GWAR

Metal was never my thing, although I have retained a vague sense of grudging respect for the genre and still believe that, if there is such a thing, the heart of rock 'n roll still beats most forthrightly in the beast, most of the mainstream having drifted off into preening pop stars and wincingly derivative singer-songwriter fakes.

We did a section cover on Gwar a few weeks ago, and our chat with Dave Brockie (aka, Oderus Urungus, founder and frontman) was fun, funny and illustrative of a now-foundational outfit that has outlasted countless poseurs in its near-thirty year stomp through the civilized world, not due to their kitchy costumed theater (which is hilarious), but because they have managed to balance satire with the Actual Goods, taking themselves none too seriously while taking the music itself VERY seriously. Hard as rock, breathtakingly tight and mercilessly propulsive.

My only regret is that we didn't see them while Cory Smoot (aka, Flattus Maximus) was still with them - the guitarist passed away unexpectedly in November from arterial disease, and the band was playing as a four piece. Brockie was somewhat elusive when I spoke to him as to whether or not they planned to enlist another guitarist after their tribute tour to Smoot was finished, although he did say they were already working up new material.

Either way, the Fox show was simply awesome, and I'll pay (which is saying something) if they come back.