A number of sources are reporting that Dave Brockie, the frontman of Richmond, Virginia thrash metal group Gwar, also known by his stage name Oderus Urungus, has died aged 50. In a post on Richmond website Style Weekly, former Gwar bassist Mike Bishop said: "Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I've known. He was brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way. But he was also deeply intelligent and interested in life, history, politics and art. His penchant for scatological humors belied a lucid wit. He was a criminally underrated lyricist and hard rock vocalist, one of the best, ever! A great front man, a great painter, writer, he was also a hell of a bass guitarist. I loved him. He was capable of great empathy and had a real sense of justice."

Brockie was one of the founding members of Gwar, who were originally called Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh and would open shows for his previous band, hardcore punk outfit Death Piggy, playing in their now-trademark stage outfits. He was the sole constant member of the group, who have released 13 albums, most recently last year's Battle Maximus, and this year marked their 30th anniversary with their first show in Japan. Watch the video for 'Sick Of You' from 1990's Scumdogs Of The Universe below: