Gwar Returns to Revolution Live Wednesday

Fort Lauderdale residents will see the band Gwar perform on Wednesday at Revolution Live. The group is playing its first show in South Florida in three years. The concert takes place at 6 p.m. at the venue located at 100 SW 3rd Ave.

Michael Bishop, the musician behind the persona Blöthar the Berserker, provided details about the band's history and upcoming tour. Bishop holds a PhD in musicology and has led the group since 2014. He assumed the role of lead singer following the death of original frontman Dave Brockie, who performed as Oderus Urungus.

Bishop grew up outside Richmond, Virginia, where he attended church and learned to sing. He described himself as a humble altar boy before his musical interests shifted. He stated that he learned to play the bass guitar by mastering the theme song from the television show Sanford and Son. As a teenager, he traveled to Richmond to attend early Gwar shows while the band was associated with the punk rock scene.

The band changed its lineup in 1987, which led to Bishop joining as the bassist. He noted that this period marked a transition for Gwar from an underground art project to a heavy metal act that could tour reproducibly. The shift required the band to adapt to a new subculture. Bishop acknowledged that early metal fans often dismissed Gwar because the group made light of their genre.

The group is currently preparing for the Gor Gor Must Die! Tour. This production features a narrative involving a giant dinosaur and giant robots. Bishop joked that preparing for the elaborate stage show takes forty years. In reality, the band undergoes months of rehearsal for each production cycle. The tour includes a four-day cruise around the Caribbean on the Headbangers Boat, where Gwar will perform with various metal artists.

Bishop addressed a recent entry on the band's Wikipedia page. The page stated that Gwar was investigated by the Secret Service after the group burned an effigy of President Donald Trump. Bishop clarified that the incident actually involved beheading an effigy of Elon Musk at the end of a show. He explained that the event occurred shortly after the murder of Charlie Kirk, which made the public more sensitive to political symbolism. A social media bot posted a message expressing outrage over the stunt, which drew press attention.

When asked about the situation, Bishop told reporters he was sure Gwar was on a list somewhere. He stated that this comment was extrapolated into a claim that Trump was pursuing the band. Bishop used the anecdote to illustrate how the group's outrageous stunts can be misreported by the public and media.

Bishop compared the roles of bassist and lead singer within the band. He said that playing bass required less attention from the audience. He noted that people only notice the bassist when a mistake occurs. As the singer, he receives all the credit and all the blame. The performer must maintain focus throughout the entire set.

Tickets for the Wednesday performance are available through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $45 to $135. Interested fans can also visit jointherevolution.net or call 954-449-1025 for more information. The venue is open to the public for the evening event.

The show marks the final date for Gwar in the region before they continue their international tour. The band will perform their characteristic blend of heavy metal, professional wrestling elements, and elaborate costuming. The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. sharp on Wednesday.