
Dave: I talk to young bands all the time that are so messed up. They’re like, ‘Oh we’re gonna get signed and we’re gonna make all this money and this and that’ and I’m just like they don’t realize they’re just like cutting the heart and soul out of their music. That’s not the motivation to make art.
Fears: And lastly, what is the biggest achievement for you Oderus?
Oderus: DEFEATING the Lord of Hell. A lot of people call him Satan, but his actual name is Juicifer. Finding out that hell was run by the Jews and defeating him in combat. Taking over hell as my personal playground and then installing Paris Hilton’s severed head on a pole right outside my beastial boudwa.
Fears: Good enough. Many thanks Dave.
Dave: All right brotha. Have a good one.
Always get the latest information on the band at: http://www.gwar.net
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