Comedy Punk Games & Books Podcast

With Reid's boots firmly planted in Georgia clay, he gives us an update on what it's like to be the new comic in town, plus he gives us a rundown of all the hot comedy clubs in ATL and he spends some time reliving the feel good energy at the Obituary show

It's been over a year since Reid and Ryan sat down and recorded a podcast, and these are the results. Reid is heading to a new adventure in the even deeper south, Ryan visits a farewell tour at PNC Arena and the triumphant return of Magic: The Gathering Card or Metal band. 

CPGB is going on vacation. We are taking a much needed rest and you should, too!

Taking a deep dive on an old comic, we look at "Archie" in a new segment called "Riverdale High Book Club", Sony drops the ball on its PlayStation 5 pre-orders, more hot Afro-punk from "Fuck You Pay Us" and "Red Arkade", plus Reid gets back in the comedy saddle with a rooftop show in Chapel Hill. 

An exclusive interview with Kimon Lycos Founder and CEO of "Forever has Fallen" an innovative new multimedia gaming experience that utilizes, podcasts, social media and a dedicated website to bring players into the mysterious world of Forever Social. Find out how you can become a bounty hunter and start tracking down an assassin. Plus reading recommendations you should have on your night stand and another you can throw directly into the trash, and the campaign to #SaveOurStages. 

Episode 31 is LIVE! In this episode, punk band reviews of Pleasure Venom, Five Three Eyes, and Meet Me At The Altar. We list off our guilty pleasures, including Ryan's fascination with Gilmore Girls, and Reid's Respect for Juggalos, and Reid returns to the stage at Goodnights Comedy Club. 

Growing up in the south, Reid and Ryan have a discussion about race in small rural towns, and how African Americans and black artists influenced their sense of humor, the music they love, the games they play and the books they read.  

In memory of George Floyd.

UFOs are confirmed by the Pentagon (how is that not front page news?), GWAR issues a Public Service Announcement on disinfectants, why video games should be social first and a game second, stand up comedy gets comfortable online, Ryan's Never-ending Reading List, and what do you do when covidiots start protesting in your town?

Joining me LIVE from an undisclosed location, Reid Pegram is back (sort of), as we discuss how we are going to survive this crazy dystopian nightmare. In this episode how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected the stand up comedy scene, touring musicians, video and tabletop games, and the publishing industry.

Our special guest host this month is David Price, the founder and lead singer for the Raleigh-based death metal band "Eldritch Horror" and General Manager of Game Theory tabletop gaming store. We discuss the origins of Eldritch Horror, how the metal scene has changed, why he quit smoking for his band's sake, how Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gathering changed the landscape of game stores everywhere, Dave's immense collection of old school D&D books, coming to terms with the racism of H.P. Lovecraft and Dave takes on everyone's favorite quiz show "Magic: The Gathering or Metal Band." 

In this episode Reid forgets to dip his pizza in Superbowl Chili, Jenna drinks all of Ryan's Crown Royal, melting faces at a metal show from the inside, pro tips on producing comedy shows with solutions that involve cats, Reid's stand up show without a microphone, the 20th annual Great Cover Up in Raleigh, secret video of Ryan singing Heart, Reid's visit to the pinball museum in Asheville, Evil Hat’s Fate of Cthulu draws praise and ire, Reid visits three comic book stores on his way home, and fond farewell to comedy giant Terry Jones and Corrosion of Conformity's Reed Mullin.

Happy new year from Ryan and Reid! This month we discuss cutting down trees, flaming swords and breaking toilet seats for Christmas, plus a look ahead at some of the most anticipated movies and punk festivals for 2020. 

Reid gets engaged (finally) and interviews one of his favorite comic artists Mitch Gerard, plus more love for the books of NK Jemisin, plus Reid reports from the Altercation Comedy Festival in Austin, Texas and the Soda City Comedy Festival in Columbia, South Carolina, and what do Slayer and a dead grandmother have in common? The answers to these questions and much more in episode 23 of CPGB.  

