GWAR leaves a Mess in Arizona
GWAR at the Marquee Theater. Photo by Paul Rotzler
I can’t think of a more eccentric band than GWAR. I’ve never seen them live, and when I read that they were coming to the Marquee Theater in Tempe, Arizona on October 18th, I knew that I had to go. I was excited to see them at the Marquee, as it is a smaller venue. With the way the venue is laid out, all in attendance could get a good look at the band due to the sloped floor. There is also a balcony where, for a few dollars more, one can have a chair and still watch the show. There are three bars at the Marquee, ensuring that you never have to wait long to get a drink. When I arrived at the Marquee, I made sure to grab a beer and get into the crowd to see the bands.
The first band to play was Squid Pisser a hardcore/grindcore/speedcore band from L.A. The band features frontman Tommy Meehan on guitar (also GWAR’s own Grodius Maximus) and Seth Carolina on drums. Other musicians fill in on rhythm and bass. Squid Pisser is hard to define. When you first hear them, it’s difficult to follow and get into. In order to write this article, I wanted to listen to more of their music to accurately describe their sound. While doing so, a strange thing happened: I started to like it. I still can’t really describe their sound; you will have to judge for yourself.
Dark Funeral took the stage next, bringing their signature black metal sound and intensity. Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, and active since 1993, the band’s current lineup features Lord Ahriman (Mikael Svanberg) and Chaq Mol (Bo Anders Nymark) on guitars, Heljarmadr (Andreas Vinback) on vocals, Adra-Melek (Fredrik Isaksson) on bass, and Jalomaah (Janne Jesper Jalomaa) on drums. Known for their anti-Christian themes,
While I couldn’t catch every word—my ear still getting attuned to black metal—I could definitely appreciate the intensity and atmosphere they brought to the stage. Dark Funeral’s lighting setup was especially striking, casting the band in an ethereal blue glow while the rest of the stage stayed in darker hues. This effect allowed the band members to stand out, lending them a haunting, almost spiritual presence that matched their music’s powerful mood perfectly. It
Dark Funeral. Photo by Paul Rotzler
At last, it was time for GWAR, the legendary shock-rock band formed in the mid-1980s in Richmond, Virginia. Known for their grotesque, elaborate costumes and theatrical background as intergalactic warriors, GWAR delivers a unique fusion of heavy metal and punk that shines through in every chaotic performance. Their shows are known for their intense energy, outrageous props, and over-the-top antics, making them both a spectacle and a musical experience.
The current lineup of GWAR consists of frontman Blöthar the Berserker (Mike Bishop), guitarist Balsac the Jaws of Death (Mike Derks), guitarist Grodius Maximus (Tommy Meehan), bassist Beefcake the Mighty (Casey Orr), and drummer Jizmak da Gusha (Brad Roberts). Each member brings their character to life with a distinct, grotesque costume, adding to the surreal, intergalactic warrior personas that define GWAR’s shows.
No one is safe from GWAR’s murderous stage act. Known for skewering cultural and political figures, GWAR has always incorporated current hot topics into their over-the-top performances. With the upcoming presidential election, they took the opportunity to unleash their satirical fury on the political circus. The stage was a riot of dark humor and gore, where no candidate was safe from their brutal, theatrical mockery.
GWAR stormed the stage in true GWAR style, bringing their chaotic satire to life with actors dressed as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The costumes exaggerated the politicians' features—Trump as overly rotund and Harris with an enormous backside. After a bit of theatrical back-and-forth, Harris’s pantsuit bottoms were ripped away, and she proceeded to spray blood from her butthole onto the first few rows of the crowd, causing an eruption of laughter and shock. Meanwhile, Trump, in classic GWAR parody, smashed a bottle of ketchup against his head, then claimed he’d narrowly escaped assassination.
Vice President Harris address the crowd. Photo by Paul Rotzler
The GWAR crew then took things up a notch, ripping into Trump’s chest with their prop weapons, releasing a torrent of blood that splattered into the crowd before they launched into their music. But Trump and Harris were only the beginning—no political figure was spared as former presidents like Barack Obama, George Bush, and even Abraham Lincoln made brief appearances, each facing their brutal (and darkly comedic) demise amid a slew of inappropriate, biting jokes. GWAR’s irreverent, no-holds-barred humor made the set an unforgettable mix of political satire, shock rock, and full-throttle heavy metal.
“Just absolutely blood all over the place.” Photo by Paul Rotzler
GWAR has long captivated audiences with their shocking, larger-than-life performances, a big part of why they remain popular today. Known for their brutal satire and disregard for Earthly political parties, GWAR instead subscribes to their own “War Party.” This stance has even influenced their album titles, such as War Party and America Must Be Destroyed, showcasing their unique, apocalyptic take on political commentary.
I guess someone has to dress as banana at every show. Photo by Paul Rotzler