A few months ago, Dave Brockie, the real life alter-ego of GWAR frontman Oderus Urungus revealed that the band does indeed have a new guitarist, and his name is Pustulus Maximus. Pustulus will go on to succeed Flattus Maximus. Flattus was of course played by Cory Smoot, who tragically passed away last year due to heart failure.
The character of Pustulus will be played by Cannabis Corpse guitarist Brent Purgason. You can read the character's backstory here. The press release touting his debut says not much is know about Pustulus except that he "has a skin condition where his face and feet are covered in painful pustules that can only be soothed by the application of savage metal, spoiled elephant semen or oral sex" Ole Pusty will make his debut on GWAR's upcoming Fate or Chaos tour with Devildriver. Here is Pustulus's first official statement about joining GWAR:
"At this point I have nothing to say to the press, even though I am talking to you. I will let my guitar speak for itself. But let me add that I am blood-sworn to honor the legacy of the great Flattus and indeed the whole Maximus tribe. I didn't come here to fuck around. HAIL FLATTUS!"
Never one to turn down the spotlight, GWAR frontman Oderus Urungus also chimed in about the new guitarist and how he came to be:
"Naturally we were devastated by the passing of Flattus. But we turned that grief into rage and set about the task of finding a new guitar player. The first thing we did was sound the mighty Horn of Hate, and alert all Scumdogs, scattered across the galaxy as they are, as to what had occurred. What people didn't know about Flattus was that was is part of a huge tribe of brutish warriors, The Maximus Clan. They are at the core of any Scumdog Legion worth its blood! Planet Maximus is just crawling with them!"
Oderus farted, blowing a hole in the wall, and continued. "Many of the tribe had fought and even played in bands with Flattus, and we began to get messages from across the stars. The Scumdogs were coming! Coming to Earth to lay tracks on our new album, and pay tribute to the mighty Flattus. Soon the War-Barges of Maximus tribe members began to appear in Earth's orbit…and land outside our great temple! Bubonis, Infectitcus, Fartacus, and many more-all have participated in the creation of the songs that shall be on our new album, which will be out sometime next year. But it was not until the hulking form of Pustulus appeared at the studio door, bloody guitar in hand, that we knew we had our new member. Here was a being that was supposedly born with a guitar in his fist, which of course resulted in the death of his beloved mother, whose body he immediately devoured. If anyone can replace our beloved comrade, it is this foul creature. Because he can fucking shred."
We have heard rumors that an all-star lineup of guest guitarists will be appearing on the new album, with the story being that they are all from the Maximus clan. This may end up being GWAR's hugest album yet. But first, they have some touring to do!
(photo credit: Jamie Betts Photos)
