Steve Hughes
Steve Hughes is a big name in the world of comedy, and currently midway through a huge tour of the United Kingdom.
We got the chance to chat to him about his beginnings, what comedy means to him and what he may be doing if his career in stand-up didn't work out.
When did you first get involved in the world of comedy?
I first got into the world of comedy about 1995 in Sydney, Australia and in 1999 moved to Ireland and then in 2000 to England and have been involved in this constant cycle of walking onto stages to talk into a microphone ever since.
What is it about comedy that appealed to you?
Comedy appealed to me because I was funny and I needed a creative outlet away from being in bands and playing music which is what I did before comedy. I also needed to get a job that paid without getting a real job because real jobs suck.
What is the feeling you get when you get those laughs from a crowd?
Mainly relief if I'm honest, but the other night in Newcastle they were laughing so hard at the beginning of the show that I couldn't focus because I was laughing so much as the energy was so intense, but then I got talking about more of the serious topics I discuss and it levelled out a bit - a bit too much I felt - and it felt like I peaked in the first 5 minutes. That doesn't feel good at all.
Tell us about your 'While It's Still Legal' tour.
I never know what to say when people ask this question. I could go into a long-winded philisophical break down of my personal experience of it and the inner meaning of why I feel the need to do this or I could just say it's funny, vulgar, thought provoking, personal stand-up comedy for people who like to witness spiritual car accidents while p*****g themselves laughing.
How does the UK weigh up in comparison to Australia?
The UK has a much better comedy scene, but if you're funny then you're funny and you should be able to be funny anywhere, so then it doesn't matter to have a comparison because people a laughing.
If you weren't doing stand-up, where do you think you'd be?
I would be doing music or being depressed. I'm not very good at life without art.
Who are some comedians that you enjoy?
Living ones or dead ones? Living I like Alan Carr, Doug Stanhope, Reg Hunter, Glenn Wool, Jim Jefferies, Hal Cruttenden, Bill Burr, Daniel Kittson, Billy Connely, Rik Mayall, Adrien Edmondson, Dave Chapelle, Marcell Lu Cont and others I can't remember.
Are there any other projects coming up that you can share some details about?
I have a music CD I have recorded called 'Sunaire' - my band is called Eternum but I'm the only member and I haven't released any of it yet so that's on the back burner.
I also have an animated film project which is in the process of being put together with a friend of mine in Australia. This is my aim in the new year to get the script and voiceovers finished so the long process of animating can be finished. It's a feature length film and is going to be very full on and funny.
Steve Hughes is currently performing the 'While It's Still Legal' Tour, more information on which can be found online at stevehughes.net.au