GWAR Live in Atlanta

By Cyndi Ford

 

Over the river and through the woods to the Masquerade we did go, literally. I think it was the worst weather I have ever driven through. But I had two of my sons with me, and I was determined to get us to the venue. Not only was the rain falling extremely heavy but the tree limbs were flying through the air. At one point the water seemed to cover the windshield, as if we were driving through a river, the boys tripped. I could see nothing and had a car next to me, the GWAR gods were def with us.

We finally made it to the venue, and the rain still was trying to make the night a bummer, but it just added to the adventure. My son Ted stayed by my side, and helped me trudge through the muck and mud. Kudos to the Masquerade for having the doors open, and especially for GWAR’s publicist, thanks to him I had no problems getting in with my passes.

The first band, War Beast, had already taken the stage as we entered heaven. They were putting on a good show, and was lucky enough to get a bit of a rouse out of the crowd. Being the opening act as these kind of shows is risky to say the least. They were nice enough to mingle throughout the night with the fans, and appeared to be the good will jesters of the night.

The second band, Every time I die, appeared to have a good reception. There were even a few crowd surfers, and a pit. But the crowd still chanted for GWAR, as they knew the best was yet to come.

I must give a tip of the hat to the crew that have stage duty at the Masquerade. They make the switch between bands smooth as silk. As they quickly whisked away the equipment, the stage was prepared for the final set. And what a stage get up GWAR has, they make it look more like a stage for a play than a band performance.

GWAR knows how to get the crowd in the mood, as they prepared them by playing Ozzy’s War Pigs, to signal time to take the stage. And when they took the stage the crowd exploded. The blood was flying already, I got a good spurt in the face while standing in photo corner, (I shall call it this, as the normal access to the photo alley was denied the entire night, due to safety concerns if you ask me).

And true to the GWAR spirit, they addressed the recent death of their band mate Cory Smoot, aka Flattus Maximus, by killing “Death”. And then played the voted best song of the night, “Bring Back the Bomb” by saying something like, “there are some things you can’t bring back, but there is one that you always can”.

Some may not get the humor in the performances of GWAR, but when they bring a fake “Snooky” from the Jersey Shore, and make her bleed on the crowd, you may start to get it.

Getting it, is exactly what the devout fans of GWAR do, they proudly wear their new white tees or tie dyed shirts from shows past, and come in all ages. I saw older people and even one little guy that stole my heart. He had a spectacular mohawk and a pretty white GWAR shirt ready to get dyed. And to the poor souls that lost one shoe, you were too numerous to name, what the hell? Perhaps you should learn to tie your shoes better?

I have seen GWAR many times before, but this performance was a little more special than all the others. It showed how a band can keep on rocking in the face of despair, with two hands in the air, and they're giving you the finger. Rah!

 

For 27 years GWAR’s relentless tour schedule and bristling release schedule have been evidence of the bands fanatical dedication to not only their fans but metal itself. GWAR’s decision to continue on with these tours has put that dedication to the test like nothing before. Now more than ever they need your support. HAIL FLATTUS, AND HAIL GWAR!

GWAR EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

01/11/12 – BE – Antwerp – Trix
01/12/12 – UK – Bristol – Bierkeller
01/13/12 – UK – London – Electric Ballroom
01/14/12 – UK – Coventry – Kasbah
01/15/12 – UK – Manchester – The Ritz
01/16/12 – UK – Belfast – Spring & Airbrake
01/17/12 – IE – Dublin- Button Factory
01/18/12 – UK – Wrexham – Central Station
01/19/12 – UK – North Yorkshire – The Duchess
01/20/12 – UK – Swansea – Sin City
01/21/12 – UK – Nottingham – Rock City
01/22/12 – UK – Reading – Sub 89
01/24/12 – UK – Portsmouth – Highlights
01/25/12 – DE – Bochum – Matrix
01/26/12 – DE – Bielefeld – Forum
01/27/12 – DK – Copenhagen – The Rock
01/28/12 – SE – Gothenburg – Brewhouse
01/29/12 – NO – Oslo – Rockefeller
01/30/12 – SE – Stockholm – Klubben

Check out GWAR HERE

Cyndi