A departure from our regularly scheduled show, we offer up an abbreviated podcast that contains a few gems from our earlier episodes. This is volume one of our "Best of Greatest Hits Solid Gold". This month we revisit an interview with the manager of "Goodnights Comedy Club" in Raleigh, NC, Brandy Brown, plus Reid tells us about the time he was mistaken for a prostitute, and relive the excitement of our first ever "Magic: The Gathering Card or Metal Band" quiz game.  

Summer is still hanging around (and so are we!) In this episode of CPGB, we examine one of the most punk things that has happened in a long while, a co-founding member of Blink 182 proves that UFOs are REAL, plus Reid bombs spectacularly in front the High School Reunion of 1979 and it couldn't be funnier. Ryan shares his obsession for N.K. Jemisin's Hugo Award winning trilogy The Broken Earth and we say a fond farewell to Ric Ocasek.

Interviews from GalaxyCon Raleigh with actor Brian O'Halloran, New York Times Best Selling Author Tim Seeley, and the co-creator of Spider-Gwen Robbi Rodriguez.  Hear adventures from Reid and his comedy troupe Attention Horse as they travel from North Carolina to Indiana Comic Convention. Plus Reid gets an interview with comic book cover artist Glenn Fabry from the floor of the convention.

A very special episode recorded LIVE at GalaxyCon Raleigh, July 26, 2019 on the Comedy Stage. In this episode we discuss the intimidation of obscure cosplay, growing up nerdy in small towns, a geriatric royal rumble, and audience members go head-to-head with Reid Pegram in "Magic: The Gathering Card or Metal Band?".  Also check out our CPGB Spotify playlist for some of our favorite sounds and songs. THANKS TO GALAXYCON RALEIGH AND EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO SEE US!

Reid is "one-and-done" with the North Carolina's Funniest Comedian competition (and he's NOT bitter). A Greensboro punk venue comes under fire for booking a controversial music act. The big announcements from E3, the video game conference and the award winners from the Origins Tabletop Game Fair. DC discontinues several of its popular lines and Marvel announces new X-men characters coming to its universe.   

Conan O'brien and his writing team are accused of joke stealing and settle a major lawsuit out-of-court. Reid takes us on a trip to Wilmington, NC where he tells jokes to strangers at the Cape Fear Comedy Festival. A tale of two live shows, Ryan gives us a front row perspective on Yob and Garbage and the guys praise the coming of Mac Sabbath. Plus, tariffs encroach into the tabletop gaming world and the big news in comics: writer Tom King is leaving the Batman series. What else could we pack into this show? How about reports from Free Comic Book Day, everyone's favorite quiz show, Magic the Gathering Card or Metal Band and a fond farewell to Tim Conway and Roky Erickson

Part two of our super special double feature, an exclusive interview with comedian Brooks Wheelan. He tells us why "Powerman 5000" is *his* band and Brooks goes head-to-head with Reid in everybody's favorite quiz show, "Magic: The Gathering Card or Metal Band". We also have exclusive interviews from the floor of NCComicon Raleigh with artists Kyle Baker and Aeron Alfrey.

Director Robert D. Krzykowski & actor Sean Bridgers join CPGB's Ryan Parker at the Alamo Draft House in Raleigh to discuss their film "The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot".  In this exclusive one-hour interview, Robert Krzykowski discusses how the film is both a character study and a love story, that examines life in a small town and the challenges of growing old. As the producer, director and writer of the movie, Robert provides us with a unique perspective on the challenges of making an independent film and what it was like to work with Academy Award nominated actor Sam Elliott. North Carolina native Sean Bridgers tells us about the two characters he plays in the movie, and how he tried to convince Robert to also let him play the characters of both Hitler and Bigfoot. Sean is currently working on the next season of the hit TV series "Get Shorty". The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot is currently in theaters and also available on Blu Ray, DVD and several streaming sites. See the trailer here."

Comedian Brooks Wheelan brings us stories from behind-the-scenes of Saturday Night Live and tells us how he walked away from a biomedical engineering job to pursue a career in comedy. Check out Brooks Wheelan's podcast "Entry Level  w/ Brooks Wheelan". We also have exclusive interviews from the floor of NC Comicon Raleigh with Robert Venditti, Rico Renzi and Steve Mannion. This is part one of a two-part episode. Part two will air May 1st and have more interviews from NC Comicon and the second half of our interview with Brooks Wheelan.

