Let Us Slay (Sunday, February 20, 2011) Orange and blue MHOW wristband: GWAR @ Music Hall of Williamsburg Liana was in town last weekend, and we finally fulfilled a mutual lifelong dream: to see GWAR live. We both have very fond childhood memories of this wonderful moment from the movie Empire Records, which planted the initial seeds of our desire for GWAR-fueled glory. From the moment we arrived, we knew it was going to be a special evening. We had wondered how many serious fans would be there vs. somewhat-ironic spectators like ourselves, but when we saw the other constituents of the line outside, it was clear this was an event for GWAR die-hards. Creepy middle-aged dudes were hitting on us, drunk guys in button-downs and ties were denied entry, everyone was wearing black. We got inside just before they took to the stage (we weren’t too sad to miss the opening bands, Mobile Death Camp and Mensrea). Now, we knew the center of the floor would be a giant moshpit, and we also had heard tell of how much fake blood and alien semen the band likes to squirt on their audience. Eyeing the plethora of large dudes in the venue, we opted to hang off towards the side, where we wouldn’t get kicked in the face or showered in colored liquids. The show was part of GWAR’s Bloody Pit of Horror Tour, to support their latest record of the same name. They came out onstage, dressed in their trademark insane outfits (which we were surprised to learn involved fishnets and thongs) and got right into it. I must say, they sort of scared the shit out of me— especially lead guitarist Flattus Maximus, who was, like, totally ice grillin’ me. The crowd went nuts, and indeed, started thrashing around like crazy. They brought out all sorts of props that squirted blood, like a giant sword, plastic dead dog, and even the lead singer’s dragon head penis-thing, which hung from a codpiece. The best part of the show came when a fake Lady Gaga came onstage wearing a toilet-inspired getup. The band ripped her shirt off to reveal boobs made of poo…which, of course, then began to squirt blood (some good coverage of that moment here). For the most part, we thought GWAR’s music pretty much sucked—sorry for any fans out there! But then, it’s not really about that, is it? We somehow managed to come out of the show unscathed, but hung out downstairs and enjoyed a beer whilst watching everyone line up to get their stuff from the coat check. People were absolutely soaked through, their shirts covered in red and blue watery substances. Some people smartly had brought changes of clothes. Overall, it was an amazing time that I would recommend to anyone who likes severely ridiculous things. And then we went home and sang songs along to YouTube videos for 2 hours, The End.

Let Us Slay (Sunday, February 20, 2011)

Orange and blue MHOW wristband: GWAR @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Liana was in town last weekend, and we finally fulfilled a mutual lifelong dream: to see GWAR live. We both have very fond childhood memories of this wonderful moment from the movie Empire Records, which planted the initial seeds of our desire for GWAR-fueled glory.

From the moment we arrived, we knew it was going to be a special evening. We had wondered how many serious fans would be there vs. somewhat-ironic spectators like ourselves, but when we saw the other constituents of the line outside, it was clear this was an event for GWAR die-hards. Creepy middle-aged dudes were hitting on us, drunk guys in button-downs and ties were denied entry, everyone was wearing black. We got inside just before they took to the stage (we weren’t too sad to miss the opening bands, Mobile Death Camp and Mensrea). Now, we knew the center of the floor would be a giant moshpit, and we also had heard tell of how much fake blood and alien semen the band likes to squirt on their audience. Eyeing the plethora of large dudes in the venue, we opted to hang off towards the side, where we wouldn’t get kicked in the face or showered in colored liquids.

The show was part of GWAR’s Bloody Pit of Horror Tour, to support their latest record of the same name. They came out onstage, dressed in their trademark insane outfits (which we were surprised to learn involved fishnets and thongs) and got right into it. I must say, they sort of scared the shit out of me— especially lead guitarist Flattus Maximus, who was, like, totally ice grillin’ me. The crowd went nuts, and indeed, started thrashing around like crazy. They brought out all sorts of props that squirted blood, like a giant sword, plastic dead dog, and even the lead singer’s dragon head penis-thing, which hung from a codpiece. The best part of the show came when a fake Lady Gaga came onstage wearing a toilet-inspired getup. The band ripped her shirt off to reveal boobs made of poo…which, of course, then began to squirt blood (some good coverage of that moment here).

For the most part, we thought GWAR’s music pretty much sucked—sorry for any fans out there! But then, it’s not really about that, is it?

We somehow managed to come out of the show unscathed, but hung out downstairs and enjoyed a beer whilst watching everyone line up to get their stuff from the coat check. People were absolutely soaked through, their shirts covered in red and blue watery substances. Some people smartly had brought changes of clothes. Overall, it was an amazing time that I would recommend to anyone who likes severely ridiculous things. And then we went home and sang songs along to YouTube videos for 2 hours, The End.