This year’s GWAR BQ was without a doubt unlike any other. Following the passing of long time lead singer/songwriter/creative genius Dave “Oderus Urungus” Brockie, many wondered whether or not the band’s annual weekend fest would take place or what would even become of GWAR for that matter. Serving as a musical celebration of the life and legacy of Dave Brockie, the 2014 GWAR BQ also showcased a moving memorial to Dave Brockie featuring speeches from Lamb of God front man Randy Blythe, former GWAR bassist Mike Bishop, and PR guy Jon Freeman followed by a Viking funeral where the costume/character of Oderus Urungus was sent back from whence he came.
Now that the smoke has settled, literally, GWAR has announced that they will be moving forward. As a longtime fan of GWAR, I know that this is bittersweet news but this is pretty much how Brockie envisioned the future of GWAR. Matter of fact, Dave said at one point that he’d love to see GWAR just taken over by other people so that it could become this entity that would never die. Well, GWAR’s recently announced “GWAR Eternal Tour 2014” very well could be considered the first step towards Dave’s ultimate vision.
Gwar guitarist BalSac The Jaws of Death had this to say about the “GWAR Eternal Tour 2014” and what to expect: “Dark clouds of war and ill omen have gathered around GWAR. In our hour of greatest peril, Oderus has left us and our enemies stand poised, ready to strike while they sense weakness. But we shall no longer cower in our Antarctic stronghold, awaiting destiny’s final blow. This fall GWAR sets out on the most trying quest of our career. We shall scour our leader’s favorite stomping ground, North America, leaving no city unsearched, no venue unraised, and no sheep unmolested. GWAR will venture to the depths of Hell or to the very end of time itself, and though I fear what we may encounter out there, I know that we can never return home until we have the answer we seek: ‘Where is Oderus Urungus?'”
Jamison Land, Beefcake the Mighty’s personal slave and bass tech: “Dave was our friend and anchor for as far back as anyone can remember. He’s held us together, and sometimes he drove us apart. He is our brother and we love him. Unlike a lot of prominent musicians, he was friends with all of the fans. He made GWAR fans feel special on a personal level. The fans love Dave as much as we do and the ‘GWAR Eternal Tour 2014’ is our way of getting together and sharing that love.”
The first leg of GWAR’s massive tour will feature direct support from Decapitated while the 2nd leg will feature NC legends Corrosion of Conformity. American Sharks will appear on all dates unless otherwise noted:
GWAR tour dates:
Sep. 12 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest
With DECAPITATED, AMERICAN SHARKS:
Oct. 15 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
Oct. 16 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
Oct. 17 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
Oct. 18 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium – “Rock and Shock Festival”
Oct. 19 – Buffalo, NY – The Town Ballroom
Oct. 21 – Louisville, KY – Expo Five
Oct. 22 – Memphis, TN – New Daisy Theater
Oct. 23 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Live
Oct. 24 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
Oct. 25 – Austin, TX – Emo’s – “Housecore Horror Film Festival*
Oct. 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Oct. 28 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Oct. 29 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s Nightclub
Oct. 30 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Oct. 31 – Denver, CO – The Summit Music Hall**
Nov. 01 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
Nov. 02 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
Nov. 03 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
Nov. 04 – Reno, NV – Knitting Factory Concert House
Nov. 05 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
Nov. 06 – Hollywood, CA – House of Blues
Nov. 07 – Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock Live
Nov. 08 – Magna, UT – The Great Salt Air
Nov. 10 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Concert House
Nov. 11 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Nov. 12 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SODO
With AMERICAN SHARKS:
Nov. 14 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
With CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, AMERICAN SHARKS:
Nov. 15 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory Concert House
Nov. 16 – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Nov. 17 – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall
Nov. 19 – Fargo, ND – The Venue
Nov. 20 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theater
Nov. 21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
Nov. 22 – Detroit, MI – Harpo’s
Nov. 23 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
Nov. 25 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
Nov. 26 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
Nov. 28 – Charlotte, NC – Tremont Music Hall
Nov. 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
Nov. 30 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Dec. 02 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
Dec. 03 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Dec. 04 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
Dec. 05 – Orlando, FL – Firestone Live
Dec. 06 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Dec. 07 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
Dec. 08 – Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls Theater
Dec. 09 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
Dec. 10 – Montreal, QC – Virgin Mobile Corona Theater
Dec. 11 – Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
Dec. 12 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
Dec. 13 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Sound Stage
* No AMERICAN SHARKS
** HAVOK plays on this show
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