Podcast episode 518ish: Steve Bays

Bays is back! It's been two years since musician extraordinaire Steve Bays has been with us. Like always, we go long. Steve showed off his acting chops with some amazing accent work, told stories of nearly meeting a Beatle, watching an SNL rehearsal, and more. The episode runs almost 90 minutes but this is the holiday season so treat yourself.

You can listen here or download (and subscribe) at iTunes, Stitcher or Podbean.

Dec. 16: Steve Bays

Christmas comes early to What's So Funny? as Steve Bays makes his seventh appearance with us, but first since 2016. Steve just got off the plane from New York City so will be bringing us stories from La Grande Pomme. Maybe he saw some live comedy there? According to his Twitter account, he got to watch an SNL rehearsal. Can't wait to hear about it. Steve, as everyone knows, is one of the all-time great tambourine players. I believe he has a new Mounties album coming out, too, on February 8. It's always a bit of a marathon session when Bays drops by so buckle up. He may or may not be bringing a special surprise guest with him. Who could it be?!

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver at 11 pm for all the rock talk (and comedy). If you're a fan of Mounties or Hot Hot Heat or Fur Trade (all bands of his) and you're outside our listening area, you're not really because we can be heard worldwide. Livestream us at coopradio.org or find us on the TuneIn Radio app.

Podcast episode 439ish: Steve Bays

It's Steve Bays time once again. It's always fun hanging with the rocker. His former band (maybe) Hot Hot Heat has a new album out, eponymously titled, and it's great. He came to the studio armed with his girlfriend, actress Siobhan Williams, so I came in armed with my brother-in-law, visiting from out of town. The three of us do our best to get Steve to organize one last tour for HHH. Also in the episode, Steve tries to name all 20 bands he's been in over the years, and we talk about lyrics, emo and ego. And we tie it all together with comedy.

Here's the gizmo to get you started. Or you can go download us and/or subscribe to the show at iTunes. Or Stitcher. Or other places.

Oct. 23: Steve Bays

Tonight rock 'n' roller Steve Bays joins the 5-timers club. Coincidentally, while in a Gastown tourist shop this very afternoon, I heard his band, Mounties, playing over the speaker. Last time he was with us, I heard him playing at a coffee shop the same day. Kismet, baby. But his other group, Hot Hot Heat, just released their latest and last album and it's fantastic. So we'll talk about that, play a couple of tracks for you, and I'll find out why they say this is their last album and why they're not touring it. Maybe I'll convince him to keep the band going. I'll do my best. We'll also talk comedy because Steve is a huge comedy fan who has composed music for various comedy shows.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. If your old-timey radio is on the fritz, you can livestream us at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 391ish: Steve Bays

Steve Bays is baaaaack! In a big way. Or a very long way, at least. This episode breaks the record for the longest in our 11-year history. Two hours and nine minutes is too long, I grant you. But the beauty of podcasts is that you stop when you're tired and it'll be right there where you left off when you get back. I don't know what it is about that guy, but we always just keep talking and talking. What did we cover? What didn't we cover is more like it. Steve, as you probably know, is the lead singer for Hot Hot Heat, Mounties and Fur Trade, but the band that got the most mentions was one of his firsts: Pilot Light. We discuss the do's and don't's of interviewing rock stars, drinking junkie beer in Switzerland, grandparents, gruesome band injuries, being Jew-ish, homesickness in Tokyo, and the end of civilization. And even more than that!

It's all ready to be downloaded at your favourite podcast repository, such as your iTunes, Stitcher, and the like. Or you can start streaming it right here if you see the gizmo below. Your call.

June 7: Steve Bays

Mr. Bays, it's time for your annual check-up. Steve Bays has been paying us an annual visit since 2011. The last time he was here, he brought his bandmates from Mounties: Hawksley Workman and Ryan Dahl. This time, he's solo. Steve's always juggling a zillion things. When he's not writing, producing, performing and touring with his own groups – Hot Hot Heat, Mounties and Fur Trade – he's producing other groups, directing videos, and drinking at Legion halls. Okay, I don't know all he does. Maybe we'll find out tonight. Maybe not. But we'll have fun, as we always do.

