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GWAR

Interviewed by Mike Korn

Interview with Oderus Urungus from 2011 (note, this interview was conducted BEFORE the death of Flattus Maximus.)

MSJ:

Hail to GWAR! You've been on The Return of the Maggot tour for a while now. How has your latest campaign of debauchery gone?

Very well indeed. We've been playing to a lot more people this time since we decided to focus on the big cities and eliminate the bumf*** small towns from our itinerary. We are focused like a laser on where we can do the most damage instead of wandering around the rural sticks.
MSJ: It can be somewhat grueling to be a band on one of GWAR's tours. What sort of an ordeal does a band have to go through to be accepted?
Eh, it's not really that big a deal. Main thing is, you don't suck. We choose bands that we ourselves enjoy watching and we've had great luck. Once in a while, we get saddled with lame bands when we have "buy ons" join up with us. That can be due to a venue or local promoter. The reason those bands have to "buy on" to a show is usually that they're no f***in' good in the first place. It is a necessary evil. But as far as the current tour goes, we couldn't be happier with the bands on it.
MSJ: I was really happy to see you guys hook up with Ghoul. What led to this summit between Antarctica and Creepsylvania?
I tell ya, Ghoul is great! I've been watching them every night on this tour. Sometimes I'm here in the back chillin' out while the openers are on, but not with these guys. They slay! We do have a connection with them. One of our former Slave Pit guys, Scott, is helping them design their stage gear and props. Difference is, we still have a whole army of Slaves helping us while Ghoul just has Scott at this point.
MSJ: They've got a back story like GWAR does and really defined characters.
Yeah, they are following in the tradition of many bands like GWAR and Slipknot. I think they just may be the next big thing.
MSJ: Speaking of Antarctica, have you dudes started a version of "Occupy Antarctica" yet?
Yes, there is a full branch of the movement in Antarctica. Unfortunately, there are not many inhabitants there who can take part. There are a lot of rabid penguins and of course, GWAR. The place seems barren, I don't know why. All are welcome to join us there as we protest not only filthy bankers of the 1% but the other 99% of entire human race as well! We are inclusive!
MSJ: Your most recent record "Bloody Pit of Horror" was such a colossal blast. How are you going to top it?
Hmmm, many secret plans are being hatched in the Pit and I'm not at liberty to give full details. However, I can tell you it will be based on the Mayan concept of 2012 being the end of the world. You see, GWAR has traveled through not only space but time...we have come from the future and we know what the end will bring! We will now share these horrors with the rest of you. I personally am fascinated by how every ten years or so, humanity seems to predict its own demise and it never really happens. Well, this time will be different!
MSJ: Who are some of the creators...authors, movie makers, etc...who have inspired GWAR over the years?
Many of the giants. Lovecraft, of course. Monty Python has always been a big influence on us.
MSJ: Maybe Russ Meyer?
Actually I didn't have a f***ing clue on Russ Meyer, but our old member Sexocutioner introduced me to his films and I spent one whole entire day watching the Russ Meyer collection. The man was a demented genius.
MSJ: How about pro wrestling?
I was never much into wrestling, not like some of the other members. I always kind of lumped it in with NASCAR. I admire the brute force of it and the violence, but it was more for the other guys than me.
MSJ: Like Beefcake the Mighty?
Actually back in the day, Techno Destructo was the guy who was huge into wrestling. We have many, many influences...all from the worst of humanity!
MSJ: Do you guys remember when you paid a visit to South Beloit, Illinois?
(groans) I am still trying to forget it. I remember being shown this place on the map and saying, “we have to f***ing appear here?” Arrgh, it is something I am trying to purge from my mind.
MSJ: Do you still stay creative with other bands like X-Cops and Dave Brockie Experience?
Oh sure, I'm in a constant state of creativity! I'm writing a lot of horror stories...just got published in an anthology with a lot of other famous horror writers. But the kind of horror I write is different than the usual s***. It is more "GWAR-ror". My book Whargoul is in that mode and there's more on the way!
