When mxdwn originally brought you the saddening news that Dave Brockie, better known to most as Oderus Urungus, the lead singer of GWAR, had passed away, there was no definitive cause of death. Now according to CBS6, the Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that he died of an accidental heroin overdose, in his home on March 23rd.
Brockie, who was the mastermind behind the art/shock-rock metal band GWAR, was found unresponsive by his roommate with evidence of heroin use, but the cause of his death could not be determined until toxicology tests were completed.
Close friends of Brockie told CBS6 that the creative leader of the world renowned, costume wearing, theatrical group had been very worried his behavior, and suspected his marijuana smoking and partying had taken a turn for the worst.
GWAR, the twice Grammy nominated band, had just completed a tour of Japan just prior to his death.
Besides his music, Brockie was known for his writing, sculpting, his quick wit and for his frequent appearances on Fox’s Red-eye news talk show.
The musician who was laid to rest on April 1st, was 50 years old at he time of his death.
According to Blabbermouth, Michael Bishop, former GWAR member known as Beefcake The Mighty, told Style Weekly: “Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I’ve known. 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.”
Brockie is the second member of GWAR to die within the past three years. Guitarist Cory Smoot, also known as Flattus Maximus, died of a heart attack on the band’s tour bus in November 2011 at the age of 34.
Brockie, who helped found the band 30 years ago, was the last remaining original member of GWAR. No one knows exactly what the future of the band is at this point, although the band did announce in May that the 2014 GWAR-B-Q is still on.
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