Gwar and guitarist Brent "Pustulus Maximus" Purgason split in 2023, but fear not! Our horrific overlords are now joined by Tommy Meehan (Cancer Christ, Squid Pisser), or as you'll know him, Grodius Maximus.
Meehan introduced himself in an interview with Guitar World, saying he was friends with founding Gwar vocalist Dave Brockie, as well as Purgason.
"I go way back with Gwar; I was friends with Dave Brockie. We had Dave in an animated cartoon associated with an old project of mine, and I stayed in touch with all the Gwar guys over the years. But I hadn't talked to them since before Covid, and I'd started a band called Cancer Christ, and one of my main goals was to tour with Gwar. I actually said that out loud.
"About two years later I got an email about opening for Gwar on an East Coast tour. We did a whole month. Brent and I were hanging out a bunch, talking about guitars, and he said, 'This is gonna be my last tour with Gwar.' It was a huge decision for him. That's when he started pushing for me to give it a go and talk to the guys about trying it.
"Brent got me up on stage one night in Pennsylvania, and that was the first time I played music with Gwar. I got to know them from there. We started talking more and went through an audition process. I've been going above and beyond to let them know I really want to play with them."
Despite having a full-on costume, Meehan notes that he and Gwar are "talking about a permanent situation. We're both feeling each other out with this upcoming tour." Though he does note later in the interview that the conversations include a potential role in new music and a new movie.
"My band Squid Pisser is doing a four-song EP with Skin Graft Records. It's a teaser for a full album and a 24-page comic book coming out later this year. We'll have a tour in Europe based around ArcTanGent Festival. My other band, Cancer Christ, is also planning its next record.
"Beyond that, I'll be feeling out the Gwar situation and seeing what comes of it. We're vibing on the potential of working on music together, and Gwar is also working on another movie. We' re chatting about my involvement with that – musically or otherwise."
Catch Gwar at one of the dates below and get your tickets here.
w/ Cancer Bats & X-Cops
3/3 Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
3/4 Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theatre
3/6 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
3/7 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
3/8 Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre Theatre
3/9 Montréal, QC – Beanfield Theatre
3/10 Quebec City, QC – Théâtre Capitole
3/12 London, ON – London Music Hall
3/13 Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
w/ Cancer Bats & Fuming Mouth
3/15 Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
3/16 Saskatoon, SK – Coors Event Centre
3/17 Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
3/18 Calgary, AB – The Back Alley
3/20 Vancouver, BC – The Vogue Theatre
3/21 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
3/24 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
3/26 Davenport, IA – The Capitol Theater
3/27 Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot
3/28 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
3/29 Charlotte, NC – The Underground
3/30 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