Tune in to 100.5 FM in Vancouver or livestream us at coopradio.org at 11 pm.

Podcast episode 342ish: Mounties (Hawksley Workman, Ryan Dahle & Steve Bays)

Are you ready to rock?! You better be because we've got Mounties on this very special podcast episode. You know, the rock band. The super-group. All three members are present and accounted for. Prior to their first ever Canadian tour (or tour anywhere), Hawksley Workman, Ryan Dahle, and Steve Bays stopped by the What's So Funny? studios for close to two hours. Gollywonkers, that's a long one. Sure, maybe it's a tad self-indulgent, but there are three of them. At 1 hour 48 minutes, that works out to a mere 36 minutes per Mountie.

It's not all music talk, don't you worry. No questions about musical influences or how they met. Rather it's a wide-ranging (read: all over the map) talk about things like Steve Bays' pet rabbit, Ryan Dahle's favourite teacher, and Hawksley Workman's favourite sitcom. We also gabbed about funny dads (they all have one, it turns out), memorizing Jerry Seinfeld routines, how merch takes the fun out of the music business, how boogie-woogie music makes you cool, and growing up in the 1940s. We also find out which Mountie isn't a big fan of Hall & Oates.

If you haven't already, go buy Mounties' album Thrash Rock Legacy. It's on iTunes. I bought it and love it. That's a high compliment because I know my rock'n'roll... It's still called rock'n'roll, isn't it? And while you're at it, go back and get some Hot Hot Heat, Fur Trade, Limblifter, Age of Electric, or any of Hawksley's previous incarnations. They're all the bee's knees, as the kids are saying.

Get started right here by clicking below. Or go to all the usual podcast outlets to download the episode. You know, Stitcher, PodcastLand, iTunes, et. al.

Mar. 9: Mounties (Steve Bays, Hawksley Workman, Ryan Dahle)

"Camera's over here, fellas."
From left, Workman, Dahle, Bays.

As its name would imply, What's So Funny? usually draws its guests from the vast world of comedy. Occasionally, though, I like to throw a bone to a young up-and-coming band struggling to make its way in the world of show business. I think of it as giving back to the community. So when the fledgling group Mounties approached me and begged to be on the show, I welcomed them with open arms.

Regular listeners of the show will be familiar with Steve Bays, who's been with us four previous times. Steve sometimes warbles with bands such as Fur Trade and the redundantly named Hot Hot Heat. Tonight he brings along two other boys with him: Ryan Dahle has dabbled in music with the bands Age of Electric and Limblifter; and Hawksley Workman, known for his work with Hawksley Workman (obviously he doesn't play well with others). Together the three lads have formed what is apparently known in the business as a "supergroup." I'll ask them what that means but presumably their costumes involve capes and masks – rock and roll isn't really my area of expertise. But I bought and paid for with my own hard-earned cash the new Mounties album just released this past week called Thrash Rock Legacy and I must say it's quite catchy. I highly recommend it. Don't let the title fool you. These boys have a lot of talent; they're not just out there thrashing around like animals.

So tune in tonight for all the fun and frivolity that only three musicians can bring you. We're on the air at 11 pm and will go until it ends, whenever that may be. Tune in to CFRO, Vancouver Co-op radio, 100.5 FM. If you're from far away, livestream us at coopradio.org. And of course we'll drop it as a podcast episode when I get around to it. Go download their album first to prime you. And check them out at a venue near you. They're going on tour in ten days once they learn all their songs and choreography. I will be in the front row at the Commodore when they play there on March 21 enjoying the mosh pit.

Podcast episode 320ish: Steve Bays

Well, look what we have here! Another podcast episode. I know they've been scarce this summer, but as guest Steve Bays says in this one, it was also the driest July on record. So maybe we were just trying to match the weather, guest-wise.

