Michael Bishop, known as Blöthar The Berserker, the lead singer of the heavy metal band Gwar, has addressed the conservative criticism following the band's recent onstage performances. The band depicted the 'killing' of actors dressed as prominent political and business figures, including Donald Trump and Elon Musk, at Riot Fest in Chicago. Bishop dismissed claims that the performances normalize violence, comparing their theatrical acts to the exaggerated nature of 'Looney Tunes' cartoons.
Key Takeaways
- Gwar singer Michael Bishop (Blöthar The Berserker) responded to conservative backlash.
- The controversy stems from onstage depictions of 'killing' actors dressed as Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
- Bishop described the performances as 'cartoonish' and 'absurd' to link them to real violence.
- Gwar has a long history of satirizing political figures from various parties.
- Legal experts confirm such performances are protected under the First Amendment's free speech clause.
Gwar's Theatrical Performance Sparks Debate
During their set at Riot Fest in Chicago on September 20, Gwar's performance included actors portraying various public figures. One segment, widely circulated online, showed an actor in a green, hooved alien costume 'stabbing' a fake Donald Trump with a sword. This act culminated in the prop Trump spraying fake blood onto the audience, a signature element of Gwar's shows.
Another part of the performance featured the 'beheading' of an actor dressed as Elon Musk. These theatrical depictions quickly gained traction on social media, particularly from right-wing accounts. They shared footage with captions that expressed outrage and accused the band of promoting violence.
"The idea that Gwar is normalising violence is patently absurd," Bishop told Billboard. "We’re not millionaires that are afraid of what people are going to say when they see what we do."
Social Media Reaction and Accusations
One prominent account, Libs Of TikTok on X (formerly Twitter), posted the footage of the fake Trump 'disembowelment.' The caption stated, "Performers at Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois, simulated the bloody disemboweling of President Trump on stage while people cheered. This is incitement. They know exactly what they’re doing. Democrats can’t help themselves. They love promoting violence." This post was shared widely, drawing significant attention and criticism toward the band and the festival.
Fact Check
Gwar's stage shows have featured the 'killing' of various political figures for many years, predating the recent performances. This includes both Democratic and Republican figures.
Another X account, @hottakekaren, which appears to be satirical, shared a video of the band 'beheading' Elon Musk. The caption read, "Saw a friend’s video from Riot Fest – Gwar mock-beheaded Elon Musk on stage. That’s not edgy, it’s grotesque and reckless and normalises violence against a real person. This is not okay. Riot Fest and Gwar crossed a major line." The official Riot Fest account responded to this post with a simple "LOL," indicating their view of the controversy.
Band's Response and Artistic Intent
Bishop expressed his frustration with the backlash. He emphasized that Gwar is a group of artists creating art. He stated that there is "nothing normal about the violence that goes on at a Gwar show." He reiterated the comparison to cartoons, saying, "It’s a cartoon, it’s Looney Tunes."
The band has consistently maintained that their performances are satire. They portray alien musicians from the fictional planet Scumdogia. Their shows are known for their grotesque humor and over-the-top theatrical violence, which has always been directed at various public figures and concepts.
Historical Context
Gwar's history includes 'murdering' actors representing a wide range of public figures. In 2022, at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, they 'decapitated' an actor portraying then-sitting Democratic President Joe Biden. They also featured actors dressed as China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as well as a Trump supporter. In 2015, they 'killed' an actor representing one-time Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. This history underscores their non-partisan approach to satire.
Free Speech and Artistic Expression
The controversy has also brought discussions about First Amendment rights into focus. Kevin Goldberg, vice president of the Freedom Forum, a non-partisan organization dedicated to First Amendment education, confirmed that Gwar's performances are protected under the United States Constitution.
"What you’re seeing and what you’re hearing [from Gwar] is fully protected by the First Amendment," Goldberg told Billboard. He added, "as is the right to engage in parody and satire as part of that performance."
This legal perspective highlights the broad protections for artistic expression, even when the content is provocative or controversial. The First Amendment protects satire and parody as forms of speech, allowing artists to use such methods to comment on society and politics.
Wider Political Discourse and Future Performances
The timing of this controversy aligns with increased political discussions about free speech. Earlier this month, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel faced scrutiny and was temporarily taken off air by ABC. This followed comments he made regarding Donald Trump’s response to the murder of far-right speaker Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, returned after public backlash.
This incident shows the current sensitivity around political commentary in media. However, legal interpretations often differentiate between genuine threats or incitement and artistic parody. Gwar's performances fall into the latter category, despite the strong reactions from some viewers.
Gwar is scheduled to perform next at Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California, on October 5. Following this, the band will embark on a North American tour. This tour begins on October 18 and will feature Helmet, Dwarves, and Blood Vulture. Fans can find specific dates and details on the band's official website.
The band's continued touring schedule suggests they will maintain their signature style, including their controversial political satire, in future performances. Their long-standing approach to shock and humor remains a core part of their identity as a heavy metal act.