X-Cops | |
|---|---|
 The band "X-Cops" playing at the9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2024. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative metal |
| Years active | 1994-1996, 2013, 2023-present |
| Labels | Pit records |
| Spinoff of | Gwar |
| Website | https://xcops.net |
X-Cops is a side project composed of members from the heavy metal bandGwar and their extended "family" of musicians. Each member of X-Cops performs in a police uniform and has their own character. They released the albumYou Have The Right To Remain Silent... onMetal Blade Records in 1995.[1] The album included a cover ofDeep 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" onMan's Ruin Records in 1996.
X-Cops' style has been described asalternative metal.[2]
Peter Lee started the band after being shot in a failedcar jacking attempt. The idea came while filming a commercial segment for Gwar'sSkulhedface. Lee andDave 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'sdrum 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 some dates of their 1994 tour. Essentially, the band members opened for themselves, as every musician in Gwar either played an instrument or sang in X-Cops.[3] They also headlined a tour in 1995 and some select dates in 1996.
There are two additional songs that X-Cops performed live, but never officially recorded: "Nurture My Pig" (originally a song by The Loco Gringo's), 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.
In their first incarnation, X-Cops played their final show in 1996.Dave Brockie Experience later went on to perform X-Cops songs during live shows. X-Cops reunited for a performance at the 4th annual Gwar-B-Q in Richmond, VA, on August 17, 2013. The band reunited again a decade later in 2023, again as an opening act for Gwar.[4] A new EP, titledXCAB, was released on June 28, 2024.[5]
