The first time I encountered Doug Stanhope he was in bed in his Edinburgh Fringe flat. I think he may have been tattooing himself at the time. The second time I encountered Stanhope he was doing a gig at the Tron pub and there was nearly a fight onstage between a disgruntled punter and Scott Capurro. Stanhope doesn't even need to be performing to produce an electrifying atmosphere. Much is made of his fondness for drink, but let's not overlook the fact that he is as much social commentator as boozy stand-up comic. You might have caught him sitting in the middle of the road waxing cynical on Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe. At his best he is obscenely funny, pricking the pomposity of politics and modern life in general. He has been compared to Bill Hicks, but while Stanhope shares the anger he is very much a one-off who marches to the beat of his own drum, as you can see from some of his answers below. Or he would, but he would probably refuse to march.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies, check for spinach between teeth and check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?
It's off-putting that this Rarely Asked Interview series is always the same questions. It feels like instead of an interview, they've just handed you a form to fill out. Like it might not even get read. You may as well just give me a page and say "write whatever you want here." It feels very lonely.
2. What irritates you?
You could have made it even less personal by making it multiple choice. That would be more expedient. Or maybe I could just put 5 answers to arbitrary questions on my website and send you a link.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I live in the desert, and I have to walk my dogs.
I’ve been shitting a lot of sushi, too. I’m taking some chances.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Oftentimes on the road I will take very long walks when I wake up and don't know where I am and need to get back to my hotel. Terror can at times be a great replacement for the sauna to help you sweat out toxins. Dry heaves help keep the abs tight.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
I’m not sure. I have a series of tattoos, notes and Polaroids but I don’t exactly know.
Interview continues here. You'd be a fool not to keep reading.
