THIS IS GWAR (2021)

This Is GWAR (2021)
Directed by: Scott Barber

Starring: Adam Green, Alex Winter, Bob Gorman, Chris Ward, Dave Brockie, Ethan Embry, Hunter Jackson, Jon Freeman, Mike Bishop, Slymenstra Hymen, Tom Stern

THIS IS GWAR (2021)
Directed by Scott Barber
Available on DVD and Blu-Ray

THIS IS GWAR is a fascinating documentary on the outrageous, outlandish, costumed heavy metal band, GWAR.

The film follows GWAR‘s initial formation in Richmond, Virginia in 1984 thanks to the collaboration between art student, comic book-style artist and wannabe sci-fi fantasy filmmaker Hunter Jackson, and bassist and lead singer of punk band Death Piggy, Dave Brockie. We see how the music and art combined to turn into a piece of musical, performance art on stage, fuelled by the talent of art students, designers, creature and costume creators, and musicians,  collectively known as the Slave Pit. Characters are born as the music develops into something worthy of being recorded, as the band becomes an entity of its own, moving away from Jackson’s initial vision of a sci-fi movie.

Even as band members leave and are replaced, GWAR never seems to die. Musicians climb into the costumes of those departed from the band, whilst in some cases, such as deaths of band members, characters are retired and new ones take their place. The GWAR band is more than just the people who are on stage performing. We get to meet those behind-the-scenes, creating the costumes, designing sets for the GWAR videos and movies, and see members, past and present, interviewed to give history and depth to various moments in the timeline of the band’s achievements.

THIS IS GWAR is a comprehensive overview of the band’s almost 40-year career which will delight fans as well as newcomers to the musical outfit. We see the highs, lows, the laughter, the struggles and the disagreements of such a range of personalities working together in what is a true collaborative effort, even if the late Dave Brockie was seen as the ringmaster as lead singer, Oderus Urungus. Utilising archival footage of the band in their early days and youth, as well as appearances on TV shows like the one hosted by Joan Rivers, the documentary brilliantly brings clarity to the band’s exploits and how they were perceived at various times and places in society. One of the wildest moments to watch unfold, aside from their on-stage antics of spraying the crowd with bodily fluids, is when the band were nominated for a Grammy! Alex Winter, Weird Al Yankovic and Bam Margera also give their thoughts on the band having rubbed shoulders with them at some point during the band’s existence.

As far as documentaries go, this is a very considerate one that seems to allow enough breathing room for all the various players to have their two cents. It’s not all rosy and some of the past members, whilst loving GWAR, clearly have some trauma attached to being involved in the band through one thing or another, but you can see the adoration for what GWAR stands for. The film pulls back the curtain for all to see, good and bad, and it’s all the more interesting because of it. Seeing the old footage of the band members and artists at various points in their career within GWAR just makes you realise how much work went into putting this giant idea on stage. After all, GWAR are a band like no other. Larger than life and not of this Earth!

As someone who was aware of GWAR but never really a follower of their music, I found this film to be a real eye-opener and has only made me want to explore their work further. For sure, they’re a band and art collective that dances to the beat of their own drum, and for that I have to applaud.

THIS IS GWAR is a terrific piece of filmmaking that will capture the mind of music enthusiasts.

Rating:

The Blu-Ray comes complete with a bundle of special features, including a look around the Slave Pit with Mike ‘Beefcake’ Bishop where the wild costumes and magic are brought to life, audio commentary with Derks and Bob Gorman, and a selection of minor featurettes sub-10 mins a piece. Also included on the disc is the last recorded interview with Dave Brockie, one of the founding members and driving forces of the band.