Welcome to the LOUDEST DOT COM ON THE PLANET!
KNAC.COM News Reviews and More Watch The Latest Videos Buy KNAC T-shirts and More


GWAR Sued For Alleged Theft Of DAVE BROCKIE's Cremains

By Larry Petro, News Monkey
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 @ 4:09 PM


GWAR Issue Statement Of Their Own

- advertisement -

- advertisement -
In a report on NBC News, William Brockie, the father of GWAR's late front man Dave Brockie, has filed suit against the band's surviving members, accusing them of stealing Brockie's cremains, bass guitars and artwork. The corut documents were revealed on Monday according to the report on NBC by M. Alex Johnson.

As you will recall, Dave Brockie (AKA Oderus Urungus) died March 23, 2014, of acute heroin toxicity.

The lawsuit was filed last Thursday in State Circuit court where the band was originally formed, Richmond, Virginia. William Brockie, who is the administrator of his son's estate, is seeking $1 million in compensatory damages plus punitive damages for alleged breach of contract and unauthorized use of Dave Brockie's image, as well as the return of Brockie's cremains.

The suit also accuses the band of failing to pay Brockie's estate what it was owed for its last tour with Dave in February and March 2014 and trying to take control of Brockie's estate from his father.

According to the lawsuit, the goal was to cash in on Brockie's likeness and effects without permission, which supposedly began the day after Brockie died, when the band's manager allegedly signed bogus releases allowing the band to use his name and likeness for merchandising.

You can check out the full story right HERE.

GWAR has since released a statement regarding all the press surrounding the lawsuit:

"We have not yet seen the actual lawsuit papers, and thus cannot comment on the substance of the lawsuit brought against GWAR by Dave Brockie's father, William Brockie, but we can say that the claims in the Style Weekly article are false. We did not steal Dave Brockie's ashes, or anything else that belonged to him. In fact, all of the items mentioned in the article, including Dave's ashes have been available to his attorneys for weeks. At all times, and under very trying circumstances, we have acted in good faith to honor the wishes of our dear friend. Dave left no will or instructions for final arrangements, and so we have done the best we could to honor what we believe Dave Brockie would have wanted.

The accusation concerning Dave's ashes is particularly troubling for us. Following Dave's passing, the first thing we did was notify his father, who signed over Dave's body so we could have him cremated. We were told by Dave's father that he did not want to be involved in making Dave's final arrangements. For this reason, Slave Pit assumed that responsibility, paying for his cremation, arranging two memorial services (one public and one private), and purchasing a plot for Dave in Richmond's famed Hollywood Cemetery. Dave's father did not attend either of the services held for his son in Richmond.

Over 30 years of working and living with Dave, several of us had heard him say that he wished for his ashes to be kept at Slave Pit, so he could "keep an eye on GWAR" while we worked. In the weeks following his death, we developed a plan for a memorial fund that would raise money to honor Dave's memory with a statue in Hollywood Cemetery and work to continue his passionate support of the arts. We felt strongly that a portion of his remains should live at the site of his proposed monument in Hollywood Cemetery. When William Brockie later approached us, we released a portion of the ashes at his request, so he could spread them in the location where Dave's brother and mother's ashes were dispersed.

Concerning the other allegations in the article, there was certainly no effort on the part of anyone in GWAR, including drummer Brad Roberts, to steal or hide Dave's belongings and personal effects either from his home or office. Dave, like the rest of GWAR, was paid upfront for his final leg of touring with GWAR. The claim that we failed to pay his share of royalties from Slave Pit Inc. is false, and we have the records to prove that. We have been in correspondence with William Brockie and his lawyers for months. They have access to the band's financial records, and Dave's payments and share of royalties are clearly recorded. Likewise, William Brockie's attorneys have an itemized list of the small collection of Dave's art and belongings at Slave Pit. There was never an attempt on the part of Slave Pit to withhold these items from William Brockie. When his attorneys finally identified the particular things they wanted, we made arrangements to return them immediately. Dave's remains, as well as his belongings, including the instruments and the gold record mentioned in the article were given to our lawyers, who in turn notified the Brockie estate that they could retrieve them weeks ago.

The Dave Brockie Fund did indeed raise money toward our initial goal of building a monument to Dave in Hollywood Cemetery. Unfortunately, its mission has been put on hold because William Brockie's attorneys claim that the Brockie estate should have control of the Dave Brockie Fund and the money contained therein. If we are ultimately unable to use the funds for the purpose for which they are raised, the funds will be returned to all contributing donors.

Finally, our manager, Jack Flanagan has been unjustly accused of signing a bogus release. At the request of our attorneys, he signed some paperwork to make his position clear on what he thought Dave would have wanted, which is something that the law of Virginia specifically asks for, given Jack's relationship with the band and with Dave. There is nothing bogus about this.

