Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus, the founder and lead singer of weirdo-metal champions GWAR, has died at 50 years old. According to Seattle Weekly, Brockie’s roommates reportedly found his body at his Virginia home Sunday evening (March 23). Richmond police have confirmed the news, though no cause of death has been listed.
Brockie, who professionally went by the name Oderus Urungus, founded the group in 1984. GWAR spent the next 3 decades building a reputation for supplementing its music with truly bizarre costumes covered with fake blood and otherworldly theatrics. The Grammy-nominated band, which released its 13th album in 2013, recently returned from a small tour in Japan.
Dave’s passing is a true loss to the music community. Beneath all the crazy musical theatrics and fake blood, Dave was widely known as a deeply kind individual.
“I wish it was a joke,” former GWAR bassist Chris Bopst, a music writer for Style Weekly, told the site. “Everyone is in shock.”
“At approximately 6:53 p.m. on Sunday, Richmond Police were called to a residence in the 4800 block of West Seminary Avenue for a report of a deceased individual,” a Richmond Police spokeswoman said in a statement. “When officers arrived, they found David M. Brockie, 50, deceased inside the home. Detectives do not suspect foul play at this time and the Medical Examiner’s Office will determine cause of death.”
“Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I’ve known,” former GWAR bassist Mike Bishop told Style Weekly. “He was brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way. But he was also deeply intelligent and interested in life, history, politics and art. His penchant for scatological humors belied a lucid wit. He was a criminally underrated lyricist and hard rock vocalist, one of the best, ever! A great frontman, a great painter, writer, he was also a hell of a bass guitarist. I loved him. He was capable of great empathy and had a real sense of justice.”
Vocalist Randy Blythe of fellow Richmond, Virginia metallers Lamb of God, who toured with GWAR in 2009, wrote on Instagram: “I got a very sad call tonight from my buddy Chris Bopst, who was one of the original members of GWAR. My friend Dave Brockie, a.k.a. Oderus Urungus, the singer of GWAR, has left the building and taken off back to his home planet. He was 50 years old.
“I do not know details of why he died yet, just that he passed away at home and his roommates found him. When someone dies, a lot of the time people will say, ‘Oh, he was a unique person, really one of a kind, a true original.’ Most of these people no idea of what they are talking about; they obviously had never met Dave. Dave TRULY WAS ONE OF A KIND. I can’t think of ANYONE even remotely like him. That’s VERY HARD TO SAY. My band learned how to become a real touring band from GWAR. They gave us out first shot at this thing.”
“I learned many things from Dave, many of which I am eternally grateful for, and some of which I am deeply ashamed of. I took this picture at his birthday party a few months ago — Dave kissing his Oderus birthday cake. Right now, if I were to truly honor Dave in the way HE would do it if it were ME that had died, I would make a completely tasteless joke about his death. But I do not have the stomach for that — Dave would, but not me. He never put much stock in ‘limits.’”
“Richmond has lost one of its most creative people.
“This is a crying shame to me.
“Thank you, Brockie, for all the crazy shit you did. Thank God you existed, so you could do it and I didn’t have to. It was an honor to know you, to be your Shaky Slave, to serve in the Blood Vomits along side you (let’s ride!), and to be soaked by your sweet cuttlefish.
“RIP Dave Brockie. Oderus, enjoy your trip back home.”
Bassist Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch said: “Just read about the passing of Dave Brockie — Oderus Urungus from GWAR. We had the privilege of playing with GWAR just one month ago at Soundwave festival in Australia. Dave was always right there on the side of the stage that Five Finger Death Punch were playing on — watching every band, laughing and enjoying life. As he entertained us in life, may his death remind us that life is short. Tell the ones around you that they are loved. Live life with a smile and a laugh. Just as Dave and I shared a laugh while talking at Soundwave. We love you. Each and every one of you. R.I.P. Dave Brockie — Oderus Urungus.”
Celebrities Who Died in 2014
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Bob Hoskins
October 26, 1942 - April 29, 2014 (aged 71)
Robert William "Bob" Hoskins, Jr. was an English actor known for playing gangsters. His most notable films include 'Who Framed Roger Rabit', 'Mermaids', and most recently, 'Snow White and the Huntsman'.
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The Ultimate Warrior
June 16, 1959 – April 8, 2014 (aged 54)
James Brian Hellwig was a professional wrestle by the ring name The Ultimate Warrior. He was best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) where we won numerous championships and faced off in Main Events against Hulk Hogan among many other WWE greats. He passed away three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
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Mickey Rooney
September 23, 1920 - April 6, 2014 (aged 93)
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor that began his film career in the silent era with the 1926 short Not to Be Trusted, but quickly became one of the sound era's biggest stars, headlining a series of short films from 1927-1934 as "Mickey McGuire," and eventually earning acclaim for his role as Puck in the unforgettable 1935 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and box office success as the character Andy Hardy in a 16 film franchise produced between 1937 and 1958. One of the most prominent child actors of the 1930s, Mickey Rooney won a Juvenile Academy Award for his collected works in 1939, and was declared the biggest box office draw from 1939-1941.
