Dave Brockie, founder and lead singer of American heavy metal band GWAR, was found dead in his Richmond home in Virginia on Sunday. Better known to his fans as Oderus Urungus, an intergalactic demon, Brockie was 50.
Richmond police visited the singer's home Sunday night in response to a call by Brockie's roommate. By the time police arrived, he was already dead. While the police do not suspect foul play at this time, they have yet to ascertain the cause of death.
In a statement issued today, Brockie's manager Jack Flanagan said, "It is with a saddened heart, that I confirm my dear friend Dave Brockie, artist, musician, and lead singer of GWAR passed away at approximately 6:50 p.m. EST Sunday, March 23, 2014."
He added: "His body was found Sunday by his band mate at his home. Richmond authorities have confirmed his death and next of kin has been notified. A full autopsy will be performed. My main focus right now is to look after my band mates and his family. More information regarding his death shall be released as the details are confirmed."
Brockie was a member of a punk band called Death Piggy, which staged crude plays when he founded GWAR in 1984. After he met band member Hunter Jackson, who had created props for Death Piggy, Brockie used the bizarre costumes to form the joke group Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh. Following several changes and the shortening of the band name, Brockie dissolved Death Piggy and led GWAR, which released its debut album "Hell-O" in 1988.
GWAR, a satirical metal band, earned a large following quickly. It was loved for its macabre, over-the-top costumes and scatological, offensive lyrics. The group presented themselves as interplanetary warriors descended from aliens, who arrived on earth to yoke and slaughter the human race.
GWAR celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2014 with the release of its 13th album "Battle Maximus."
Incidentally, Cory Smoot, the GWAR guitarist known as Flattus Maximus, was found dead by his bandmates in 2011 while they were preparing to cross the border into Canada.
