Gwar in Knoxville

Gwar is an American heavy metal and punk band formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984. They are known for grotesque extraterrestrial costumes, satirical mythology and albums including Scumdogs of the Universe and America Must Be Destroyed; “Sick of You” and “Saddam a Go-Go” are among their signature songs. Gwar played the Vans Warped Tour in 1998 and returned the following year, presenting their costumed theatrical set on the traveling festival. In 2009, they created the GWAR-B-Q festival, whose later editions at Hadad’s Lake featured the band as headliner. The musicians perform as extraterrestrial characters in sculpted costumes, interrupting songs for comic-horror sketches and staged combat; spraying the audience with theatrical blood has long been part of the show. For much of the band’s history, the central character and lead vocalist was Oderus Urungus, played by co-founder Dave Brockie.

Twiztid is an American horrorcore rap duo formed in Detroit in 1997 by Jamie Madrox and Monoxide, both formerly of House of Krazees. Dark humor, horror imagery and rap-rock elements run through albums including Mostasteless, Freek Show and The Green Book; “We Don’t Die” and “Afraid of Me” are among their best-known songs. Twiztid performed at the first Gathering of the Juggalos in 2000 and returned for numerous later editions of the festival. The duo also developed recurring themed concerts around Halloween and New Year’s Eve, touring clubs and theatres under banners including Fright Fest and New Year’s Evil.