Saddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction

The group's logo, affectionately named "Feller"

**Saddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction** (sometimes simply just **The Weapons**, **Saddam**, or rarely **The WMDs**) are a Jackfuck experimental band formed in 2019 by bassist Bucko Um and guitarist Damian Centeno.

## History

### Formation

The group was formed on March 11, 2019 when Bucko Um and Damian Centeno agreed to form a duo called Saddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction, where they would play progressive rock, blues, and jazz music. Centeno said he gave this name to the band because he wanted to have a name that was long for no reason and to parody the names of old rock and roll bands from the 1950s. They were later joined by vocalist Ho Chi Meme, songwriter Lieutenant Dan, Bucko Um's friend Felix, guitarist Cas, and bassist Monads, making up a majority of what would later be called the Mark I lineup.

### Mark I (2019 - 2020): *Dark Side of the Hox, Household Objects,* and *Wish You Weren't Queer*

In Spring of 2019, the band got together to record what was to become their debut album, *Dark Side of the Hox*, which was released in September, the first album to be released on the Moyai Records imprint. The band's main influences at the time were Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa. The bulk of material was mainly written and recorded by Centeno, Bucko Um, and Ho Chi Meme with contributions from other members when requested.

During this time, the band was recording a project called Household Objects (Expanded and Remastered) parodying the aborted Pink Floyd project of the same name. Only one song from this project was released and ironically was shelved in the same manner as the original Pink Floyd project.

The band's second album, *Wish You Weren't Queer,* was released in June 2020. Production on the album began shortly after the release of the first album but was halted due to faulty recording equipment. In the interim, trumpeter Aldo Raine was asked to join with the intention of having a horns section, but instead ended up being a percussionist. The single from this album "Cereal ft. Skodwarde Testicles" is the most popular Mark I era Weapons song.

## Influences

The Weapons were strongly influenced by artists such as Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention, XTC, Blue Effect, The Edgar Broughton Band, Baja Mali Knindža, Hanatarash, and many more.

## Band members

##### **Current lineup**

* Damian Centeno - guitar, bass guitar, vocals, keyboards, violin (2019 - present)
* Bucko Um - bass guitar, guitar, bottle (2019 - present)
* Lieutenant Dan - simian noises, percussion, spoken word, guitar (2019 - present)
* Cas - guitar (2019 - present)
* Aldo Raine - percussion (2019 - present)
* Zer - vocals, guitar, ukulele (2020 - present)
* Polish Pot Pie - violin (2020 - present)
* Captain Nautilus - keyboards (2020 - present)
* Jess - keyboards (2021 - present)
* Ethan Cochrane - bass guitar (2022 - present)
* Dro - drums and whatnot (2022 - present)

##### **Former members**

* Ho Chi Meme - vocals, percussion (2019 - 2020)
* Monads - bass guitar, harmonica, flute (2019 - 2021)
* Rose - violin (2021 - 2022)
* Felix Bro - tuba mouthpiece, guitar (2019 - 2022)

## Discography

#### Albums

* Dark Side of the Hox (2019)
* Household Objects (Expanded and Remastered) (abandoned, never released)
* Wish You Weren't Queer (2020)

#### EPs

* Soundtrack from "The Bogdan Problem" (2021)

#### Singles

* Taking a Flying Leap (Off a Bridge) (2019)
* Cereal ft. Skodwarde Testicles (2019)
* I Drive the Bus (2020)

## Gallery

Saddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Dark Side of the Hox (Full Album)Dark Side of the HoxSaddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Wish You Weren't QueerWish You Weren't QueerSaddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - I Drive the BusI Drive The BusSaddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Soundtrack from "The Bogdan Problem" (FULL EP)The Bogdan ProblemSaddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Qovurilgan moyaklar (Traditional Uzbek song)Saddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Basses (Three Different Ones)Saddam Hussein and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Qatar Cannibal Festival