We here at the Bastion have been admiring Paul Thomas's work in the stand-up circuit for a little under a year now, but haven't had too much of a chance to chat with him about his goings on and such. Some of this has to do with the reputation of his now-defunct two-man sketch group, the Deviant Thomas Brothers, and our shyness about talking to someone who is a comedy superstar in our eyes. However, with the veritable load of projects he is currently taking part in, we sucked it up and took a few minutes to chat with Paul. And now we are friends.

Can you give me a brief rundown of your career in comedy? We all of course want you to talk about the Defiant Thomas Brothers. What else along the path have you worked on?

I moved to Chicago in the fall of '99 to pursue comedy. My first week here I started the writing program at the Second City Training Center and also the Beginning Improv program, the whole levels A through E thing, because I had no experience whatsoever, except for playing Curly in an 8th grade production of Oklahoma. After that I did the Cornservatory, and while I was doing that I wrote, directed, produced and performed in a sketch revue Passage Dance at the old WNEP Theater (the Playground Theater now). It was all small scale, of course, but I always mention that one because the experience -- it was the first baby. The next year Seth Thomas and I became the Defiant Thomas Brothers, and we ran every weekend at Frankie J’s Methadome Theater for fifteen months, rain or shine, 1 person or 50. We never had 50, actually. After that we were invited out to Aspen for the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, and we won Best Sketch Group. Then we did a few network showcases and we got a development deal with Regency Television (Malcolm in the Middle, Bernie Mac). For every show you see getting on TV there were probably thirty-five development deals, so we were in the majority of those that die on the table. And then we broke up, and now I’m doing standup, a solo show, some sketch stuff, and whatever else my monkey brain dreams up.

What does the magic 8 ball say regarding the future?

The magic 8 ball says, “He’s going to bust his ass.” And I hope the 8-ball doesn’t do the old “I was being literal” trick.

What can I expect from Goldibear when i check it out tonight?

Goldibear will be fun. It’s raw and toothy. We’ve got some experienced comic performers, and I’m having a blast with it.

Can you give me a rundown on that project, the impetus for it, what your plans for it are after the run at Playground ends?

Jeff Madden and I had gone through the writing program together. He was also in my first show. I was in the DTB and he was performing with The Perfect Gentlemen with our friend Dave Taylor. Dave moved to LA, and I became a solo act, and Jeff moved to the city from the 'burbage and actually a five minute walk from me. So I had the name Goldibear in my head for a group with three guys and one woman. Nothing novel about that, but sometimes I have the name for something before I have the “something.” And I had always wanted to work more with Jeff because he’s brilliant. So we met a few times and started writing. I had some stuff, he had stuff, and we did some together. He’s done a lot of excellent video work with his group Monsters from the Id, of which Shell Rao is also a part of, so we have her in the group. Then there’s the fabulous Brady Novak. Oddly enough, I met Brady back in 2000 I had asked him to be in my show. I didn’t know him very well but I knew he had it. But he was moving to LA at the time and I called Jeff after that because I needed the “big guy” type. Now with GOLDIBEAR I’m the smallest guy in the group.

We’re not planning any runs. This one was last minute - we never planned to do a run in the first place. We’re going to shoot a lot of the scenes on video and go from there. The spot opened up at the Playground less than a month ago so we just jumped on it to get some reps in. It’s pretty low key from a “hey, we have a new group” point of view, but I promise it will be funny.

How did the first night go?

And God said “let there be rain.” Since we were cramming to get ready, it worked out well that there was a deluge. I had a blast.

You're also throwing a one-man show in October, titled Waitress Wanted. can you give us a little preview of that show?

It’s the true story of my pursuit of a date with a waitress. It’s a different beast from the standup and sketch, although there are some stand-up bits in it. But there’s no underlying message or feeling of catharsis.

What else keeps you busy in life besides seemingly performing comedy 24/7?

Haha. I am getting married next spring, so there’s a wedding to plan, or so I’m told. I’m a procrastinator and there’s an assload of stuff I have to do so I really have to focus on non-procrastinating.

Do you find yourself being influenced and/or inspired by any greats?

Take this with a grain of corn – comedy has always been sacred to me, so I’ve been a sponge for anything that made anyone laugh. I had my triune Steve, though. On the zany end Steve Martin, on the clever end Steven Wright, and then my brother Steve. The way he describes things and tells stories – he’s ten years older than me -- so when your older brother is making you laugh with phrases and descriptions, it’s imprinted on you.

Who do you like to watch in Chicago?

I just started doing stand-up in January, but I think I’ve seen all of the Northside crew at some point. But I’d like to see long sets by a lot of folks. My sentimental favorite will probably always be Robert Buscemi. And Brady is just a great all-around performer. Monday night I lost my shit just looking at him in one scene. You’ll know when you see it. Make that two scenes.

What are some of your favorite rooms to perform or spectate in?

I haven’t performed that much with the stand-up. Obviously Chicago Underground Comedy and The Lincoln Lodge are fantastic. For sketch it’s a trip playing on Second City’s etc. to a full house. You’re on top of the audience and it feels intimate, yet you’ve got 180 people there. I’ve always liked going to shows at the Skybox, but oddly enough, I think it’s tough place to play.

Goldibear runs every Monday through October 30 at the Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 8 p.m., $5. Waitress Wanted begins October 18, and will run every Wednesday through December 6 (except November 1) at Live Bait Theater, 3914 N.Clark, 8 p.m., $10.

Paul will also be performing stand-up at Chicago Underground Comedy, Gunther Murphy's, 1638 N. Belmont, on October 24, 8:30 p.m., $5.