M A L A B O L G I A

    At long last Obsidian's Jason Campbell has agreed to chat! Distracting the public with an abundance of live shows, they've secretly been working on a new album. Giggling like teenagers we talk about the band's multinational origins, Jason's start in music and inability to walk away from the back end of things, as well as the distant future playing the casino circuit. DK: How long have you been with Obsidian? JC: Four years this September. We got our first lead guitar player shortly after we formed. It would have been       less than a year after that when he left to go back to school. Daniel came into the band and we haven't       looked back since. He's been in the band for about three years. The "original guitarist" didn't play on any       of the records. He didn't write any of the music so he sort of existed, but he didn't. DK: (laughs) He was a dream. JC: (laughs) Yeah, he was more of a vapour. (laughs) DK:...

    Over the last four years Mark Hughes has come a long way in comedy. At the moment Hughes is half the driving force behind the ever-expanding Comedy Shocker series. Starting as a novelty and growing with every show it's quickly become a staple in the Vancouver comedy scene. Every show has a fun new lineup of dirty people with the kind of jokes that'll make a sailor blush. From show to show the topics change as consistently as the line-up and, while everyone in the audience will certainly have an idea of what they hope to see, there will always be something unexpected in store. Between organizing the Comedy Shocker, and spending an unfathomable amount of time on stage, Hughes was able to find some time to chat about the path of a dirty comic. Following the rocky road of learning how read an audience and sell a joke, Hughes talks candidly about the ups and downs that define his path as a comedian. DK: Hi Mark, it's good to see you again. So, you're one of the ...

    Fresh off the tarmac after Winnipeg Fringe Fest I had a chance to chat with Vancouver comedian Mark Hughes about some upcoming events. Right around the corner is the  Victoria Fringe Fest  which will offer a chance to see his solo show  Tragedy + Time Served = Comedy . For show times and ticket info click  here . Based on true life events, Hughes makes light of addiction and spending too much time in jail. If you're easily offended save yourself the aspirin and stay home. Dark subject matter is perfect fodder for comedy, especially for someone whose lived it. After all, if you can't laugh at your own pitfalls life isn't worth living.     Hughes is co-creator of the Comedy Shocker series which will be seeing it's fourteenth show this October and featuring a lineup of filth that is surely not for the squeamish. For up-to-date information check in on their Facebook page  here  or follow along on  Twitter  for the kind of...