David Bass: Creator of "Heavy Metal Farmer" - the Interview

For those of you not familiar with his name, David Bass is the mind behind not only "Heavy Metal Farmer", but also a host of other YouTube videos that have many in stitches from laughter at his skillful mastery of dry, British humor.

Not only is David Bass addictingly funny, he's also an amazing humanitarian. It's just been confirmed that he's to be presenting a documentary in March of 2010, via the BBC, that covers installation of a fresh water drinking supply in a small African village. Enough can't be said about the problems so many in the world face, when it comes to clean drinking water. Many of us just take it for granted. Great job there David Bass!

The comedy of David Bass may not be for everyone, but, he's a rising star, and I'm so proud to bring you - David Bass:

DP The first thing my readers are going to want to know is a little about you. Please tell us all a little about "David Bass" from the personal side. Where's your hometown? How old are you? Is there anything you want to share in particular?

David Bass: Well, er, hello - my name is David Bass and I make some things for people to watch on the internet, who seem to like to watch them. I reside on YouTube under a rather camp screen name 'Daveyboyz' (which has been named as a 'less-than-regular' title by several right-wing newspapers). It's too late to change it now, but originally I just used it as an account on YouTube that I would look at censored videos with (you need an account to get to the good stuff, so they know you're over 18).

Anyway I'm just an average guy, slender but with a slight hint of a beer belly (I say slight... I look pregnant), enjoying everything life throws my way. I'm 22 years old and live in a town just north of London, UK.

DP Well you're building quite a following on this side of the pond...and at such a young age! Did you always know you were going to be in comedy? If so, how old were you when you first realized it? And...why comedy? Why not the priesthood? Or being a contractor?

David Bass: I always felt a spark of energy and satisfaction when making people laugh, right the way from age 6 at school. Myself and a friend called Edward Frizzelle (now appears in some comedy videos of mine on YouTube - 17 years later!) often acted as a 'tag-team' of entertainment to the little sniveling boys and girls in our class. They all seemed to love it anyway.

Priesthood?? Contractor?? Well funnily enough I do actually get to be these different characters in different sketches. That's the beauty of it, you can be whoever you want to be in this line of work!

DP It seems all of the great ones knew very young what they wanted. On your journey into the field of entertainment, there were struggles, I'm sure. What was the worst job you ever had to take to keep the bills paid?

David Bass: Interesting question! Although I would probably say that every job I did before this was awful. I have trouble bowing down to someone who claims they are the 'boss' of me. The only bosses in my life are God and my mum.

DP Oh! I can appreciate and respect that! Speaking of the struggle in the pursuit of your dream, has there ever been a time when David Bass was tempted to give up? Would you please share it with us?

David Bass: I won't lie, there have been harder times in pursuit of this dream. Not hard in the sense of bullying or anything half as bad as that, but just in friends slight attitude changes. I assumed everyone would be really happy for me, but it turned out that wasn't the case at all. There's a divide in attitudes I've found. One half of people think its fantastic and are really happy for you, the other... well, they're probably jealous but they just turn a cold shoulder.

DP Let's hope those jealous friends come to learn what you've had to, right? Obviously you overcame the struggle. Now that you're near the top, what's it like being famous? What could it be compared to, for a person who might never experience fame?

David Bass: Famous is an interesting word. I guess well-known is more applicable to me at the moment. I'm under no illusion that I'm a big shot yet, but I also appreciate that I have had a lot of exposure and growing support over the past year, to which I am ever-thankful for.

Being well-known is certainly something that takes a while to get used to. I'd say I've reached a plateaux in the sense that I'm comfortable with all the random messages... some more weird than others. Like someone telling you if you don't talk to them they'll kill themselves... Yep.

But other than that it's just brilliant to know that you have a lot of people out there who enjoy you and route for content that you are creating! Amazing feeling! Currently I get 30,000 views per day on my biggest video ("Heavy Metal Farmer") and that's great and has become a normal every day thought. But when I really sit and think about this... 30,000 is a heck of a lot of people... half a stadium full... PER DAY!??? That really makes me both proud and nervous.

DP Handling Facebook stalkers can be a challenge. You have my sympathy there, sir. You should be proud as well. Several of us online have become fans of yours due to your talent with comedy that just seems "natural." What's the secret behind being so amusing and entertaining?

David Bass: Nerves! Haha I'm not even joking! When interviewing celebrities especially, the only way I can cope with the whole nerve-racking charade is to put on this front. And that "calming" attitude I can adopt makes me believe that everything is alright. Strange process. Kinda like a cat - it purrs to make itself feel less scared.

DP You make it look so easy. Now, as for a "sneak peek" for those of us in your fan base, what might we be looking forward to from David Bass, in the coming year? Books? Movies? TV?

David Bass: A book? I've always wanted a biography - I've had such a nightmare of a life, but all the nightmares seem to turn into good anecdotes. But failing that beauty of a read, I have high hopes this year of working with some content for BBC comedy, I've got my own pilot sketch show ready to pitch for TV and I seem to have landed a deal with someone (can't say yet) which will see me interview some of the big names in music at some point! So, very exciting!

DP I know I'll be keeping an eye on the BBC. As an entertainer, and as just a man, if you could really, truly have just one wish, what would it be?

David Bass: I'm actually quite a sucker for romance, so I would love to find someone who would exchange glances with me in a coffee bar and then whisk me off to Paris for a lovely life of champagne and love making. Ohhh the dream. Failing that, my wish would be to stop my inevitable baldness.

DP (Yes, ladies, that means he's single. Catch him while you can!) Finally, your video "Heavy Metal Farmer" has enjoyed over 3 million views. You're developing a fan base of tens of thousands, and I've seen you on YouTube interviewing the likes of James Cameron, and Sigourney Weaver, amongst others. For the hopeful artist/entertainer out there, what would you say to encourage them?

David Bass: Believe, and don't ever stop. That's my one drive, it's just going to be this one chance - and I do not want to sit on my deathbed and regret that I missed opportunities and ruined it. If you have a talent, don't waste it! That's the biggest crime you could ever commit to yourself. Anything is possible, everything is within reach, work hard and you'll get it.

Spoken like a true artist! Well Mr. Bass, this has been such an honor. We, your fans, are definitely looking forward to more work from you. Thank you so much for taking your valuable time to answer my questions, and satisfying the curiosity of your fans, around the world. See you around YouTube and Facebook, ok?

And to my readers: Thank you for joining me into the mind of David Bass, creator of "Heavy Metal Farmer"! I hope you'll check out this young man's work. Be ready for a belly laugh.

Sources:

The mind of David Bass, and,
http://www.youtube.com/daveyboyz
http://www.justgiving.com/stickaid2009