If one or two people walk out, I think I’ve actually done my job
Be prepared for strong language as Canadian tour-de-force Tom Stade takes to the road with his stand-up show I Swear. MARION McMULLEN chats with the cool dude of comedy about breaking taboos
What’s it like being back on the road again with your show I Swear?
OH, man, I’ve never been off the road. There’s never a weekend I’m not working. I’ve been on the road longer than the Rolling Stones... and I gave them a 20 year start. I’ve been doing this since 1989. The Rolling Stones at least have six months stints off every now and again.
Do you find it easy to relax when you’re not touring?
(LAUGHS) It’s when I come home that I turn into an idiot. The road is my home. Things just get weird when I’m not touring and I’m home in Edinburgh. I start to get stir crazy.
Do you get a lot of your comedy ideas when you driving?
WHEN you are in a car for six hours you are in a place where you have no distractions and I have come to like that. It’s like being in one of those sensory deprivation tank things. You get to think things through and come up with ideas.
But you have to believe in yourself that what you think is funny. If I come up with a comedy idea at home, I end up running around my wife like a five-year-old saying ‘Look at me, look at me.’
You’ve done TV shows like Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and The John Bishop Show and co-wrote Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights. Is it hard not to swear when you are on television?
IF I’m on one of those shows I don’t mind toning it down. I feel like I’m going into your home so I’m not going to come out with ‘What the f**k is this?’ (Laughs) But if you come to me for a show that’s like coming into my home, my own place, and I can do what the f**k’ I want.
You’ve been described as both mischievous and enlightened. Is there any subject that’s off limits?
WE’RE living in a very dangerous time with people in the desert chopping someone’s head off. Let me tell you Isis does not have a sense of humour.
Those who want to be in power have also lost their sense of humour. I think we should pick our leaders by going into a room at any factory and saying ‘Hey, Bob, you’re the new leader.’
He wasn’t looking for it and he wouldn’t make the same mistakes. He’d be like ‘OK, so my wife says schools need more computers and sh*t so let’s do something about that.’
Have you ever had people walk out of a show?
OF COURSE. There’s a difference between a comedian and someone who makes people laugh, someone who is a people pleaser. A comedian is someone that has something to say like a Mark Twain or Voltaire. It can be an art form. A people pleaser is someone who just wants to make you laugh and they are not going to say anything offensive. A comedian wants to challenge your thoughts not just tickle your funny bone. (Laughs) I always think if everyone walks out then it’s a bad show, but if one or two walk out I think I’ve actually done my job. IT always changes. I’m never satisfied. Sometimes I like to be in the moment. I’m aware of what is going on with the audience.
If you’ve seen the show before and come back again it will be different.
How did your comedy career begin in Canada?
THE first time I stood on a comedy stage was in 1989, two weeks before my 19th birthday, so I can officially say I was 18 years old when I started.
I still enjoy working with young comedians and do an online sitcom with Daniel Sloss. (Chuckles) I like feeding off their energy like a wicked witch.
A lot of these guys are so young and funny and they have not been conditioned yet. I can relate to them more then when I see someone coming into the business at 31 or 32 who has already been conditioned to be nice and polite and not cause offence.
I started at 18 and I wasn’t worried about being liked.
Any plans following this UK tour?
I’M already working on the next show that I’m going to play at the Edinburgh Festival and then I’ll be popping off to Australia to tour before coming back here ... and then I’ll maybe think about taking some time off.
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