Tommy Meehan (Squid Pisser/Cancer Christ) is on track to join GWAR, replacing Brent “Pustulus Maximus” Purgason. Meehan had previously toured alongside the outfit, and is now expected to join them onstage as a touring musician under the mantle of a new character dubbed Grodius Maximus.
Speaking with Guitar World on how the opportunity came about, Meehan offered:
“I go way back with GWAR; I was friends with Dave Brockie [founder and rhythm guitarist who died in 2014]. We had Dave in an animated cartoon associated with an old project of mine, and I stayed in touch with all the GWAR guys over the years.
But I hadn’t talked to them since before COVID, and I’d started a band called Cancer Christ, and one of my main goals was to tour with GWAR. I actually said that out loud.
About two years later I got an email about opening for GWAR on an East Coast tour. We did a whole month. Brent and I were hanging out a bunch, talking about guitars, and he said, ‘This is gonna be my last tour with GWAR.’ It was a huge decision for him. That’s when he started pushing for me to give it a go and talk to the guys about trying it.
Brent got me up on stage one night in Pennsylvania, and that was the first time I played music with GWAR. I got to know them from there. We started talking more and went through an audition process. I’ve been going above and beyond to let them know I really want to play with them.”
As for the nature of his position with the band, he commented:
“As far as it stands currently, we’re talking about a permanent situation. We’re both feeling each other out with this upcoming tour. But there are logistics – they live in Richmond, Virginia, and I’m in Los Angeles. We’re figuring out the logistics. But I’ve been sharing a lot of demos with them and bouncing ideas back and forth.”
Meehan plans to split his focus between GWAR and his other two projects Squid Pisser and Cancer Christ going forward. You can see some more shots of him in action via Instagram. GWAR have the following immediate shows booked:
With Cancer Bats & X-Cops:
03/03 Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
03/04 Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theatre
03/06 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
03/07 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
03/08 Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre Theatre
03/09 Montréal, QC – Beanfield Theatre
03/10 Quebec City, QC – Théâtre Capitole
03/12 London, ON – London Music Hall
03/13 Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
With Cancer Bats & Fuming Mouth:
03/15 Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
03/16 Saskatoon, SK – Coors Event Centre
03/17 Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
03/18 Calgary, AB – The Back Alley
03/20 Vancouver, BC – The Vogue Theatre
03/21 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
03/24 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
03/26 Davenport, IA – The Capitol Theater
03/27 Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot
03/28 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
03/29 Charlotte, NC – The Underground
03/30 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