Dave Brockie was our friend, peer, co-worker, and our family. We want to preserve the legacy of one of the greatest singers in rock and roll history. There is no "conspiracy," no bad faith, no theft, no graft, and no ill will. We trust our fans will see through this, and we will be able to get back to work on the one thing we all know Dave Brockie loved; GWAR."


Back to Top

 

 

 Recent News
NEW CONTEST: Win Tickets To See THE DEAD DAISIES In San Diego On June 19th!
SABATON's The Tour To End All Tours Concert Film Comes To Cinemas
NILE Unveil First New Album In Five Years, The Underworld Awaits Us All
DAYSEEKER Announce Fall 2024 Headline "Dayseeker: Dark Sun Protocol Tour"
KISSIN' DYNAMITE Debut "The Devil Is A Woman" Video
SIGNS OF THE SWARM Announce North American Headlining Tour
ECLIPSE Shares New Single, Video For "Falling To My Knees"
ILLDISPOSED Return With New Album In Chambers Of Sonic Disgust
ASKING ALEXANDRIA Announce Second Leg Of "All My Friends" North American Tour
BLACKTOP MOJO Drop New Video For "As The Light Fades"
STEEL PANTHER Announces Final Leg OF U.S. "On The Prowl Tour"
THE HELLACOPTERS Debut New Video For "Stay With You"
JANE'S ADDICTION, LOVE AND ROCKETS Announce 2024 Tour
MISTER MISERY Reveal New Self-Titled Album
AS I LAY DYING Releases First New Single, Video In Five Years, "Burden"
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT Return To The Stage In June And July
NIGHTWISH Drop First Single, Video For "Perfume Of The Timeless"
ORBIT CULTURE Announces 2024 Headline Tour Dates Around SLIPKNOT 25th Anniversary Tour
SUNBOMB, Featuring TRACII GUNS & MICHAEL SWEET, Share Second Single "Steel Hearts"
WORMWITCH Return With New Self-Titled Album, First Single "The Helm And The Bow" Streaming
RORSCHACH TEST Celebrates Goth Day With "Fallen" Lyric Video
ROCKLAHOMA Announces Single Day Lineup For 2024
AXEL RUDI PELL Drops New Video For "Darkest Hour"
BRING ME THE HORIZON Surprise Release New Album Post Human: NeX GEn
NONPOINT Release New Video For "Underdog"
RICHIE KOTZEN Announces U.S. Tour Dates For Fall
D-A-D Announce Brand New Album Speed Of Darkness
W.A.S.P. Announce 2024 'Album ONE Alive' World Tour, Playing Debut Album In Full
NERVOSA Announce North American Headline Tour
MR. BIG Ready New Studio Album Ten
BLACKLIST UNION Unleash "Horns And Halos" Video
ANCIIENTS Return With New Album Beyond The Reach Of The Sun
SEVENDUST Announces Seasons Anniversary Tour
SILENT THEORY Unveil New Album Tell Us How It Ends
THE WARNING Stream New Single "Burnout"
VICTORY Return With New Album Circle Of Life
NOTHING MORE Announce Headlining 'Carnal Tour 2024'
DYSTOPICA Release First Full-Length Album Infinite Reflection
JESSE JAMES DUPREE Shares New Video For "Stranded"
DIZASTERPIECE Releases New Album Zzonebound [QRX4-Notion]
POWERWOLF Releases New Video For "1589"
PALLBEARER Drops New Album Mind Burns Alive
RAT PAK RECORDS Releases 20 Year Anniversary Compilation Album
CRYSTAL VIPER Drop New Album Title Track Video For "The Silver Key"
ORDEN OGAN Unveil New Album The Order of Fear
ALL FOR METAL Share "Valkyries In The Sky" Video, Featuring LAURA GULDEMOND Of BURNING WITCHES
GOATWHORE Announces North American Headlining Tour
SEBASTIAN BACH Releases New Video For "Freedom"
CHARLOTTE WESSELS Reveals Details For New Album The Obsession
NIGHT LASER Release "Don't Call Me Hero" Video
GEEZER BUTLER Set For Paperback Edition Of Book Into The Void: From Birth To Black Sabbath-And Beyond
Second Annual METAL INJECTION FESTIVAL Announced
SAINT DIABLO Share "Voice On The Phone" Single, Video
LORNA SHORE Announces North American Headline Tour
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS Drop New Video For "Monsters"
MARK TREMONTI Announces December Solo Dates
HANABIE. Debut New Video For "Girl's Talk"
X Announce 'The End Is Near' Tour
ANVIL Stream New Single "Truth Is Dying"
SOULFLY 'Healer' Coffee Coming Soon Via Concept Cafes
BAD WOLVES Launch New Video For "Hungry For Life", Featuring CHRIS DAUGHTRY
