Tribute: Dave Brockie, David Lander, Gregory Marshall and Aleister Hobbs. RIP

by Chris Chaos

A  few years ago, back when Axis Video was working on Dynasty of Darkness and its
sequel, Dynasty of Darkness: Apocalyptic End we had the chance to meet and work with
many people in the music business. Unfortunately several have passed, they were friends
and we miss them greatly.

Here are a few:

David Lander:
On August 2, 2008
Manager and father of band members Morgan and Mercedes from Kittie
VIDEO: Kittie

While setting up the interviews and concert filming of Kittie we spoke to Dave to iron out all the details. He set up the show and outlined the songs that we could use in our film, Dynasty of Darkness. He also joked (I think) that if we released any of the songs that were not available to the public, that he would kill me.

Aleister Tennyson Hobbs:
October 11, 2011
Member of Dead Emotion, Dead Sea Surfers
VIDEO: Dead Emotion

One of the fondest memories of Al was when we were filming the Dead Emotion music video for the song Bytch. He drove down from New York and arrived there before the other band members. This was the first time that we met him so it was slightly odd when he walked into the house and opened up his suitcase like he was at a hotel. He was a joy to work with and he also appeared in some of our other videos.

Gregory Marshall:
April 23, 2012
Member of Suture Seven, 7th Layer
VIDEO: Suture Seven

Greg was our contact point when we were filming segments for the band Suture Seven for Dynasty of Darkness. He was a great guy and very funny to be around. After filming one of their concerts he saved us a 2 hour trip and let us stay at his house overnight. Nicknamed Spooney and on occasion bared a resemblance to Uncle Fester from The Addams Family and Billy Corgan from The Smashing Pumpkins.

Dave Brockie:
On Sunday March 23, 2014
Member of Gwar, Dave Brockie Experience, X-Cops, Death Piggy
VIDEO: The Dave Brockie Experience

For 2 days, a full weekend, Dave kidnapped us and we filmed two of his shows in the Philly area. This was the weekend when the show spilled so much alcohol that my hardshell camera case actually floated away. Sadly that night he speculated on who the next rock star was to overdose...his choice is actually still alive.

REST IN PIECE MY FRIENDS!!!!

To purchase DOD:
Dynasty of Darkness

#2
Dynasty of Darkness: Apocalyptic End

(Chris Chaos is a long time resident of South Jersey who once again resides in and writes from Gloucester City, New Jersey. He is a filmmaker, a business owner, writer, urban explorer and investigator of the odd and weird, a proud parent, happily taken and a connoisseur of hot wings. Chris can be reached at AxisVideo@aol.com)

Dave Brockie's Passing

by Chris Chaos

I woke up this morning to the news that Dave Brockie (Gwar, X-Cops, The Dave Brockie Experience, Death Piggy) passed away yesterday. I had numerous texts from friends and associates that knew that I worked with Dave and included one of his videos on Dynasty of Darkness: Apocalyptic End.

  

As of late there have been many faked and spoofed celebrity deaths listed on the internet, but all sources checked out that Dave really did pass. As of this writing there is not a known cause of death but the authorities suspect no foul play and drugs were NOT present. In the past when Flattus Maximus (Cory Smoot) passed the members of Gwar were at least relieved that drugs were not the cause of his death. Cory's official death was listed as coronary artery thrombosis (Heart attack) brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease. Cory died at age 35. Dave then  stated that he was taking steps in his own life to be a little more healthy and he also planned on quitting smoking. While working with him I never observed him doing any sort of drugs, just a lot of drinking. He even speculated that another popular lead singer (who I will not identify) from a metal band would most likely be the next person to die from over dosing of heroin. He gained this insight from when Dave toured with this band and the person in questions was beyond messed up from doing drugs prior to completing their set.

I had the fortune of working with Dave a few years back when we filmed 2 of his The Dave Brockie Experience shows in the Philly area. While interviewing him I saw a side to him that I never experienced before. He is on every level a true rocker and loved doing what he did creating music and performing up on stage. The passion burned fiercely within him. Hopefully in the coming months I can finally edit up the massive amount of footage that I filmed at his shows and make a fitting tribute for Dave and all the contributions that he made to the music world over his long enduring career.

The video we did for Dave Brockie "Damn that Money" is on this DVD:

Dynasty of Darkness: Apocalyptic End

(Chris Chaos is a long time resident of South Jersey who once again resides in and writes from Gloucester City, New Jersey.  He is a filmmaker, a business owner, writer, urban explorer and investigator of the odd and weird, a proud parent, happily taken and a connoisseur of hot wings. Chris can be reached at AxisVideo@aol.com)