In addition to an extensive acting and stand-up resume, Brian Posehn has forged a unique career path for himself by taking on projects that deal with things he truly loves. From Dungeons and Dragons to Anthrax (the band, possibly the substance as well) to Comic books, he's turned nerdiness into an art form -- or several different art forms, actually.
Brian will be making appearances right here in St. Louis, MO this week at the St. Louis Funnybone February 21st-23rd, and will spend Saturday afternoon at the Star Clipper on Delmar.
Among other things, I chatted with Brian about his various projects and his passion for Metal (the music, not the building material.)
Matt Conty: I can't really explain why, but I spent roughly 82 minutes listening to Episode 12 of the Nerd Poker Podcast. I have to admit that was far more entertaining that I would have imagined it to be. Sort of a constantly updating Books on Tape, with smartass remarks! Can you talk about the concept behind it, and how's it doing?
Brian Posehn: I'd been approached about doing a podcast by a couple different networks but I've been friends with Scott Aukerman from Earwolf since before Mr. Show. He and I talked, I didn't want to do the same thing that every comedian does. I had played D and D with this same group of friends for over ten years. We broke up our game four years ago when three of us got our wives pregnant, which I think was a D and D first. I thought it would be an entertaining show. I guess I was right. People are digging it and it's doing really well.
Besides death, is there an actual end to a game of Dungeons and Dragons?
No. Quests end but the game never really ends. If you die, you just roll up a new guy. If everyone dies in your group, you all start over and you fire your dungeon master.
Is there anything comparable to D and D that has come out in the last 30 years?
There are a lot of RPGs in the dice and card world and the video game world but I still love D and D because of the social aspect. It is nerd poker.
I understand you have a son, now three or four years old? Do you still tour as much doing stand-up as you did before he was in your life?
He's almost four. I do more stand-up now actually. I have to pay for action figures, Disneyland trips and pre-school. Oh, and food.
I read that you feel like your act has evolved to be more about your life in general. Does your son or parenting in general now make it into the act?
Yeah, but I'm real conscious of not doing too much to lose people who don't have kids or hate them. And it always has to have my spin on it.
Was the decision to talk more about your life on stage a conscious one, or did it just happen with time and a developed level of comfort needed to go there?
The latter. I've just sort of organically become more of a storyteller in the last ten years. I also enjoy comics where their act comes from their life like Louie and Patton.
Now that you have had a fair amount of time spent Marajuana-free, what's your overall take on what the difference, if any, there is in your creative processes? Better/Worse/Indifferent?