SERIOUS BLACK Ready New Studio Album Rise Of Akhenaton
LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES Share "Over The Garden Wall" Video
GHOST Launch Trailer For Debut Feature Film Rite Here Rite Now
BARONESS, GRAVEYARD Team Up For European Tour
2024 NEW ENGLAND METAL & HARDCORE FEST Announces More Performers
CARMINE APPICE Rebuilds Legendary Rock Band CACTUS With Powerful New All-Star Album
KING 810 Announce New Indie Film, Tour
AMORPHIS, DARK TRANQUILLITY Confirm North American Co-Headline Tour
JAMEY JASTA & Company Unleash JASTA Music Video For New Song, "Suicidality", Ft. PHI DEMMEL
DEATH TO ALL Share "Suicide Machine" Video
BEARTOOTH Announce Second Leg Of 'The Surface Tour'
FALLING IN REVERSE Unveil New Album Popular Monster
KK'S PRIEST, ACCEPT Join For North American Tour
DECIBEL Announces '20th Anniversary Show'
1349 Stream New Single "Ash of Ages"
THE SISTERS OF MERCY Announce North American Fall Tour
THE HU Announce Extended Live Album The Hu Live At Glastonbury
BEASTO BLANCO Drop New Video For "Lowlands"
CATEGORY 7 Set To Release Debut Self-Titled Album
DORTMUND DEATHFEST Reveals Full 2024 Lineup
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Unveil New Album I Am The Weapon
KINGS OF THRASH Announce 'Anarchy In The UK' Tour
ALL THAT REMAINS Return With "Divine" Video
NIGHTWISH Return With New Album Yesterwynde
ARMORED SAINT Announce L.A. Hometown Headline Show
GHOST Set To Release Debut Feature Film, Rite Here Rite Now, To Cinemas Worldwide
HAMMERFALL Reveal New Album Avenge The Fallen
SLIPKNOT Announce 'Here Comes The Pain' Summer Tour
THE DEAD DAISIES Unveil New Album, Single, Tour
DARKTHRONE Stream New Single "The Bird People Of Nordland"
70000TONS OF METAL Announces First Bands For 2025
NIGHT LASER Set For Call Me What You Want Album
RICHIE SAMBORA Returns With "I Pray" Single
TESTAMENT, KREATOR Join For "Klash Of The Titans" 2024 North American Tour
SAXON Share Lyric Video For "Witches Of Salem"
2024 SUMMER SLAUGHTER Tour Announced, Co-Headlined By VEIL OF MAYA And BRAND OF SACRIFICE
SEBASTIAN BACH Launches Video For New Single "(Hold On) To The Dream"
NARCOTIC WASTELAND Announces 2024 Summer Tour Dates
THE WARNING Release Cinematic Video For "Que Mas Quieres"
KITTIE Announce Exclusive Run Headline Shows On The 'Fire 2024' Tour
ACCEPT Stream New Single "Frankenstein"
200 STAB WOUNDS Return With Manual Manic Procedures Album
KURT DEIMER Confirms New Tour Dates With TEXAS HIPPIE COALTION
STAIND Launch Animated Video For Track "Better Days", Featuring DOROTHY
WEEDEATER Announce More Spring/Summer Shows
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS Are "Seeking Vengeance" With New Video
OPETH Announces North American Headlining Tour
LEAGUE OF DISTORTION Release "My Hate Will Go On" Video
EVERCLEAR Announces Fall Headlining Tour
DEAD MAN'S HAND Release Second Single, Video For "Bobblehead Jesus"
ZEAL & ARDOR Set For With New Album Greif
LACUNA COIL Share New Video "In The Mean Time", Featuring ASH COSTELLO Of NEW YEARS DAY
BARONESS Announce U.S. Summer Tour
FROZEN SOUL Drop WHITE ZOMBIE Cover Video For "Creature Of The Wheel"
SUNBOMB, Featuring MICHAEL SWEET And TRACII GUNS, Set To Release Sophomore Album Light Up The Sky
BABYLON A.D. Unleash "Wrecking Machine" Video
Current, Former Members Of ICE NINE KILLS And FROM ASHES TO NEW Form New Band HILLHAVEN
Former DISCIPLES OF BABYLON Singer ERIC KNIGHT Releases First Solo Single "Out Of This World"
GWAR Announces 'Age of Entitlement Tour'
MILLENIAL REIGN Ready New Album World On Fire
MEMPHIS MAY FIRE Return With New Video For Single "Chaotic"
MEGADETH Announce Summer 'Destroy All Enemies' Tour
ECLIPSE Unleashes New Video For "Apocalypse Blues"
Official, Special, Limited Edition, KNAC Heritage Item On Sale Now!



HOME | MAGAZINE | VIDS | STORE | HELP/POLICIES

©2024 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.    Link to us    Advertise with us    Privacy policy
 Latest News