MSJ: Who's that guy named “King?”
Never heard of him! We are also working at our big complex in Richmond, Virginia coming up with all sorts of fiendish stuff. The Slave Pit is in constant motion. We have four other bands working with us in this space.
MSJ: Care to share who they are?
It doesn't really matter. They are all from the area. There are no real rock star egos involved. Some people would think "oh wow, we are practicing in the same space as GWAR," but we don't give a s*** about that kind of stuff.
MSJ: It sounds like a real creative explosion.
It always is! In the early days of GWAR, it was definitely more about the show. We didn't care about the music so much. But then we knew we had to step up our game as far as the music goes. We are much tighter, much better musicians now. But there are so many places we can go with the concept of this band.
MSJ: I always wondered why there isn't a continuing GWAR comic book.
So do I! It's the perfect medium for us, but it must be done our way, with our input and not before!
MSJ: I'd think a GWAR movie would be awesome, too!
Yeah, it would be, but we can't find anybody willing to put money in the damn thing. Maybe we are too offensive? Really? In this day and age? I mean, GWAR has been a proven concept for 25 years. Come on, man...invest in GWAR! Take a chance!
MSJ: How about a video game?
This has also been discussed. We'd put out the most violent f***in' video game in the universe. Oderus would be chopping his way through all kinds of trolls. I'd actually like the screen to gradually fill up with blood as the game progresses. We'd like it to be rated NC-17!
MSJ: Do you ever foresee a time when you lay down your weapons and GWAR will be no more?
No, never. GWAR will continue on into infinity. Even when we physically can no longer perform, the fans will carry on and create their own stories.  But we can do this for a long, long time. I mean, look at Alice Cooper! He's still out there doing his thing and it's been forty f***in' years for him.
MSJ: He's doing Welcome To My Nightmare Part 2 now.
I saw Alice in concert a little while back. Had to say, I thought it looked a little cheesy compared to the glory days. I think he's toning things down and making things nicer. Well, we've had to do that, too, from time to time. You know, the guy's great. He's another big influence on us. He's one of the last of the rock stars still getting advances from the labels. The advances are what keep him going.
MSJ: If you could ask any three people from history to dinner, who would they be?
We've already hobnobbed with so many people. I mean, GWAR has even had Jesus Christ on stage with us. Let's see...Abraham Lincoln. How about Jack The Ripper? That way we could find out who the son of a b***h is! Who else, who else? Could you take Laurel and Hardy as one person?
MSJ: Why not?
I like them. But maybe we'll make it Adolf Hitler instead. Lincoln, Jack The Ripper, Adolf Hitler...that sounds like a party to me!
MSJ: What was the last CD or record you got just because you wanted to listen to it?
I got the latest U2 record. In fact, that's about the only f***n' thing I've listened to for the last year. I think it's great. It's classic, it really speaks to the times we're going through. I don't know, I'm just really into arty, fa**y Irish rock bands!
MSJ: And the last band you saw live because you wanted to?
Easy. That was Ghoul, right here on this tour!
MSJ: Now this is something we always ask, but this time, it might be crazier than usual.
Lay it on me...
MSJ: Is there one particular Spinal Tap moment from your history you'd care to share with us?
I got a good one right off the bat. This goes a while back, when we were filming a video for "Sex Cow" outside on a lake. We were all in a boat, dressed in full armor and stage gear, and rowing the boat across the lake. Then we noticed the f***er was starting to leak and we were taking on water in a boat in the middle of a lake. So when you watch that video and see us rowing...
MSJ: You see real terror on the screen.
You see real terror. I can tell you that lake was cold and deep!
MSJ: Do you have any message to send out to Mr. Lordi?
(snorts) Yeah. Why don't you give up your comedy act and try doing horror for a change?
MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2011  Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.
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