GWAR frontman Blothar the Berzerker has come out against President Donald Trump’s plan to slash funding to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service.
“Public media is in danger,” the heavy-metal singer said in a video posted to the band’s Instagram, criticizing the billion-dollar cuts of pre-approved funds to public media.
“This could very well silence the music,” the singer said. “It’s gonna take away arts and culture from the lives of people, or at least, access to that.”
Blothar, whose real name is Michael Bishop, pointed out the potential loss of rural media stations. Often, stations that serve far-flung locales rely heavily on federal funds to remain operational.
Bishop’s band, whose four-decade run has produced beloved songs like “Sick of You” and “Let Us Slay,” is known for a theatrical stage show that often include faux beheadings and gross set pieces that leave front row attendees covered in fake bodily fluids. Addressing his followers in character as Blothar, Bishop called banners to an intergalactic crusade against the bill.
“Rise up, people,” Blothar declared. “In the name of Fred Rogers, in the name of Big Bird, and the drunken Lady Elaine Fairchild, changes to this bill are still possible. Now is the time to urge your senator to remove the proposal that targets public media from the package of this ‘big beautiful bill.’”
The move by the singer was a rare one, but one that commenters on the video saw as a necessity.
“If GWAR is telling you your planet sucks…” commented one user.
The bill, which passed both the House and the Senate in early July, is now awaiting a final vote in both chambers. If it passes in both chambers, the bill could go to Trump’s desk as early as Friday.
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