Where would this world be without GWAR, that randy bunch of art students who created a group of extraterrestrial characters as a school project? Twenty years, innumerable threats to destroy the planet, and gallons of fake menstrual blood later, GWAR's regard for humanity as a kind of galactic refuse has almost become reassuring. So has the band's satirical stage show, the best messy good time this side of cow mutilation or a scat fetishist party. Last month, City spoke with bandleader Dave Brockie - in character as Oderus Urungus, of course. Though his contempt for humankind is well warranted, Urungus always seems ready with a joke or witty retort. It just wouldn't be Oderus without some ranting, however, and he certainly didn't disappoint. A tip for all mortal humans addressing Oderus for the first time: don't suggest that GWAR is a gimmick unless you want to get your ears (and God knows what else) chewed off. An edited transcript follows.

Oderus Urungus: Start asking your questions, human!

City: Why is GWAR still relevant? I mean, how do you justify still being around?

‘Cuz we're the most fucking awesome band that ever was created. All we've ever done is kick everyone's ass. People have tried to copy what we do, but without an ounce of the wit or humor or creativity or dedication and passion that this band has. But I guess the biggest reason is that our fans simply WON'T LET US STOP DOING THIS! [breaks from character:] Hey, can you do me a huge favor? Lemme call you back. I have to get this car situated.

[A few minutes later] So even the mighty Oderus Urungus has car trouble?

Uh... well... there was no room for our bus, so I had to lift some smaller cars out of the way and throw them over the fence.

What message have you got for Bush and the rest of the world's leaders?

"You suck and your days are numbered. Someone is going to fucking get this human race together to the point where you are burned alive and your fucking babies are crucified."

I can't believe people let these people stay in power. These traps that the human race has fallen into - the working, the joining the army, the insurance and health care and all these things you're supposed to do that are supposed to be good for the country and good for you - are so fucking obviously designed to serve the very, very smallest percentage of the human race who are making all the money and living in opulent splendor while the fucking working people of this nation in particular are left to grovel to feed their families fucking macaroni for dinner. These politicians and these priests can line up and kiss my fucking scabby ass.

I'm full of hatred for them. And all that GWAR is dedicated to is their destruction. That's a big part of what GWAR's message is: rise up against your slave masters and destroy them. Unfortunately, these guys are so good at pretending they're your friends that people don't realize how badly they're being tricked - until maybe their son comes back from Iraq with his arms and legs blown off. Or maybe you've been working the same job for 20 years and you've gotten maybe a dollar's raise in all that time. You've been trying to feed your family of four on a $15,000-a-year paycheck and then one day you go to work and go berserk and shoot everybody with a gun that you bought for $200 without a background check.

They wonder why people go on murder sprees! I wonder HOW the fuck they can't see why people don't go on more murder sprees, the way this country is fucking designed to keep you as un-free as possible, suck every living last ounce of life out of you, and then throw you discarded into a stinking hole in the ground where you become food for worms. Take a little drive around a country called Germany one day.

It sounds like GWAR's got a little more of a compassionate tune going. The human race has more than amply demonstrated that it deserves to be destroyed. What the hell are you waiting for?

If I wasn't using broad swords and axes, it would be nuclear bombs and it would be all over. But that's a coward's way to kill. I have to kill everything with my hands. Now, apparently, humans can fuck and create each other faster. I don't want to have to resort to nuclear weapons, I really don't.

On the album "America Must Be Destroyed," going back to '92, the band seemed to have actual musical chops. But now GWAR seems pretty comfy in its role as a caricature.

You think our music is secondary?!

Well, what's your take on your progression?

Well, I think around "Toilet Earth" this band started to think that we were the next Frank Zappa or The Beatles, and our writing styles went all over the place. It was too diverse. The biggest thing that sucks about being in this band is hearing how the music isn't as important. I mean, how could people be so stupid?

The band started out as a fun, punk thing. Did you imagine that you'd be able to maintain it this long?

I think GWAR is a band that's going to last for thousands of years. Even if something happens to me in combat, I'll be able to breed a replacement in the syntho-womb. A lot of people think I'm not serious when I say that, but I am. This band is just getting started. I think you're looking for me to step outside of the character for a second. But this band can go as far as we want it to.

GWAR, Shadows Fall, and the Acacia Stain play Monday, August 13, at Water Street Music Hall, 204 North Water Street, at 7 p.m., $18-$20. All ages (16+over, under 16 must be accompanied by adult). 546-3887, www.waterstreetmusic.com.