GWAR Interview; Vocalist The Beserker Blóthar Discusses New Album ‘The Blood Of Gods’ and Masturbation

Depending on the source of your information, GWAR is a band from Richmond, Virginia that formed in the mid-1980s, or a few of the warriors from the ancient outer space collective known as the Scumdogs Of The Universe. So, whether you have known of GWAR for a few decades or for thousands of years, the group has released over a dozen studio albums. They have been nominated for Grammys and has the further distinction of having its own branded bar and restaurant, GWARbar.

The Blood Of Gods is the latest studio effort from this monstrous group, as released on October 20th via Metal Blade Records. The Beserker Blóthar has taken over as lead vocalist following the untimely death of original GWAR leader Oderus Urungus. The focus track of The Blood Of Gods is the radio-unfriendly “Fuck This Place.” The full-length also includes a cover of the AC/DC favorite “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It).”

We had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Mr. Blóthar. GWAR is currently on a tour of the United States, which includes a Halloween night performance at New York City’s Irving Plaza.

Join GWAR and confirm you hatred for earth by screaming “Fuck This Place”!

Blothar, do you prefer the name of your band to spelled as “Gwar,” or with all uppercase letters so that it reads “GWAR?”
The Beserker Blóthar: Yes, of course. It’s like KISS, or W.A.S.P., or FTW.

Is GWAR your first band? Or were you part of a band during your formative years?
Blóthar: When I was 14,000 years old, I started a band called Poop Ship Destroyer, and later, a band called Stool Specimen and the Porcelain Priests. Those never went anywhere.

The Blood Of Gods is the latest album from GWAR. Do you have a favorite song on the album?
Blóthar: My favorite song on the record is “Viking Death Machine,” because it is all about me!

What was the first song written for The Blood Of Gods?
Blóthar: The first song was actually “Auroch.”

The song “War On GWAR” seems to have some Black Sabbath influence to it. Or am I completely wrong about that?
Blóthar: No, all of GWAR is always under the influence. But seriously, yes Black Sabbath…no…but yes, it does and it doesn’t. I did and I didn’t, I will and I won’t, if you know what I mean.

The Blood Of Gods includes a cover of the AC/DC classic “If You Want Blood (You Got It).” Who came up with the idea of covering that song?
Blóthar: Oderus always wanted to do that tune.

Speaking of blood, when people go to a GWAR concert, they know to expect to be covered in blood. Is that something that ever makes you feel bad?
Blóthar: Occasionally, when we see them shivering, wet, outside in sub-zero temperatures…but then I remind myself that they can go fuck themselves.

Julie Struble, a long-time admirer of GWAR, wanted me to relay that she loved your band’s “fight humans not dogs” campaign. She also wanted me to ask about life in Antarctica. Do you have any plans to tour Antarctica again?
Blóthar: To quote the late great baseball manager Earl Weaver; Julie should get her ass off the couch and she might get a prick stuck in her… Dogs are better than people any day. Life in Antarctica is pretty boring. We ski a lot. and we dance, and we have ice cream socials with hot dogs, and flower-shaped butter cookies with a hole in the middle, served in napkins with red Kool-Aid to drink.

When not busy with GWAR, how do you like to spend your free time?
Blóthar: I masturbate…sort of a lot. Like most of my day is spent doing it. I do it while I’m driving, at the damn laundromat, anywhere.

The Blood Of Gods aside, what has been your favorite album of 2017?
Blóthar: Uh…Bonobo‘s Migration — I love to see weird-looking apes making a name for themselves.

More importantly, Blothar, what was the first album you ever purchased with your own money? And what currency was that purchase made in?
Blóthar: Uh, I have literally never had any one cent of real money. Never. Don’t believe in it. I steal everything. First record I stole was Josie & The Pussycats. I bought it with temerity and perseverance, and peep show tokens.

Finally, Blóthar, any last words for the kids?
Blóthar: Let me touch you where your bathing suit covers…

Watch GWAR’s new video for the single “I’ll Be Your Monster”