Controversial US comidian DOUG STANHOPE was interviewed by TNT Magazine the other day and you can now read that interview online. We’ve selected some extracts from the interview, which you can see below:

Why’s your new DVD titled Before Turning The Gun On Himself?

It’s just a cool fucking title. It came from two album titles ago when I wanted to use it, but then there was the huge Virginia Tech shooting, where the guy turned the gun on himself. The record company didn’t want to use that title cos they were afraid that it wasn’t going to get in to box [chain] stores. So I pocketed the title and went with a different record company who let me do what the fuck I want!

Who were your comedy influences?

The guy who made me write my own jokes was Andrew Dice Clay. Not real deep, but the comedy scene was so benign and ‘Jerry Seinfeld’ when Andrew came out. He was raw and filthy and unapologetic. I was a 22-year-old kid and in the perfect state of mind for that.

Comedy is far more mainstream now – how does that make you feel?

It’s a much better way to go if you want to make some money, but I wouldn’t be able to temper it and do shit that got me on TV. If I wanted to sell out I wouldn’t know how to do it.

You did some TV for Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe, though…

Yeah, I don’t know how it came together, whether they found me or my manager found them. I did Screenwipe, which was filmed at the Soho Theatre and then Newswipe – most of that was filmed at my house in Arizona.

Read the full interview on TNT Magazine’s website by clicking here.

Click here to find dates and tickets for Doug’s current UK tour.

Point your mouse in this direction to pick up a copy of DOUG STANHOPE’s latest DVD ‘Before Turning The Gun On Himself’.