I'm sure you've heard by now that this year's edition of the annual GWAR-B-Que will not be happening at Hadad's Lake water park as originally scheduled. Despite GWAR and the Slave Pit's efforts to cover all of the legal bases in order to have the event, Henrico County denied the permits at the 11th hour. But do not despair, fun-loving citizens of Richmond! The event has been moved to the National. Slave Pit spokesman Dave Brockie had this to say: "We feel we have been treated in an unjust manner. There have been music festivals for years in Henrico County with no problem OR licenses. We jumped through hoops, hired cops, made safety plans…and at the last second they chose not to give us the permits. I woke up today and heard this. I was just about to put a bullet through my head when we got a call from the National Theater. They had originally booked some loser from America’s Got Talent, but he cancelled…so the National saved the day for us and agreed to open their doors to the event. As you read this we are scrambling madly to accommodate all of the acts and events we had planned, and present the full spectacle of the GWAR-B-Q.”
In all seriousness, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to present the full spectacle originally planned for the outdoor water park; after all, it's not like you can barbecue on the floor of the National. However, it'll still be an all-day event well worth your time, if for no other reason than all of the excellent bands that are playing. Not only will you get the treat of a full-on GWAR set, complete with blood, guts, and GWAR's World Maggot eating G4's Attack Of The Show cohost Candace Bailey live onstage, there'll also be sets from such metal and hardcore luminaries as Darkest Hour, Mensrea, Battlemaster, and Richmond hardcore legends White Cross! But wait, there's more: the worldwide debut of Argonauts, a new band featuring original Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Dimitri Minikakis, Burnt By The Sun guitarist John Adubato, and Municipal Waste drummer Dave Witte! Plus--a reunion set by Richmond rockers Kepone, featuring original GWAR bassist Michael "Beefcake" Bishop. You can also expect celebrity guests like Jackass's Rabb Himself and That Metal Show's Don Jamieson. Venue change or no venue change, this event still promises to rule. Don't let meddlesome bureaucrats ruin your weekend--come have a blast at the GWAR-B-Que!
WHAT: GWAR-B-Que 2011!
WHO: GWAR, Darkest Hour, Kepone, Mensrea, DBX, Groundscore, Battlemaster, Argonauts, White Cross, Occultist, Bloody Crackdown, and more!
WHERE: The National (708 E. Broad St.)
WHEN: Saturday, September 17 Doors open at noon, show at 1 PM
ADMISSION: $25