 Before he joins Gwar in 1985, he was guitarist for the Norfolk, VA hardcore punk band JUDICIAL FEAR from 1980–1984.As opposed to the early style of Oderus, which featured Brockie singing in his regular (non-Oderus) voice, Joey Slutman had a deep growling voice.From 1989 to 1993, he was vocalist and guitarist in the Philadelphia band Throttle, recording one cassette-only release titled "FREAKS" on Knucklehead Records in 1989, and a 7" EP titled "New Freaks on the Block" in 1991, on Heat Blast records.