My perfect weekend: Steve Hughes

It seems from a lot of these questions you seem to think that perhaps I am a normal person with normal routines and activities. For the past 15 years I have basically been performing comedy. I get the odd night off to see a band or just do nothing but my weekends are spent on stages in clubs in different cities and countries. So to answer your question: What's on my mind on a Friday afternoon? Comedy.

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at weekends?

If I'm performing in London my girlfriend may have the pleasure of my company. I guess many people may think that it's a barrel of laughs hanging out with a comedian. However, in the true sense of fulfilling stereotypes of the tragic-clown-harbouring-demons, my company may not always be regarded as a pleasure.

How do you prepare for a big night out?

I've usually found that the biggest nights out are completely unprepared, when you have no plans whatsoever and it all just falls into place. You meet the right people, go to the right places and it's all just totally cool. Being unprepared is the best preparation you can do.

What is your favourite party outfit?

I don't have a favourite party outfit, I've never really needed an outfit to party I'm a come-as-I-am kinda guy.

You get to the bar what's your first drink?

Well that all depends on which bar or which country I'm in. In a tribute to Ireland being the first country I ever did comedy in outside of Australia I will always have a Guinness first and make sure I neck half of it in one go, so that it kicks in.

What's your most memorable weekend ever?

I've had many a memorable weekend and some extremely good ones that I can't remember at all. But in 1987 when I was still playing drums in Slaughter Lord we did our first ever shows outside of NSW and headed to Melbourne with the only other thrash band in Australia at the time Mortal Sin. Along with a load of our mates we laid waste to the miles and miles of endless highway to play two explosive shows in front of manic raging old school metal crowds. We had the time of our lives.

Your recipe for the perfect night in?

I have no secret recipe for the perfect night in. Either with company or without, I have no problem entertaining myself alone as long as there is good food and a film. I can sit with my guitar and noodle away all night completely at ease with the world.

Favourite DVD and what would you eat while watching it?

Are you sure anybody is interested in knowing what an angry, opinionated heavy metal drumming comedian eats while watching DVDs? And when it comes to watching DVDs, I am like most people at the moment and could easily have Breaking Bad consume an entire weekend. I've been eating a lot of bananas recently as I never eat enough and need to put on weight.

Sunday breakfast cooked or continental?

A cooked breakfast is a rarity on a Sunday or any other day but I think I would prefer a continental breakfast anyway. I like the way the Europeans have cucumbers and boiled eggs and salami all piled on to a plate to be picked away at with your fingers.

Sunday lunch: Home cooked or pub?

Either works for me depending on the cook or the pub. As long as there is Yorkshire pudding, extra gravy and the potatoes are crispier than burnt toast then I'm in.

Where and how do you like to relax?

At home is the best place because my guitar is there. I could relax for days just strumming along to Rush songs.

Have you got an unusual pursuit or favourite hobby?

Music is one of my biggest pursuits although I wouldn't class it as a hobby as it is way more than that. I have recently taken to going to the gym. The time restraints of always being of the road make any kind of routine a little hard. But nothing is worth it if it's easy, well that's what they say, to tell you the truth as I get older I'm thinking 'just make it easy, would you'.

You have the weekend off and a wad of cash what country or city do you head for?

Nowhere. My life seems exciting to some people but the sad fact is it gets a little boring going somewhere different all the time. If I have a weekend off then the last thing I'm going to do is head to an airport.

* Direct from sell-out shows at the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand Comedy Festivals, Aussie comic and ex-heavy-metal drummer Steve Hughes is returning to UK shores for his second solo tour. His new show called 'While It's Still Legal' will showcase his cutting philosophical wit.

It will be calling at The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton on September 5, Birmingham's Glee Club on October 23 and Warwick Arts Centre on November 17.