Raw dawg Steve Bays makes his annual visit in this one and we had a good time talking about all sorts of things. Like what, you ask? Like his aversion to the definite article, for one thing. About what kind of nightmares he has. And why he'd invite Larry Flint to dinner. We also play a track from his new band's new album. That'd be Fur Trade with the song Kids These Days. His other band, Mounties, provides the brief intro: Headphones. No track from his third/first band Hot Hot Heat, though. It's not a rock 'n' roll show, kids. Take what you're given and be happy with it.

In case you've forgotten the drill, just click below to start streaming the episode. Or, if you'd rather, go on over to iTunes or CastRoller or Player.FM or... you get the idea... and download it for convenient listening later. That works, too.

Aug. 4: Steve Bays

Steve Bays of Hot Hot Heat

Our summer hiatus is over! After a guest-less July, we're back bigger and better than ever. For tonight anyway. After that, we're taking another break until September as I go away and trusty manservant takes over the controls.

Steve Bays
of Fur Trade

But tonight, if we remember how, we'll talk to old pal Steve Bays, which will mark his third solo appearance on the show. Last year, if memory serves, was an extend-o episode that ran nearly two hours (it was edited down slightly for the podcast). We'll see what happens tonight. We've got lots to talk about with the release of new recordings from his three bands: Hot Hot Heat, Fur Trade, and the Mounties (or is it just Mounties? we'll find out tonight, I guess). Can't this man stick with one band? Maybe we'll brainstorm some ideas for future band names. He's also a big comedy fan so we'll see what he's been listening to and watching lately.

Steve Bays, right, of Mounties

As I sit here at the Hillcrest Community Centre electronically scribbling this blog post, the concession blasts a familiar voice through the speakers, although it's a song I haven't heard before. I ask the nice Russian lady if she knows who's playing. She glances down and responds, "Yes, it's Hot Hot Heat." Kismet, baby.

The show gets started at 11pm(ish) on CFRO, 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Outside the city? No worries. We've got you covered. Livestream the show at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 291ish: Steve Bays

Rocker Steve Bays joined us last week for his third appearance on What's So Funny? I'm thinking maybe we should tally another episode in his favour and make it four appearances since we talked for 2 hours. Don't worry, though, I've edited the podcast version down to a very listenable 1 hour and 45 minutes. In it, we talked about whether humour belongs in music, his love of Christmas lights and music, the lessons of M*A*S*H, taking it in the ass, hiring friends over professionals, being ripped off by Russian pop stars, Chinese karaoke, and we conclude with a round of Defending Your iPod.

So go ahead and listen. What are you waiting for? If you feel you can go the distance in one sitting, click below. If you're like most normal people and listen to your podcasts in segments, then go download it at iTunes (or other podcast recepticals).

Sept. 23: Steve Bays

As you know, our home station, CFRO, recently switched frequencies to 100.5 FM, while the Peak (home of "world class rock") moves to our old frequency. So as part of our new mandate, we need to fill our rock star quota. With that in mind, Steve Bays, of Hot Hot Heat and Fur Trade fame, joins us as our first in-studio guest since the change-over.

Okay, so it's not really a mandate. But we still like to have his Bayness drop by. Not only is he a killer musician but he's a comedy superfan with loads of opinions on performance. The last time I ran into him was at a Talent Time show a few months back and we got a good discussion going. When intermission ended, I told him we'd have to continue it on air sometime. So this is the time. Now I just have to wrack my brain figuring out what we talked about. Hope he remembers.

So tune in Sunday night from 11 to midnight at 100.5 FM. And you can always livestream it at coopradio.org if that's how you roll.

Talk show hosts – Steve Bays

When Hot Hot Heat's Steve Bays made his first visit to What's So Funny? last year, I got him to rank the late night American talk shows in order of fun, since he's done all the biggies. He gave us a little rundown of how the hosts operate. Here's that snippet for you set to photos. If you enjoy this taste of What's So Funny?, you might like the whole show. The catalogue is available over at iTunes and at comedycouch.com.

