Over time and numerous DIY tours, GWAR became a word-of-mouth phenomenon. Their costumes and special effects became more elaborate. They attracted famous fans like Alex Winter and “Weird Al” Yankovic, both of whom were interviewed in the documentary.
In the 1990s, GWAR rose to mainstream stardom. Their film Penis Wonderland was nominated for a Grammy Award. They appeared on numerous daytime talk shows, captured the attention of teenagers who watched after school or during the holidays, and appeared in movies such as “Mystery Date” and “Empire.” Although the band was not popular in regular rotation on MTV, they were favorites of Beavis and Butt-Head. (“It’s…like…there’s so much cool stuff to record.” – Butt-Head)
This Is GWAR sheds light on the lives of DIY art collectives. Personalities clash. Members come in and out. When GWAR’s most famous member, Brockie, passed away, the band’s future became uncertain.
In the film, past and present members speak candidly about GWAR’s struggles. “I was really surprised by how open they were,” Barber said. “That’s the real beauty of this documentary – those men and women opening up in the way they did. If they hadn’t done that, it would have been a very different documentary.”
Because the subject matter of this documentary is so refreshingly honest, This Is GWAR is also a story about perseverance and making art for the pure love of it. “I don’t think GWAR could have emerged from anywhere other than where it emerged, and when it emerged, part of the reason was that its founders were very into punk and DIY,” Bishop said. He added that the “don’t talk, do” attitude of the group’s founders “really created a sense of commitment to the project and to each other.”
Barber wanted to highlight GWAR’s hard work in the documentary. So he did. Whether it’s the hard work of creating a costume that squirts bodily fluids, or the relentless drive to keep creating even when corporate America rejects, ridicules, and doesn’t understand you. “They’ll do whatever it takes,” Barber said. “They’re the most blue-collar, DIY band I’ve ever seen in my life.”*
Below, clock from top left: Margaret Rolicki working in the slave pit shop, 2019, photo by Matt Maguire, trying on Mr. Perfect clothing, 2013, photo by Meg Herbert, Bob Gorman Pillar Hands in progress, 1994, photo by Bob Gorman Polaroid photo of Cardinal Syn costume in progress, 1995, photo by Matt Maguire GWAR business card, illustration by Dave Brockie, circa 1987
Check out the trailer for the GWAR documentary here.
This article first appeared in Issue 66 of High Fructose, which is now sold out. Get our latest issue of New High Fructose Subscription here.
