GWAR Pays Tribute To Founding Member CHUCK VARGA: He 'Brought An Unforgettable Presence To The Stage'

GWAR has paid tribute to Chuck Varga, the band's founding member, who died last week following a battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.

On Sunday, September 27, GWAR shared the following message via social media: "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!"

Varga's death was announced Friday night (September 25) in a social media post shared by Beefcake The Mighty, also known as Casey Orr, the bassist for the heavily costumed theatrical shock/thrash metal band.

Orr wrote: "Chuck Varga has left this earthly realm. He passed peacefully, his beloved wife Bambi holding his hand.

"He was one of a kind. As an artist, as a performer; as a scholar and a gentleman. I'm better for having known him and the world is lesser for his leaving.

"He is most likely being welcomed into Valhalla right now by [Dave] Brockie [who fronted GWAR under the name Oderus Urungus] and Smooty [GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot] and all who went before.

"Raise your glass and tell his tales. Legends never die. Hail Varga! Hail Sexecutioner!"

This past June, GWAR created a fundraiser to help cover the mounting expenses associated with Chuck's care, including cancer treatments, hospice care, specialized medical equipment, and additional nursing support. It was also supposed to help offset the cost of maintaining Chuck's Brooklyn apartment while Bambi had stepped away from work to care for Chuck full-time.

For more than four decades, Chuck had been an integral part of the GWAR family and helped shape the band's legacy from its earliest days. Through his work as a performer, artist, creator, and founding member, he helped build one of the most unique and enduring acts in heavy music history. His creativity, humor, and dedication have left an indelible mark on generations of fans, artists, and misfits around the world.

When the above-mentioned fundraiser was first announced, GWAR's Bob Gorman, a.k.a. Bonesnapper, said: "Chuck Varga's contributions to the GWAR and Slave Pit collective are enormous. The influence of his illustrations, character designs, performances, and artistic vision can still be felt throughout GWAR today. Chuck's over-the-top underground art aesthetic helped define an entire universe and inspired generations of artists and fans around the world. His legacy will remain with us forever."

Brockie was found dead in his home in Richmond, Virginia in March 2014. According to Virginia's State Medical Examiner's Office, he died from acute heroin toxicity by accidental means.

Brockie was last remaining original member of GWAR, which was founded 42 years ago. He was 50 years old.

The satirical metal band earned a following for its macabre, over-the-top costumes, offensive lyrics and graphic, gore-soaked shows, in which the bandmembers performed as the descendants of alien warriors who arrived on Earth to enslave and slaughter the human race.