Beardyman - Human Beatboxer Interview

June 2008

Interview with human beatboxer and twice in a row UK Beatbox Championships winner, Beardyman.

Beardyman

How old are you?

None of your business.

How did you get into beatboxing?

The great mountain gorillas of Azerbaijan taught me the way of the breath drum.

How often do you practice?

Never.

You were the first UK beatboxer to win two UK Beatbox Championships in a row, how did that feel?

It felt like being slapped with a wet fish made of success.

Which other beatboxers out there do you admire?

None, they are all rubbish. The lyre bird is my only competition, it is awesome.

I saw you perform at Boxcon '08 with the Korg Kaoss Pad, how did you discover that piece of equipment and decide to use it in your performances?

It was lying in a dustbin in Stevenage… I was there on holiday.

Do you use any other equipment in your live shows?

I use a broom stick and a fake moustache.

Do people often try to argue with you that when you are using equipment you aren't really beatboxing anymore?

Yes… but they're wankers. And they're missing the point.

You often incorporate some element of humour into your acts, does humour play important part in your shows?

No, I hate humour. If there's one thing I would change about the world its that there's too much funny shit in it… I want there to be less funny shit. You know… like shit that makes you laugh… I hate that shit.

Your YouTube video "Kitchen Diaries" has been viewed almost 3 million times now, how do you feel about being some what of a cult figure in the beatbox scene?

It feels like being slapped around the face with a wet fish made of fish.

"Kitchen Diaries" - Beardyman

In 2007 you appeared on the BBC One show "When Will I Be Famous", how was that experience?

It was rubbish, they tried to choreograph dance moves for me… but I won and was totally motionless throughout. "IIII SHAAAALL, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED" etc. .

Do you often travel abroad to showcase your skills? If so do you have any tales of any adventures you may have had along the way?

I have visited many countries and seen many things. I have many stories but you must ingest inebriates with me to hear of them for they are many in number and capacious in scope and breadth.

Do you have a favourite event of all time that you have performed at?

Bestival dressed as a monkey.

Which artists have you worked with in your time?

Toured and recorded with Groove Armada, collaborated live with Fatboy Slim… he's a geezar. Doing tracks with A-Skills, The Quemists, Ashley Beadle, etc, etc, etc.

Which artists would you most like to work with in the future?