Masked rockers Gwar have chosen to continue a North American tour following the death of guitarist Cory Smoot on Thursday (03Nov11).
Smoot, aka Flattus Maximus, was found dead by his bandmates as they were making preparations to begin a Canadian tour, but the tragedy won't halt Gwar's plans.
In a statement released on Friday (04Nov11), frontman Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus, says, "After a lot of consideration, we have decided to carry on with the tour. Although the great temptation would be to return home, curl into a foetal position, and mourn, we can't do that. First off, Cory wouldn't want that. He would want us to go on and would be p**sed if we didn't. Plus we know the fans don't want us to quit. They are going to want a chance to come to grips with their loss, and there is no better place to do that than at a Gwar show."
Brockie confirms Smoot's character in the band will be retired.
The details of the rocker's death have yet to be revealed. Brockie admits he'll never forget the feeling he had when he found his friend unresponsive in his tourbus bunk: "It quickly was clear that he was dead. It was without a doubt the most horrible moment of my life... Within moments, everybody was off the bus, standing in a windswept parking lot in the middle of nowhere, trying to come to grips with the shock of it. First the ambulance arrived, and then the police, but there was nothing that could be done other than fully investigate the scene and remove Cory with care and respect."
Smoot's body will be transported home to Richmond, Virginia over the weekend.
Gwar is two weeks into a six-week North American tour.