Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Regarding the death of their former frontman Chuck Varga last week, shock rock group GWAR just released a statement, as per theprp. Varga, also known as The Sexecutioner, co-founded the band. A significant portion of the band’s visual iconography and themes were inspired by his designs, sketches, and other work. Before he passed away, he was fighting cancer.
There are some losses that hit harder than others. The world lost Chuck Varga a few days ago, and GWAR lost one of its own.
Chuck was the Sexecutioner and was one of the founding members of GWAR. He was there when this strange, disgusting, beautiful thing was being born, helping create the world that would become GWAR.
As Sexecutioner, Chuck brought an unforgettable presence to the stage and helped establish the larger-than-life mythology, chaos and depravity that would come to define the band. As one of the visual artists his illustrations and costume design helped establish GWAR’s distinct visual style. He was there at the beginning, and even before when GWAR was struggling to establish what it was going to become. Chuck went on to excel with his scenic artistic talents in movies, theatre and other visual mediums. Sadly, now the Sexecutioner has gone back home to reunite with his Scumdog Brethren Oderus Urungus and Flattus Maximus.
For those of us who knew Chuck, he was more than a character in a monster suit, he was an artist, a vocalist, a true performer and most importantly a brother to everyone in the band. He was one of the people who helped make GWAR possible.
Our hearts go out to Chuck’s loving wife Bambi, his family, his friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Hail Sexecutioner!
Hail Chuck Varga!
The origins of GWAR trace back to the mid-1980s at the Richmond Dairy, an abandoned bottling plant in Virginia converted into an artistic collective. It was there that Dave Brockie, frontman and bassist for the theatrical punk act Death Piggy, crossed paths with Virginia Commonwealth University students Hunter Jackson (Techno Destructo) and Chuck Varga (Sexecutioner). Jackson and Varga were utilizing the space, dubbed “The Slave Pit,” to manufacture props and costumes for an intended film project titled Scumdogs of the Universe.
