A guitarist for the costumed metal band GWAR was found dead on a tour bus hours after a performance Wednesday night at First Avenue. Cory Smoot's band mates discovered him while trying to wake him to cross the border into Canada. A cause of death has not been determined.

First Avenue stage manager Conrad Sverkerson, who has worked closely with the band at its many local gigs for 20-plus years, said there was nothing unusual about Wednesday's show. He said the band's bus left the club about 1:45 a.m.

"They're actually not the kind of guys known as partiers; they're really solid guys," Sverkerson said. First Avenue staff sent out on Twitter a note that read, "Our thoughts are with our friends GWAR."

Known as Flattus Maximus to fans of the shock-and-gore band, Smoot, 34, joined GWAR in 2002. The group was a week into a monthlong tour and due to play Friday in Edmonton.

"The members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated," band leader Dave Brockie, a k a Oderus Urungus, said in a statement.