Chuck Varga former member of GWAR was a featured guest at the first ever Edmonton Expo, in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. Chuck chatted with Punk Globe about working with GWAR, and changes in his career path. Check it out:

How stoked are you to be a featured guest at the first ever Edmonton Expo?

I am very excited. Its quite an honor actually, back in the early 80's the founders of GWAR and myself would attend the Atlanta Fantasy Convention (proto-DragonCon) and were inspired by the feedback of the featured guests then.

As a member of GWAR, you are no stranger to costumes. As a child what were some of your favorite costumes for Halloween?

The Mummy, Wolfman and Zombies. I was a huge Lon Chaney fan.

Growing up, what were some of your favorite comic book characters?

I grew up in the 60's and still collect comics. the Thing, Spiderman,Thor, Dr. Doom and the Silver Surfer. I liked the Batman and Green Hornet television programs.

Where do you find inspiration for your illustrations?

I was an Art History major in college, but I still consult my comics for much of it.

Are there any artists that motivated you to enter the world of comic book illustrations?

Sure. Jack Kirby, Bernie Wrightson, John Romita, Walter Simonson, Wally Wood, Norman Saunders, Jack Davis, Robert Williams, S. Clay Wilson and Robert Crumb to name but a few.

As a member of Slave Pit, what do you currently do?

I perform from time to time and attend events such as this. Right now I'm negotiating a comeback tour for 2013 and part of that will entail collaborating on the Art Direction of the stage show and creating an updated version of the Sexecutioner.

Designing special effects is said to be a very complicated task. Can you describe your creative process?

Most of the effects I design are for Theater. First of all I establish a good repoire with the Art Director and make sure we are on the same page. I research as much as possible and try to dial up the appropriate aesthetic. I then work up a budget to be as realistic as possible. Often times I consult other effects artists and technicians for their feedback. The process involves sketches, maquettes, constructing the mechanics involved for several versions and try to give the gag some extra wow factor, and then the finished product.

You’re an artist in every sense of the word. Switching to a different medium of art. Let’s talk music. Currently, who are your favorite musicians?

My music tastes are eclectic and eccentric. All over the place. I like everything from Ween to Wing.

What was the first concert you ever attended?

Believe it or not it was Jesus Christ Super Star (the original Broadway cast), they were awesome!

What is your favorite GWAR song? Performance?

My favorite songs are Sonderkommando and American must be Destroyed. My favorite tour was the first Skulhed Face.

As a member of GWAR, you accomplished many great feats. Can you tell us about them?

That would require way too much time and space. The best place to hear those feats will be at the bar once Casey Orr and I get liquored up.

GWAR has had several line up changes, how do you feel about these changes?

That's complicated and I am biased by my particular line-up. I liked the days when GWAR had more artists involved and took more chances on stage.

There are conflicting stories regarding the origins of the Sexecutioner. Can you explain the character roots?

Sexy, like GWAR, is an ever mutating story in progress. The Sexecutioner was a newer version of the original Executioner played by Mike Delaney. Originally the character development was contrived over stoned conversations while working on props at the Slave Pit and never had a formal treatment. The current story line is that he was recruited long ago with the other Scumdogs from a Gladiator planet. He has had so many brain transplants, dismemberments and back stage surgeries that there are only a few of the original cells in his current body. The Sexecutioner has been roaming the galaxy in search of himself, which takes him back to Earth of coarse, to reunite with the other Scumdogs and breed prodigiously.

You have created quite a colorful resume for yourself. To date, which has been your favorite career endeavor?

I have worked on everything from GWAR to Lion King, from True Grit to the Avengers movie. I like subversive plots where I have more creative control so I would have to say that crafting the GWAR stage show was my favorite.

What can fans expect to see from you in the future? What are some of your current projects?

I am a member of several film unions and primarily do work as a sculptor and scenic artist these days. I collaborate on public art projects with my ex Andrea Polli and just finished work on the latest Darren Aronofsky film "Noah". Right now I'm trying to get on the next Spiderman movie and getting myself in shape for a return to the stage next year.

Anything else you would like to add?

Nothing surpasses the thrill of making your mark on stage and watching the audience spaz-out in shock and adulation. Everything else in life is just second hand smoke in comparison. Its been a wild ride.