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John Pinette
March 23, 1964 - April 5, 2014 (aged 50)
John Pinette was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He toured the comedy club circuit beginning in the 1980s and appeared in cinema and on television. Besides stand-up, Pinette did impressions of The Chipmunks, Elvis Presley, Gollum from The Lord of the Rings, Hervé Villechaize (Tattoo from Fantasy Island), an Ewok, actor Marlon Brando (notably Brando's role in The Godfather), as well as various ethnic accents. He occasionally sang, for example "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz, in stand-up routines. (Photo by Paul Warner/Getty Images)
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Dave Brockie
August 30th, 1963 - March 23rd, 2014 (aged 50)
Dave Brockie was better known by his stage name Oderus Urungus, the lead vocalist of the off-the-wall metal band Gwar. Gwar's theatrics and, ahem, unusual attire has deservedly earned them a place in metal fans' hearts as some of the best showmen in the genre, and Dave Brockie was a huge part of that.
Lamb of God's Randy Blythe was one of many who paid tribute to Brockie, writing: "Thank you, Brockie, for all the crazy shit you did. Thank God you existed, so you could do it and I didn't have to. It was an honor to know you, to be your Shaky Slave, to serve in the Blood Vomits along side you (let's ride!), and to be soaked by your sweet cuttlefish."
Read our memorial piece on Dave Brockie here.
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Fred Phelps
November 13th, 1929 - March 19th, 2014
The hate-filled founder of ultra right-wing propagandists Westboro Baptist Church, Fred Phelps was despised by anyone with a functioning moral compass, and for good reason. Leading Westboro's followers on rallies which saw them brandishing signs reading 'GOD HATES FAGS', Phelps fittingly died a lonely, embittered old man.
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Harold Ramis
November 21st, 1994 - February 24th, 2014 (aged 69)
Harold Ramis is perhaps best known for his acting roles as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2, but his contributions to film extend far beyond that. As the director of beloved comedy films such as Groundhog Day, National Lampoon and Caddyshack, It was Ramis' work behind the scenes that solidifed his position as one of cinema's greats, even if his later work could never compare to his early output.
Read our full memorial piece on Harold Ramis here.
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Bob Casale
14th July, 1952 - 17th February, 2014 (aged 61)
Bob Casale was best known for his work as the guitarist and keyboardist in Devo, a new wave band that rose to prominence in the 1980's following the release of their most well-known single, 'Whip It'. Devo were championed by the likes of David Bowie and Iggy Pop in their heyday, and were still active up until Casale's death.
Read our full memorial piece on Bob Casale here.
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Ralph Waite
June 22nd, 1928 - February 13th, 2014 (aged 85)
Ralph Waite was best known for his role as John Walton, Sr. on the classic US TV series The Waltons, and also ran for United States Congress three times for the Democrats, though was ultimately unsuccessful each time. Waite also made multiple TV appearances following The Waltons, including an 8-episode run in NCIS as Jackson Gibbs, and multiple appearances in Bones.
Image: CBS
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Shirley Temple
April 23rd, 1928 - February 10th, 2014 (aged 85)
Shirley Temple rose to fame at a young age as Hollywood's most talented child star, thanks to performances in films such as Bright Eyes and Curly Top. Temple received the Juvenile Academy Award in 1935 for her outstanding contribution as a child performer.
In 1967, Temple unsuccessfully ran for United States Congress, before being appointed the United States Ambassador to Ghana in 1974 and to Czechoslovakia in 1989.
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Philip Seymour Hoffman
July 23rd, 1967 - February 2nd, 2014 (aged 46)
The tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman was a huge shock to many. Widely regarded as one of the all-time greats, capable of stealing scenes in any movie he appeared in, Hoffman succumbed to addiction at a young age, ensuring we'd never witness him steal the show again. However, his incredible performances in movies such as Boogie Nights, Capote and The Big Lebowski will keep his legacy stitched into our memories forever.
Read our full memorial piece on Philip Seymour Hoffman here.
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Pete Seeger
May 3rd, 1919 - January 27th, 2014 (aged 94)
During his long life, Pete Seeger was known not only for his contributions to folk music, but for his political activism. Becoming a flag bearer for political issues such as nuclear disarmament to the Occupy Wall Street movement, President Barack Obama paid tribute to Seeger following his passing, saying: "Over the years, Pete used his voice - and his hammer - to strike blows for worker's rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation. And he always invited us to sing along."
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Roger Lloyd-Pack
February 8th, 1944 - January 15th, 2014 (aged 69)
Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack was perhaps best known worldwide for his role as Barty Crouch, Sr. in the Harry Potter film series, though he was also a national treasure in the UK due to his roles in classic British sitcoms, including Only Fools & Horses and The Vicar of Dibley. David Jason, who played Del Boy in Only Fools & Horses, said this following Lloyd-Pack's passing: "Although he played the simple soul of Trigger in Only Fools And Horses, he was a very intelligent man and a very fine actor capable of many roles. I shall remember him with fondness and for all the good times we had together."
Read our full memorial piece on Roger Lloyd-Pack here:
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Mae Young
March 12th, 1923 - January 14th, 2014 (aged 90)
Mae Young was an early trailblazer in the professional wrestling industry, paving the way for female wrestlers the world over during her lucrative tenure in the National Wrestling Alliance. Young would continue her wrestling career in her later years in the then-WWF, pairing with The Fabulous Moolah in the company's 'Attitude Era' and forming a comedy duo that brought her charismatic ring presence to a whole new generation of fans.
WWE Chairman paid tribute to Mae Young following her passing, saying: "There will never be another Mae Young. Her longevity in sports entertainment may never be matched, and I will forever be grateful for all of her contributions to the industry. On behalf of WWE, I extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends."
Image: WWE
