Gwar in Grand Rapids

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.