Can you tell us a little about the birth of Chicago Underground Comedy?

I really think ChUC was meant to happen, in that several things just fell into place. The underground comedy scene had just been featured in an article in the Chicago Tribune. It was featured in the Friday section and there happened to be this giant half page picture of me, blammo, right front and center. Brooke Van Poppelen and I were running Bad Dog Tavern’s comedy night and were approached by Gunther Murphy’s to start an open mic night on Tuesdays to help get more business in there on a traditionally dead night. We said we would only do it if we start a showcase. They agreed and we put the wheels in motion. We didn’t want it to be a show that died out after a month or so of excitement, but something that had longevity and could help a bunch of people. So I thought we should call it The Chicago Underground, and jump on the hype of the Tribune article. The basis would be this: 16 of our favorite comedians would form a coalition and regularly rotate through, presenting new and different and non-traditional material and all pitch in with production aspects. I realize that not everyone falls under the category of alternative, but everyone really flexes their writing muscles.

We wanted the show to have a completely different feel from anything else going on in the city. It is very dark back in that room, and it feels like you are underground. We wanted great music to be a part of the show, and wanted nothing about the show to be campy, or corny. It was to have an attitude of its own. We wanted to make it very cool, and be a place where people could do their best.

I think we succeeded beyond what anybody expected, and I am very proud of it. Since it’s inception I feel people really saw what could happen when you work hard and take initiative, and I hope it inspired people to get out there. To be a comedian in my home town and get noticed and be part of something big and exciting like ChUC is very, very cool.

Everyone has really improved over the course of the show. I went back and looked at old tapes and was like, “eeeesh!” I can see how certain people have really blossomed.

You've been spending more time in New York. What rooms do you like, and what kinds of shows are you doing there?

I have done a bunch of shows now, and I really like the people I have met. I have done the Hot Tub Variety Show, Here’s the Thing!, Comedy is For Humans, and Drink at Work, among others. I love the Hot Tub show, and Kurt and Kristen who run it. They are amazing. Kristen won the alternative category at Aspen last year. The Drink at Work show is fabulous. Carol and her husband are great people who run the show with a couple of other regular comedians like Sean Crespo. They are just really fun talented people. I did a set at Caroline's and it went really well, and I am going back at the end of November. I had a lot of fun with Don’t Spit the Water when we went to the NYC Fringe festival. I love those guys.

Can you describe your comedy style?

I would say that it is a fusion of observation and imagination and a refusal to be what anyone wants or expects me to be. I approach the comedy medium with the philosophy that I am going to do material that I believe in regardless of whether or not I follow a traditional joke structure.

And, in terms of influences, I love stories. My brother and I would listen to Bill Cosby’s Himself for hours. The way he could draw you in is so amazing - that you are willing to go whereever he wants to take you. I strive to take people on a journey, and bring them to a place where they can trust me and be willing to experience everything.

I don’t really listen to a lot of contemporary stuff, because, as most people might say, I don’t want to be influenced. I am an incredible fan of Eugene Mirman, though. He is doing the kind of comedy I really enjoy. I also like Jim Gaffigan, always have dug Emo Philips (Have you ever seen UHF? Amazing!) Emo Philips is so weird, but his writing is genius.

What's with the ukelele?

Well, I actually first had bought the soprano uke, for my puppet to use as a prop, for a bit where I challenged him to a "music talent off." I played my harmonica and he played the “guitar”. The times I did it people really enjoyed it. So I was sitting around at home and asked my girlfriend to tune it for me, and I started to really get a kick out of playing it. It was really fun and I was inspired to write some songs. It was a piece of crap though, and would go out of tune like nothing. I bought a concert size uke, which is slightly bigger and easier for me to hold, but still tuned the same. I know it will be something I come back to frequently. Plus it is a funny instrument, and fits my personality. I had a friend make the puppet for me, and at first I wasn’t sure what it would be. Then, I thought what would be funnier/creepier than having a puppet version of myself on stage with me. I am going to use it more, I just need to find the perfect scenario for it.

Ken and I do a lot of silly things some times, but I have to be honest with you. I prefer stuff that is “different." I am a much bigger fan of the creative stuff than any standard stand-up. That is my taste. I think life is so full of bullshit that we have to think about all the time, that I like a little escape. In my improv I always choose to play characters over myself because I can be me any time, on stage I can be these different characters, and it is such a rush.

Don’t Spit the Water is my favorite show to perform in. I love being able to tell jokes as one of my characters - I play Merlin, Lord BurgerMeat, Grandpappy Joe, and Johnny Dynamo.

Rock Comedy will be a lot of stuff Ken and I enjoy doing. The different stuff that probably can’t be called stand-up at all. We are comedians, and the point is to make people feel good and laugh and walk out of a place still talking about what they saw. I am so proud to do this with Ken because he is not only one of my favorite people to watch on stage, he is a great friend.

Who's the band that's going to accompany you and Ken Barnard with Rock Comedy?

The band is named Maradona. Ed from Brilliante Records in Chicago here was excited to do the show with us and they are a really great new sound.

What would you like to be doing in five years?

I would love to be making a living writing and performing. I dream of that day. I am at my happiest when I am performing. When it is all said and done, I want to feel like I have made a mark on the comedy world by contributing something really special.

Catch Tony Sam Saturday, November 4, at 9 PM at Gunther Murphy's (1638 W. Belmont), performing Rock Comedy with partner Ken Barnard.