GWAR LIVE!! | RITZ MUSIC VENUE

On the 26th of October, the Ritz in Raleigh, NC was visited by Intergalactic visitors GWAR on their Age of Imbeciles Tour! They had a few guests with them before they graced us with their presence though. 

First to take the stage was Cancer Christ. Let's just say their set was unique. The next to take the stage was the X-Cops. All the band members were dressed as cops and all had back stories. The drummer though, was a felon who they all kept their eyes on. It was quite funny to watch as they played their set. The next band to play was the legendary Negative Approach. They go way back to the beginning of the hardcore punk scene. They are credited to be one of the bands to start that genre of music. It was pretty cool to see them and know the history of the band. Their music is one to get used to. They definitely got the crowd ready for GWAR and boy, was the crowd excited and ready. 

X-Cops

Negative Approach

When GWAR took the stage, the crowd got so loud. Everyone was pretty much dressed in white and raincoats. And, pretty much instantly, everyone is getting covered in blood. Even us in the photo pit. And it was awesome. Their stage presence was bar none and the way the entire set told a story. At one point, they had a person in "costume" as Vladimir Puton. Let's just say he did not last long. The entire set, the crowd was singing along and not a single person was without a huge smile on their face. The crowd was a mixture of young and older fans. Even families were there. It was a very interesting and unique evening at the Ritz for sure. 

Not a single person left the Ritz without smiling and not clean. I know I wasn't. Thank goodness it all washed off easily. GWAR is a band that I'd say you would have to see when they came near you but be forewarned, do not wear anything that you don't want to get messed up.

James Benson