Podcast episode 227ish: Steve Bays

This episode was a lot of fun. Partly because it's a bit of a departure for us with a guest outside the world of comedy. And partly because rocker Steve Bays, the lead singer of Hot Hot Heat, is, like many musicians, pretty damn funny in his own right. He's also a huge comedy fan. So it worked on many levels. Steve tells us who he thinks the funniest musician is, reveals which of the late-night American talk shows his band has been on was the most fun, and we find out Steve and I were neighbours back in our home towns of Victoria. Maybe not at the same time, but we lived in the same 'hood. So have a listen. I think you'll enjoy it. I got a bit creative with the editing, but what the hell.

Livestream the episode right here right now or download it at iTunes for listening at your leisure on an MP3 device of your choosing. You have options.

Apr. 10: The Comedy Round-Table Reconvenes

It's been a while since we did a Comedy Round-Table. So when Dino Archie cancelled for the second time in about a month, I decided to reconvene it. And all four corners of the round table will be represented with four quality panelists: What's So Funny? first-timer Chuck Byrn, last week's guest Steve Bays, new Haligonian Dylan Rhymer, and the pneunomic (but not contagious, he assures me) Toby Hargrave.

(Photos, from left: Chuck Byrn, Steve Bays, Dylan Rhymer, Toby Hargrave)

What's on the agenda, you ask? We'll discuss as many of the following topics as time will allow: the notion of Vancouver as No Fun City, superstitions and rituals, over-rated comedy legends and under-rated hacks, comedy as entertainment vs art, and favourite comedy podcasts.

It should be a rollicking good time. I'll be there; will you? Tune in tonight at 11.

Apr. 3: Steve Bays

Over the past six years, we've had a lot of comics on What's So Funny? with some big-time credits. And, yes, plenty with small-time. And a few with no credits. We love them all. But this week's guest has been on Letterman, Conan, Kimmel and Leno. In fact, our old friend David Cross has opened for him in New York City.

But he's not a comic. Go figure.

Our guest is hot, hot rock-n-roll star Steve Bays, lead singer of Hot Hot Heat. Say what? What does he have to do with comedy, you ask? Well, he's as big a fan of comedy as anyone. In fact, I like to refer to him as the Jon Hamm of Canada. You see, the Mad Men star is also a funny heart throb who frequents comedy gigs, befriends comedians and shows up on all sorts of comedy podcasts south of the border. My homeboy Steverino has been on the ridiculously popular Adam Carolla Podcast and twice on our pals Graham Clark and Dave Shumka's Stop Podcasting Yourself. So it's only fitting he makes his What's So Funny? debut to talk about what exactly the relationship between music and comedy is and why he can't seem to get enough of the yuks.

I remember the first time I met young Steven Bays. My wife and I were in line after a Weird Al Yankovic show a couple years ago waiting to meet-and-greet the weird one. Up comes Paul Anthony, three-time guest of WSF?, with a curly-haired buddy in tow. Paul introduces the punk kid to us. At some point, said punk kid is digging through his backpack and Anthony says his buddy wants to give Weird Al a copy of his band's CD. Yeah, he's in a band. Figures. Who isn't?, I thought. When he digs the CD out, I notice it says Hot Hot Heat on the cover. Putting two and two together, I asked if he was in the band (I'm quick like that). He shyly replied that he was. Hey, I know that band! I even have them on my iPod. Surprising for an old fart, tis true, but I'm old school – I had never actually seen the band before; only heard them. So I took his word for it.

When I got home, I Googled the band to see what his role was. For all I knew, he was the guy who tunes the guitars. But I found this video and learned he was front and centre. And what a friggin' great video it is, too. It's a few years old by now, but if you haven't seen it, take a look. Great song, great look. You'll be singing it for days, guaranteed:

Okay, so not comedy. I know. Don't worry, I won't be doing my Erica Ehm impression (like my hip, contemporary references?) asking him questions about the band. This is still a show about comedy. I think it'll be a refreshing change and am looking forward to it.

So tune in at 11 pm PST on CFRO, 102.7 FM or livestream the show at coopradio.org. If you miss it, don't worry. In a week or so, it'll be available in the popular podcast format. I'll let you know right here when it drops, as they say in the podcasting biz.