Died On This Date (March 23, 2014) Dave Brockie / Performed As Oderus Urungus In GWAR

Dave Brockie
August 30, 1963 – March 23, 2014

dave-brockieDave Brockie is best remembered as lead singer for the popular theatrical shock metal band, GWAR. Going under the stage name, Oderus Urungus, Brockie co-formed the band  in 1984.  GWAR went on to build a legion of fans due in part to their over-the-top sci-fi inspired costumes and comic book violence that ran through their lyrics and live shows.  They released their debut album, Hell-O, in 1988 and 11 more leading up to the 2013 release of, Battle Maximus.  2014 found the band touring in celebration of their 30th anniversary.  Dave Brockie was 50 when he was found dead in his home on March 23, 2014.  Cause of death was not immediately released.  GWAR band mate, Cory Smoot (aka Flattus Maximus) passed away in 2011.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (November 3, 2011) Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus of GWAR

Cory Smoot
August 25, 1977 – November 3, 2011

Cory Smoot, or as he’s better known to fans, Flattus Maximus, was the lead guitarist for notorious heavy metal band, GWAR.  Formed in 1984, GWAR built a legion of fans due in part to their over-the-top sci-fi inspired costumes and comic book violence that ran through their lyrics and live shows.  Not an original member, Smoot joined the band in 2002 and was the longest running Flattus Maximus in the band’s history.  Besides playing on every album since he joined, Smoot helped with production and mixing duties as well.  He can be heard singing lead on the band’s “Release The Flies.”  As reported by MetalSucks, during the morning hours of November 3, 2011, Cory Smoot’s GWAR band mates discovered his lifeless body as they were preparing to travel into Canada on tour.  Cause of death was attributed to a coronary artery thrombosis.

Thanks to Ken McCullagh for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Lust In Space (Bonus Track Version) - Gwar

Died On This Date (June 10, 2011) Jamie Toulan / Guitarist For Old Skull

Jamie Toulan
DOB Unknown – June 10, 2011

Jamie Toulan is perhaps best remembered as the guitarist for ’90s pre-teen punk band, Old Skull.  Formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1989, the band was initially made up of Toulan (age 9), his brother J.P. Toulan (age 10), and friend Jesse Collins-Davies (age 10).  In 1989, the band signed with respected indie label, Restless Records who released their debut, Get Outta School.  The fact that the boys were not even in their teens yet sang of such themes as AIDS, homelessness, and Reagan-era politics, many critics wrote them off as a novelty act.  Meanwhile, they continued a to build a solid fanbase throughout the skate punk community.  And perhaps due to their novelty, they were asked to support such acts as Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth and GWAR, and were profiled in such media as “A Current Affair,” MTV News, Life and Newsweek.  In 1992, the band released their second album, CIA Drug Fest but soon broke up.  Toulan went on to play in several other bands, including Apox, Doomsday Cauldron, Star Fucking Hipsters, and Planned Collapse with his brother, J.P.   In 2010, it was revealed that Toulan was battling drugs and living on the streets, and in August of that year, J.P. died of reasons that were not immediately made clear.  On June 10, 2011, just seven months later, Jamie Toulan also died.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Mike Woodford and Jesus Crust for the assist



Die On This Date (November 13, 2010) J.P. Toulan / Old Skull; Planned Collapse

John Paul Toulan
1980 – November 13, 2010

JP Toulan is best remembered as the lead singer and guitarist for early ’90s pre-teen punk band, Old Skull.  Formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1989, the band was initially made up of Toulan (age 10), his brother Jamie Toulan (age 9), and friend Jesse Collins-Davies (age 10).  In 1989, the band signed with respected indie label, Restless Records who released their debut, Get Outta School.  The fact that the boys were not even in their teens yet sang of such themes as AIDS, homelessness, and Reagan-era politics, many critics wrote them off as a novelty act.  Meanwhile, they continued a to build a solid fanbase throughout the skate punk community.  And perhaps due to their novelty, they were asked to support such acts as Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth and GWAR, and were profiled in such media as “A Current Affair,” MTV News, Life and Newsweek.  In 1992, the band released their second album, CIA Drug Fest but soon broke up.   Toulan battled drug addiction throughout his adult life.  In 2005, Old Skull briefly reformed, afterwhich Toulan moved to New York where he joined crust punk band, Planned Collapse.   JP Toulan was 30 when he passed away on November 13, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Mike Woodford for the assist.