Steve Hughes is an Australian standup comedian and thrash metal musician who comments on culture and society.
He is very funny.
I first came across Steve’s work about a decade ago when he appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.
He has embraced the title ‘heavy metal humourist’, as it aligns with his general approach to comedy, music and life.
Steve’s comedy is often self-deprecating and based on observations. He also often talks about religion, politics, and race, and is known for having a dry sense of humour and making people laugh at truths that aren’t fun to hear.
He has released two DVDs:
- Steve Hughes: Live at the Apollo
- Steve Hughes: It’s Not My Fault
Steve was active in the early thrash metal scene in Australia. He played drums in bands like Mortal Sin, Slaughter Lord, and Nazxul.
He tried comedy for the first time in 1994, not long after joining Nazxul. He started doing shows at the Comedy Store in Sydney.
Steve quit the band (ha ha) and left Australia for Ireland in 1999, went to Manchester and stayed with fellow Australian comedian Jim Jefferies.
Stand-up comedy
In the West, stand-up comedy gets a big hat-tip from the United States.
American minstrel shows, which were popular in the 1840s, laid the groundwork for modern stand-up comedy. They were pioneers of solo comedic performances and frequently featured stereotypes of Black people.
However, burlesque performances and variety acts in late 19th century New York gave actual rise to stand-up comedy.
Comedians used to perform for live audiences by telling jokes, singing, and dancing. Vaudeville was a national phenomenon in the early 20th century, and variety acts, such as stand-up comedians, were commonplace.
Because of this, stand-up comedy became more popular as a solo art form.
Legendary vaudeville acts like the Marx Brothers propelled national stand-up comedy to stardom. Nightclubs and comedy clubs saw a surge in popularity as venues for stand-up acts following WWII. The likes of Lenny Bruce in the ’50s and Mort Sahl in the ’60s were among the first comedians to tackle taboo subjects in their stand-up routines.
The 1970s saw the rise of stand-up comedy as a legitimate art form.
Comedy albums and specials by stars like Bob Newhart, George Carlin and Richard Pryor became commercial hits.
Many well-known comedians who are still performing today got their opportunities in the 1980s at small comedy clubs.
Conversation
Steve chatted to me about a range of things including postmodernism, wokeness, political correctness and powerful people running the show.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
George Carlin
