This previous Monday, information broke that GWAR guitarist Brent Purgason, who’d performed as Pustulus Maximus since 2012, was leaving the band on good phrases. It was an surprising flip of occasions that followers understandably had been shocked to search out out.

And whereas his statements relating to his departure have been nice and supportive of his now former bandmates, a bit of nugget of data sprouted up within the feedback of his Fb publish on the matter. Because it seems, it doesn’t pay to be a Scumdog of the Universe.

After one individual brazenly questioned why Purgason was leaving, one other referenced rumors that the members of the band “clear about $40k/12 months.” Admittedly, that’s a good paycheck for somebody contemporary out of school, perhaps — however not for a grown ass man with grownup obligations and payments. No surprise he opted to go away, proper?

If solely that had been the case, sadly. In response to a remark made by the person himself, Purgason instructed that members of the band make “extra like half of that sadly,” referencing the beforehand instructed $40,000 per 12 months.

Now, I’m not one to guage how a lot somebody makes — nor am I saying that’s why Purgason left the band — however rattling. If that’s an correct quantity and he’s estimating band members make nearer to $20,000 a 12 months, that’s kinda loopy.

Everyone knows it’s laborious to be a musician nowadays, what with venue merch cuts, elevated touring prices, and a complete slew of different systemic points that depart our favourite performers having to carry the bag. However to be taught {that a} band like GWAR, that’s been round since 1984 and has an enormous following that always buys their loopy ass merch on the common, can’t pay a good wage to the fellows really making the music, that’s simply wild.

Understand that the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the 2022 poverty threshold for a single individual below 65 years of age final 12 months was $15,230. If that very same individual is in a two-person family with none youngsters, they’re thought of dwelling in poverty if the mixed earnings is $19,690. Add a child to the combo and that quantity is $19,597.

All of that’s to say that in case you’re a member of GWAR, you might have a child and also you’re the only bread winner, you then’re dwelling below the poverty line. Now, I’m not going to imagine everybody’s dwelling conditions, nor will I say that every one these guys are broke and dwelling in squalor — totally different members may have totally different offers, their vital others are possible working as nicely, so issues may very well be okay.

Figuring out what Purgason instructed, it’s a surprise musicians proceed to do what they do though the cash’s not there. All of them deserve a ton of respect and thanks for that…

(Because of Jensen Bohren for the tip.)