Fringe Q&As: Damien Slash on Louis CK, Nandos and being a fake rock star

Damien Slash: Übermen is a one man character comedy show. My six best characters all have something to give and something to say. All the characters have a shared fragility they fail to contain. In this regard, these cocky, stupid, stubborn, pretensious men I play are also a funny take on my own personal guises. These characters include a Mineral Water Critic, a Mythical Shaman, a “corporate creative’’, a Hardcore Gamer, a Garage MC turned literary critic, a Gambling Addict and a few more little treats.

How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?

Taking an hour long show to the Fringe feels terrifying and exciting at the same time. I’ve been visiting shows here since I was 18 and wondering in awe at how cool and thrilling it must be to occupy your own corner of such a utopian event. More than anything it is a humbling experience and one that reminds you to respect everyone for what they bring to the fringe, because it demands courage to stand infront of people you don’t know for an hour, waving your limbs around and making silly noises in a desparate attempt to feel alive. Some people achieve the same sensations by jumping out of a biplane or skiing down a hill. As performers we get that kick from bungee jumping, metaphorically speaking, off the lofty cliffs of our own egos into the dark seas of social judgement.

Best live act seen at Fringe?

The best thing I’ve ever seen at the fringe was Louis CK, at the Pleasence Courtyard in 2008. It was the kind of laughing that feels like an out-of-body experience or electroshock therapy. Louis CK wasn’t that well known at the time but his honesty and spirit was mind blowing.

Best thing about the Fringe?

The best thing about the fringe is fact that it repeats for so many days in a row like an endless groundhog day of fun and fear and fratenizing. If you mess up, you can just start over, reborn anew.

Worst thing about the Fringe?

With Nandos being the only source of ‘’salad’’, sticking to your paleo diet quickly becomes a chore.

If you were not a performer/comedian what would you be doing?

I’d probably have a beautiful family and be half way to paying off a mortgage. Every year we’d travel to a different country together and absorb everything this life has to offer. My children would be tanned and athletic but also extremely talented in the arts. My equally attractive wife would be complicit in the grooming of these demi-gods to become the performers we always dreamed of becoming.

What does your family think of your show?

My Mum likes the show. She’s given a lot of feedback, some of which has actually shaped the show quite significantly. It was simply a matter of considering what she was putting forward for a second instead of leaping into a scouling rage when she was ‘’only trying to be constructive’’. My sister knows it inside out as she is my tech.

How do you combat pre-gig nerves?

Smoking, drinking or abstaining from all intimate relations for at least 72 hours before. Sometimes prayer. Anything going really, anything to take away the horror.

Worst on stage experience?

That would be when I was in a band, performing in front of 400 French people as the headline act. We were miming all the instruments (because we couldn’t play them). Half way through the big track I accidentally killed the recording by pressing the wrong button. We were standing there bashing keys to nothing like a bunch of fools for a good five seconds. That was deep. Some of the nerds at the back could tell we were faking the whole thing but we needed the money so I regret nothing.

How do you recover from a hefty heckle? Do you have a set of stock replies?

If people heckle my characters they get a response from my characters. I once introduced the band Spector as one of my characters. There were 1,200 people in the audience. They thourght the character I was playing was real. I came on stage just when everyone was expecting the band to come on. I was simultaneously heckeled by all 1,200 people. Most of them chanting F**k off. This was all planned but it was still extremely tough to get through.

What do you love about Scotland?

I like the attitude and values of the Scottish people. Scotland understands fairness and rejects austerity and aggressive cuts to public services. For a Londoner, this is refreshing. I’ve always been glad that we have Scotland as a stronghold of liberal values and freedom. When London finally completes in transformation into an Olligarchs ‘Welcome Break’, Scotland is where I will be coming.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

The buildings and the bridges and the landscape. It’s intoxicating and beautiful. The way everything seems to be hanging over the side of a cliff. The gothic classiness of it all. I also love that smell of hopps that lingers in the air and the taxi drivers.

What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?

Climbed Aurthers Seat in a thunder storm wearing shorts and t-shirt whislt eating a Scotch Duck Egg.

Who’s your favourite Scottish comedian?

Susan Calman

Favourite joke?

I’ve always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.’’ George Carlin

Damien Slash will perform at the Pleasance Courtyard on August 19-30.