Meet a SICC28 Semi-Finalist: Marcus

Now that we know who has moved on from Preliminary Week Two into the semi-finals, we'd better start giving some of them some love as well...so, once again, it's time to get to know another one of this year's Seattle International Comedy Competition Semi-Finalists.

The reports from Seattle-based comedians returning home from the last two Rocky Mountain Laff Offs was crystal clear--there was a performer in Utah who was as strong as hell. He was calling himself "Man of 1000 Voices" and audiences in that competition loved him. He nearly won in his first year in the competition (the eventual winner THAT year was Andy Peters) and he DID win the competition THIS year. Still, he seemed to be a regional phenomena--until he grabbed the chance to enter the SICC. Since then, he's only headlined a weekend at Giggles, he placed in the top 5 every night of Preliminary Week Two, he took first place at the New Everett Theater AND he ended the week locked into the top position for the week. And like Madonna, Liberace and Seal, he doesn't even need a last name. His name is simply...Marcus.


SeattleComedy.net's "Interview by E-Mail"
w/Marcus

--background--
How old are you?
30

What is your hometown?
Salt Lake City, Utah

Did you start doing comedy there?
Yes.

When did you start doing comedy?
A couple of years now.

Is comedy your full time job?
Yes.

What did you do before you started doing comedy full time?
I have always been into performing. In 2000, I went to a school in Texas for the WWF and did professional wrestling for about 2 years. After that, I fronted a band for about 3 years, released a couple local albums, it was cool. The band got me connections in radio which got me really focused on voicework. After meeting quite a few comics while doing radio, it was kind of just a natural progression onto the stage.

Tell us about your first comedy performance?
A fellow comic introduced me to the owner of our local comedy club, Wiseguy's, in early 2006 and he offered me 5 minutes. After that, I have been on a comedy stage ever since.

--inspirations--
What are your first memories of stand-up comedy?
I have always loved comedy. My dad gave me his old vinyl Cosby albums when I was about 8. I remember as a kid, I used to sneak my radio into my bed and listen to the Dr. Demento show in my bed. Eddie Murphy's "Delirious" changed my life.

What made you decide to try it yourself?
I have always kind of done what I do, voices and what not, but I never really thought anyone would want to see me do it as a job. It was just something I did, you know. After doing it for the first time in front of an audience, I was kind of pissed that I didn't get around to doing it earlier. I can't imagine doing anything else now. Hopefully, I can make a go of this, competitions, clubs, birthday parties, whatever it takes to perform!

Who inspired you to become the kind of comedian you are?
Whew, there are so many comedians that I have watched and respect... Rich Little as far as voices go, he's the king. Murphy was so fierce, his on stage confidence was big for me. Cosby's ability to make you relate to everything he said whether it had happened to you or not, genius. Weird Al Yankovic, childhood favorite, grown-up guilty pleasure, loved his sense of parody.

And, who inspires you today?
I am really impressed by the guys I have worked with in the past year, the young guys like me, who are hungry and ready for the world to pay attention. I think that these are the guys who inspire me, the guys who are the new voices and are just waiting in the wings to change comedy.

Beyond comedy, what else interests you?
I love music and movies. I have like 18,000 songs on my laptop, all different kinds. Musicians and song writers are amazing to me. I am also a huge movie buff. Love watching movies. Cheesy horror to tear-jerking foriegn, bring 'em on!

And, do those interests inform your comedy?
Sure they do.

How so?
Like most comics, I like talking about what interests me, so that's why most of my show is about pop culture; movies, music, actors, singers, etc.

Is stand-up comedy your ultimate career goal?
I love doing stand-up, love it, I will always enjoy that feeling of performing live. I would love for stand-up to always be in my life.

I would also like to establish myself in the voice-over industry. I think that guys that are famous for creating iconic voices, guys like Mel Blanc, are amazing. I would love to do that.

At the peak of your career, if everything goes the way you want, what are you doing?

Hopefully making enough money to get by doing what I love. Fingers crossed!

--this competition--
How was your preliminary week experience?
What an amazing week! Every single comic, every single show, was incredible! To be able to be among these guys was a privilege and made me want to work harder and try to be better.

Also, I have made some great new friends, it's awesome.

What do you know now that you didn't know before the competition started?
That people in Washington think I'm funny. I always worry that I am just funny at home.

And, knowing what you know now, would you still have entered the competition? Hell yeah! I am so glad that I joined, this has been incredible.

What do you think will be the key to your moving on to the finals?
Who knows? I am thrilled to move on to the Semi's, let alone the finals. I think that every comic in the semi's is even money. They are all amazing talented comics, it's really anybody's game.

How do you think this competition will impact your comedy and your comedy career?
I am hoping that it helps me get my name out there. I am still fairly new to the comedy game and doing well in this competition might help people, fans, club owners, industry people, pay attention.

Who has impressed you in this year's competition?
Wow, who didn't impress me? (Andy) Peters is hilarious, makes me work harder. Randy (Liedtke) is one of the naturally funniest people I have ever met. (Tony) Boswell is a killer, great writer. (Brian) Dowell, funny as hell. (Kevin) Richards is incredible. Derek (Sheen) is a fearless madman. Renfroe, DT, Martha, Allyson, McClure, Greenberg, amazing. I have such respect for every single performer, they all deserve to move on to the semis.

What's are some of your favorite moments from this year's competition so far?
Taking first in The Everett Theatre. Amazing venue, amazing crowd, amazing night!

And the worst moment?
Having to say goodbye to 11 of the week one comics. It will be weird not being with them every night. Looking forward to meeting the Top 5 from last week, but it will be hard to say goodbye to some new friends.

--the final question--
Why should someone come see you perform your comedy in the semi-finals of this competition?
Where else are you going to catch such an incredible line-up of amazing comics? You are going to be able to see 10 very different, very unique, very talented comics give their all on stage every single night! Plus, if you come out now then when we all get TV development deals next year, you can be one of the people who get to say, "HEY! I saw that guy in a small club in Puyallup!"