X-Cops
Encyclopedia
X-Cops was a side project composed of members from the band Gwar
and their extended "family" of musicians. Each member of X-Cops performed in a police uniform and had their own character. They released the album You Have The Right To Remain Silent...
on Metal Blade Records
in 1995. The album included a cover of Deep Purple
's "Highway Star" (with different lyrics, to reflect the theme of the album). In addition, they released a 7" single of the songs "Junkie" (featuring the first released vocal performance of Gwar/X-Cops guitarist Michael Derks) and "Beat You Down" on Man's Ruin Records
in 1996.
Peter Lee started this band after being shot in a failed car jacking attempt. The idea sparked while filming a commercial segment for Gwar's Skulhedface. Lee and Dave Brockie were dressed as police officers and Lee pondered, "What would be cooler than a bunch of cops playing kick-ass rock and roll?" This led to Lee, Brockie and Gwar's drum technician, Mike Dunn, starting X-Cops as a three-piece band. By the time they played their first show, their ranks had grown considerably.
X-Cops opened for Gwar on stints of their 1995 tour, essentially opening for themselves as every musician in Gwar either played an instrument or sang in X-Cops.
There are two additional songs that X-Cops performed live, but never officially recorded: "Nurture My Pig" (originally a song by The Reverend Horton Heat
), and "Conflict Management" (sung by Zipper Pig). According to bootleg videos, Casey Orr (Tubb Tucker) played bass for "Conflict Management", taking the bass from Dave Brockie (Cobb Knobbler), who sang back-up.
X-Cops played their final show in 1996 and Orr, Dunn, Lee, and Musel have since left both X-Cops and Gwar. Dave Brockie Experience
has since been known to cover X-Cops songs during live shows.
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
and their extended "family" of musicians. Each member of X-Cops performed in a police uniform and had their own character. They released the album You Have The Right To Remain Silent...
You Have the Right to Remain Silent...
You Have the Right to Remain Silent... is the sole album by the band X-Cops. It was released in 1995.-Track listing:-Miscellanea:The photos on the inside of the CD booklet depict a murder crime scene being investigated by the X-Cops. On the wall in the victim's room is a poster of GWAR, the...
on Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
in 1995. The album included a cover of Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
's "Highway Star" (with different lyrics, to reflect the theme of the album). In addition, they released a 7" single of the songs "Junkie" (featuring the first released vocal performance of Gwar/X-Cops guitarist Michael Derks) and "Beat You Down" on Man's Ruin Records
Man's Ruin Records
Man's Ruin Records was an independent record label, owned and founded by Bay Area artist Frank Kozik. After the 1994 release of Man's Ruin's first record, entitled Experimental Audio Research : Delta 6, Kozik worked with artists who he wanted to release; he also designed all of the sleeve art for...
in 1996.
Peter Lee started this band after being shot in a failed car jacking attempt. The idea sparked while filming a commercial segment for Gwar's Skulhedface. Lee and Dave Brockie were dressed as police officers and Lee pondered, "What would be cooler than a bunch of cops playing kick-ass rock and roll?" This led to Lee, Brockie and Gwar's drum technician, Mike Dunn, starting X-Cops as a three-piece band. By the time they played their first show, their ranks had grown considerably.
X-Cops opened for Gwar on stints of their 1995 tour, essentially opening for themselves as every musician in Gwar either played an instrument or sang in X-Cops.
There are two additional songs that X-Cops performed live, but never officially recorded: "Nurture My Pig" (originally a song by The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat is the stage name of American musician Jim Heath as well as the name of his Dallas, Texas-based psychobilly trio. Heath is a singer, songwriter and guitarist....
), and "Conflict Management" (sung by Zipper Pig). According to bootleg videos, Casey Orr (Tubb Tucker) played bass for "Conflict Management", taking the bass from Dave Brockie (Cobb Knobbler), who sang back-up.
X-Cops played their final show in 1996 and Orr, Dunn, Lee, and Musel have since left both X-Cops and Gwar. Dave Brockie Experience
Dave Brockie Experience
The Dave Brockie Experience or DBX is formed of three of the current members of Heavy metal band GWAR. The band is composed of David "Oderus Urungus" Brockie , Brad "Jizmak Da Gusha" Roberts , and Mike "Balsac the Jaws of Death" Derks . DBX is a pet project of GWAR and shows some of their earlier...
has since been known to cover X-Cops songs during live shows.
Main
- Michael Derks as Lt. Louie Scrapinetti (guitar)
- Mike Dunn as Cadet Billy Club (drums)
- Dave Brockie as Patrolman Cobb Knobbler (bass)
- Pete Lee as Sgt. Al Depantsia (guitar)
- Casey Orr as Sheriff Tubb Tucker (vocals)
Auxiliary
- Brad Roberts as Mountain Bike Officer Biff Buff (vocals)
- Bob Gorman as Sgt. Zypygski aka Zipper Pig (vocals)
- Dave Musel as Detective Phillip McRevis (samples)