Cory Smoot as Flattus Maximus, circa 2007.

When you’re in a band that performs bloody mock executions on stage while wearing massive, elaborate costumes and playing theatrical heavy metal, you’re no stranger to seeing terrible things happen around you, but what happens when the terrible thing happens off-stage?  Namely, a tragedy in the tour bus.  How do you handle that?  GWAR is asking that question right now.  GWAR performer and guitarist Cory Smoot, AKA Flattus Maximus, was found dead as the bus crossed the border into Canada overnight.  Smoot was 34 years old.

According to Smoot’s online bio on GWAR’s website, he “operates his own live sound and mastering company entitled Karma Productions and also known as Slave Pit Studios . . . Cory has done several different recording projects as a musician-for-hire as well as some studio work for various television networks and world-renowned recording artists.”

Cory Smoot has played Flattus Maximus on stage since 2002.  Before then, he was an avid fan of the band.  Smoot’s Clover Hill High school classmates in Midlothian, Virgina, talked about Smoot’s love of music and how as a teen, he would attend GWAR shows and dreamed about playing with the band.  To his credit, he got to live his dream as part of the Richmond-based metal band, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

A couple of years ago, I saw GWAR do a smaller-scale version of their stage show at a local venue, and no matter what you can say about their crazy on-stage antics, those guys can really play their instruments.  Smoot’s Flattus Maximus was incredible on the guitar, and the show was a lot of fun for everyone involved and everyone packed into the club.  It is unclear what will happen with the remainder of GWAR’s current tour.  GWAR leader Dave Brockie is expected to make a statement later today.  Flattus Maximus has a history of being problematic; former Flattus Peter Lee was shot in the stomach in an attempted carjacking in 1993 and at one point performed Flattus Maximus after having a colostomy.

Tags: GWAR, Dave Brockie, Flattus Maximus, Cory Smoot, Cory Smoot found dead on GWAR tour bus, Flattus Maximus Cory Smoot, Flattus Maximus Cory Smoot found dead, GWAR member found dead in tour bus, obituaries, Clover Hill High School, Richmond, Virginia,  Midlothian, Peter Lee, Flattus Maximus cursed

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