Adam Holtzapfel-How did you get your start in comedy?

Brad Thacker-My background was originally playing drums in bands & wanting to work in radio. I got an associates degree from a community college. Had I went to regular college I would've flunked out. I started interning at a sports radio station in Cincinnati which turned into a paid production/weekend producer position. The station was bought by Clear Channel shortly after and we were all fired and replaced by syndicated ESPN shows. My friend threw an anti-Clear Channel festival and asked me to host it. I wrote some jokes for the event and here I am 10 years or so later. I traded in one hard to break in the business profession for another one that's even harder.

AH-You’ve become the resident comedian for Days of the Dead opening for Roddy Piper, Mick Foley, and John Waters at their shows how did that happen?

BT-I am no stranger to conventions. I attend a lot of horror, Kiss, and vinyl conventions. Stumbled onto a flyer for the first ever Days of the Dead convention and saw they were having Roddy Piper, who is my favorite wrestler and personal hero of mine, doing stand up comedy show as part of the con. I saw no other comic listed as opening or on the show. I thought "Maybe I'll email the people putting this on and see if Roddy needs an opener." Most performers want an opening act and don't like going up cold. Figured comedy shows were probably not something the people running it knew a lot about so I figured I would help in any way o could. I was relentless with my emails. They didn't say no. And here we are today....I'm the resident comedian when it's needed as well as hosting some panels & being a full fledge staff member of Days of the Dead which I am really really proud of. The people I've met thru doing these are worth more to me than anything. That crew thinks outside the box and is hardworking, dedicated. It's probably the thing I'm most proud of out of anything I've done in my life.

AH-Did that also lead to you touring with Jim Florentine as well as writing jokes for the roast of Corey Taylor from Slipknot?

BT-Actually no, Jim Florentine and Bob Levy were the two comics I met when I first started who really took me under their wings and helped me. Levy gave me my first paid gig that was outside of my comfort zone in the Midwest. I met Florentine thru Levy. They were all involved with a tour called The Killers of Comedy, which was a live show featuring comics & cast from The Howard Stern Show. It was like being on tour with Zeppelin. Sold out shows, debauchery. One night we would have to break up a fight between the Iron Sheik and Beetlejuice or something even crazier. I would literally fly out somewhere in the US on a Thursday evening, do shows all weekend, fly back home on Sunday, and was back working at a bookstore on Monday morning.

Writing for the Corey Taylor Roast came from Florentine & Don Jamieson. It was so much fun writing jokes for a bunch of musicians and comics you look up to and are fans of. A joke I wrote about Sebastian Bach caused him to get really upset so I took that as a complement. For the record, I am a huge fan of Sebastian Bach.

AH-In June you co-hosted the filmmakers awards with Jason Hoover, in Chicago you’ll be co-hosting the F/X Contest with Chris Blair. Is that kind of a natural transition for you to go from doing straight stand up to helping host events?

BT-It's natural for me. I've been performing my whole life in some way. I like having attention on me and if you talk to any performer and they say they don't like the attention they are lying. Plus, I like new challenges. It pushes me, makes me nervous which makes me miserable which makes my performances better I think. I am always flattered when someone asks me to be involved with something they are doing.

AH-What are some of your favorite spots to eat at or what do you cook when you’re back home?

BT-Louisville is GREAT for food. Burger Boy is a small hole in the wall diner that I eat at a lot. Vietnam Kitchen is another great place. New Wave Burritos is this newer place that started out as a food truck and has now turned into a burrito delivery service in certain parts of town. Mark's Feed Store has amazing BBQ.

AH-Last but not least, what’s your favorite movie of all time?

BT-Favorite movie is tough. Fletch, Clerks, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, This Is Spinal Tap, Texas Chainsaw 1 & 2, Monster Squad....I can't get enough of Run either. Jason Hoover and Brian Williams knocked me out with both their visions of that film.