GWAR made the hard decision to move forward with their Return Of The Maggot tour despite the sudden passing of guitarist Cory Smoot (aka Flattus Maximus). And while the band will be wrapping up the North American leg next week in New Haven, CT (November 27), they will also be moving forward with their previously announced European dates in January of 2012.

Frontman Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus) had the following to say about moving forward with their upcoming European tour:

“When Cory died, we all wanted to go home and take care of the family and our own grief. But the best way to do that is by playing all the shows we have planned. The response from the U.S. metal community and especially the whole international GWAR family has been overwhelmingly supportive…these GWAR fans need the chance to pay their respects to Cory, and cancelling any shows would deprive them of that.

Let’s make these shows a celebration of Cory Smoot, one of the most amazing players in metal…I am calling on the European GWAR family to get out there and drag everybody in sight to these gigs! We shall honor Flattus Maximus in the only way we know how…by rocking the fuck out!!!”

In case you just so happen to be in Europe this coming January, you can take a look at a complete rundown of dates for GWAR’s European tour after the jump. In related news, GWAR and Metal Blade have launched the Smoot Family Fund in an effort to raise funds for Cory’s family (including his wife and unborn child). You can either make donations online or by mail (see the address after the jump as well).

1/11/12 – BE – Antwerp – Trix

1/12/12 – UK – Bristol – Bierkeller

1/13/12 – UK – London – Electric Ballroom

1/14/12 – UK – Coventry – Kasbah

1/15/12 – UK – Manchester – The Ritz

1/16/12 – UK – Belfast – Spring & Airbrake

1/17/12 – IE – Dublin- Button Factory

1/18/12 – UK – Wrexham – Central Station

1/19/12 – UK – North Yorkshire – The Duchess

1/20/12 – UK – Swansea – Sin City

1/21/12 – UK – Nottingham – Rock City

1/22/12 – UK – Reading – Sub 89

1/24/12 – UK – Portsmouth – Highlights

1/25/12 – DE – Bochum – Matrix

1/26/12 – DE – Bielefeld – Forum

1/27/12 – DK – Copenhagen – The Rock

1/28/12 – SE – Gothenburg – Brewhouse

1/29/12 – NO – Oslo – Rockefeller

1/30/12 – SE – Stockholm – Klubben

 

Smoot Family Fund mailing address:

Slave Pit Inc

C/O Smoot Family Fund

PO Box 5225

Richmond, VA 23220

author avatar
Zach Shaw