Steve-O Stand-Up Comedy Tour this January

Steve-O, star of MTV’s reality show Jackass, is visiting Hawaii in January for his stand-up tour “Too Much Information,” with several local comedians opening each night. We chatted with Steve-O via email and opener James Mane over the phone.

Q: How did you make the move from comedic stunts to stand-up comedy?

Steve-O: The first time I tried stand-up, it was something I considered a stupid thing for me to do, which I was terrified of trying. Someone asked me to do a crazy stunt in a comedy club, and when I got there I couldn’t think of anything crazier than trying stand up, so I did. That was in 2006. I dabbled in it for a few years, and now I’ve been on tour non-stop for over a year. I do stunts at every show, as well as stand-up.

Q: Can you remember your first stunt?

Steve-O: My parents told me about a bunch of wild stuff I did as a baby, like crawling out of a 12th floor window. As soon as I had baby teeth I knocked them out doing something or other.

Q: Are you ever afraid to perform new stunts?

Steve-O: I’ve always been afraid to try new stunts. Actually, I think a good definition for the word “stunt” would be, “something stupid that you’re scared to try, but you go through with anyway.”

Q: Does your family worry about you?

Steve-O: As long as I don’t tell them any of my plans until after I’ve survived them, it’s all good.

Sharing the stage on Kauai and Maui will be Ed Kaahea, of the 70s Hawaiian Booga Booga comedy group, and Chino LaForge. Kaahea and LaForge will be joined by Kaleo Pilanca on the Big Island. Honolulu’s show will be hosted by Michael C. Hall, and will open with Pilanca, Jose Dynamite (opening act for Augie T.) and James Mane.
 

Q: How were you selected to perform with Steve-O?

James Mane: I haven’t met Steve-O before, but I’ve seen him on Jackass and The Roast. I’ve made a name for myself out here in Honolulu, and I guess the promoter was looking for local comedians and my name came up.

Q: Comedyhawaii.com says you knew you wanted to do comedy after seeing the movie Airplane?

James Mane: Growing up, we were the one family that had HBO in the house. I memorized the movie and I just found it so funny how they trick you. That’s how it is with my comedy, you think a joke is gonna go one way, but then I throw you for a loop and go this way.

Q: When did you start performing?

James Mane: It was May 1, 2009 at Fisherman’s Wharf. I did my first four-and-a-half minutes; I was supposed to do five but I was very, very nervous. I told my first joke and got a laugh, and it shocked me so much I forgot my material. [Driving home] I was like, “I did it!” and the adrenaline rush jumped on me. I was screaming in my car with the windows up.

Q: What is your style of humor?

James Mane: I’ve been told I’m observational and situational. I’m pretty diverse . . . My parents grew up traditional Samoan style; I grew up local boy and went to college in the Midwest. A lot of my jokes come from being a giant Samoan, driving a city bus and raising a daughter by myself. She’s eight years old, she wants to be a little princess, and the way I raise her is like my coaches taught me. One day she’s gonna say, “Dad, I’ve got cramps,” and I’ll tell her, “I don’t know, stretch it out? Drink some Gatorade?”

Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., 21 and up, Hawaiian Brian’s Showroom, 1680 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu.

Friday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m., 21 and up, Kuhio Lounge, 3-5920 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, Kauai.

Saturday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m., 21 and up, Ocean’s Beach Bar, 1819 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, Maui.

Sunday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m., 17 and up, Palace Theatre, 38 Haili St., Hilo, Big Island.

All tickets are $35 and are sold at groovetickets.com. Call 250-478-1888 or visit hightideconcerts.net for more information.