Arj Barker is a very busy man. Due in part to his tendency to wear Spandex, he is practically a superhero.
It has been said that when he's not appearing as a correspondent on Comedy Central's Battlebots, or flying across the world to deliver punch lines to the masses, he's training eagles on his roof or slaving away in his underground workshop making bedside reading lamps.
So, we the citizens of Tempe will be more than lucky to be graced by his presence when he takes time out of his busy schedule to appear this weekend at the Improv.
Also, if all goes as planned, at some point in the midst of these next four days, Barker will give the performance of a lifetime. In the meantime, State Press Magazine had a few questions for the man, the myth and the legend, Arj Barker, Spandex Warrior.
SPM: Have you ever been to Tempe before?
Barker: Yeah, I came here a few years back I went to a bar that had a volleyball court. And let me tell you, I've been practicing. This time I'll be wearing my Spandex with shorts over it and I'm going to spike somebody's ass.
SPM: So, you're a fan of the Spandex?
Barker: I am a Spandex warrior. It makes me feel more active. Spandex and Xanax, that's how I get by.
SPM: If you can't be in Tempe, what is your favorite place to perform?
Barker: I love Australia. I'll go there just for the weekend to do some shows, that's how much I love it. I would just jump on a plane or in a boat. If I had to I would make my own path complete with snack bars just so I could Rollerblade there.
SPM: Aside from the Spandex, what is Arj Barker all about?
Barker: I'm all about having projects. I have a rap band, my own cartoon, I study acting and standup, I teach small orphan children art projects, I raise hawks, no wait...eagles, on my roof. I play Flamenco guitar on the weekends in Spain, and I also have my own line of bedside reading lamps.
SPM: How much of that was actually true?
Barker: Well, the rap band is real. It's called the Sanchez Brothers. Our single, "Appleflap Rap," is on my Web site, and so is the cartoon, The Arj and Poopy Show, which just won first place in the Melbourne International cartoon festival. All of the other stuff after that is comedic irony.
SPM: I took a look at the Web site and a lot of the stuff on there is kind of old.
Barker: Is this a criticism session or an interview? I've had enough of your finger pointing!
SPM: It's constructive criticism. I wouldn't be interviewing you if I didn't think you were funny. I think you have a great act.
Barker: Well, I like you too. I've heard amazing things about your writing. Word on the street is, in order to get anywhere in this town, you've got to get into the Joy column.
SPM: Thanks. You're right; you should be famous any day now.
Barker: Americans will be seeing me in their living rooms very soon. I won't be on the television though, I'll just be breaking into people's houses.
SPM: You've performed all over the world for thousands of different people, what do you think was your best show?
Barker: Well, for overall fun-ness and excitement, I'd say it was being on Letterman. I was like, 'wow I can't fucking believe this.' It was a trip to be up there and hear Paul Schafer laughing behind me.
SPM: Well, what about in terms quality and comedic greatness?
Barker: I have this weird feeling, but don't quote me on this or anything, I really think my greatest show to date will be...when am I going to be in Tempe again?
SPM: April 4th through the 7th.
Barker: Oh, yes, my feeling is that my greatest show ever will definitely be somewhere in between those dates that you just said. And also, do quote me on that.
SPM: What other comedians do you look to for inspiration?
Barker: As far as I'm concerned, other comedians don't exist.
SPM: That's kind of sad, don't you think?
Barker: Not really. If I don't acknowledge other comedians then that automatically makes me the best in the world. But I guess if I had to choose, Mitch Hedburg and Pablo Francisco are great.
SPM: What kind of movies do you like?
Barker: Jay and Silent Bob was very funny. Zoolander fucking sucked ass. That's just a sample of two movies I saw last week. So if someone is reading the Joy column and they really like Zoolander, then they shouldn't come to my show. In fact, I hope they don't come to my show because I'll kick their ass if I see them there. I'll be waiting in my Spandex.
Reach Joy Hepp at joy.hepp@asu.edu