Ben Roberts of “Punks and Panels” podcast joins us to discuss the DIY aesthetic of comic books and punk music, plus a review of the comic book “Invasion from Planet Wrestletopia”. We delve into the controversy surrounding the repurposing of “The Punisher” logo. Ryan celebrates Kevin Smith’s new venture with “Howard the Duck”. Reid plays his first game of Dungeons and Dragons, tells us why he cried at the Raleigh “Metallica” show, and provides a first-hand review of the “Corrosion of Conformity” show at the Lincoln Theater. Plus the return of “Magic the Gathering Card or Metal Band?” and a fond farewell to comedian Brody Stevens.

We give a full audio analysis of Bill Maher's rant against comic book culture with our careful analytical dissection of his comedy and opinions (SPOILER: he's an asshole.) A preview of the 21st Annual Punk Rock Bowling festival in Las Vegas Nevada and a look ahead at the Iron Reagan show at the Maywood in Raleigh. Reid details his fishing excursions in the video game Red Dead redemption 2 as he prepares to play Dungeons and Dragons for the first time in front of a live audience. The return of everyone's favorite quiz show "Magic the Gathering Card or Metal Band?" Our top reads for the past month including Brian Posehn's "Forever Nerdy" and "Die" the comic book. Plus a fond farewell to punk legend Lorna Doom and comedy actor Bob Einstein.

Ring in the New Year with a fresh episode from CPGB. In Episode 12: a look back at all the cool Christmas loot we managed to scam out of our loved ones, the miracle that is GWAR, why Reid will never go back to Kentucky, the top tabletop games from last year, must-read comedy books from 2018 and a fond farewell to Penny Marshall.

Interviews from NC Comicon-Bull City in Durham, North Carolina with Tamara Robertson from "Mythbusters" and comic creators Ben Bishop, Becky Cloonan, Jeff Parker and Jeff Lemire. Plus a tearful tribute and farewell to Stan Lee. 

Unexpected return of Louis CK, roasting the X-Men, reviews of Alice Cooper and Dead Boys, D.O.A. comes to power in Canada, winning the Spiderman PS4 game, a look at Red Dead Redemption 2, Reid hates on mustard-based barbecue, Ryan reviews the "Stranger Things" comic and "Batman & The MAXX", and another installment of everyone's favorite quiz show, "Magic: the Gathering Card or Metal Band?"  

Seattle comedian Derek Sheen joins us in-studio at the Soda City Cola Comedy Festival in Columbia, SC.  Derek discusses: the comedy scene in Seattle, the Louis C.K. problem, a hotel located at the mouth of Hell, the bursting of the comedy bubble in the ‘90s, and so much more. Also, Reid finds something special in his hotel pillow and reviews the new PS4 Spiderman game. Plus, Derek and Reid square-off in everybody’s favorite quiz show: “Magic the Gathering Card or Metal Band?” DO NOT MISS THIS EPISODE!  Find Derek’s upcoming shows at https://www.dereksheenrulz.com/ Follow Derek on: twitter facebook  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dereksheen666/  

Reid's adventures with comedian Brian Posehn. Ryan reports on the latest Rifftrax Live: "Krull" and David Cross's comedy tour makes a stop in the Bull City. Also, a preview of Raleigh's premiere music festival "Hopscotch".  Ryan joins forces with RPG non-profit organization The Role Initiative . Plus, reviews of the new "DC/Looney Tunes" and the "Rick and Morty/Dungeons & Dragons" crossover comic books. And a look at the biggest little comic show in NC, the "Raleigh Comic Book Show". And Reid locks horns with everyone's favorite quiz show, "Magic: The Gathering Card or Metal Band?"

Exclusive interviews with comic book artists Larry Hama, Tim Seeley and Bob McLeod. Titans of the comics industry chat with Reid and Ryan about their favorite comic book villain, rock & roll, and hot pants for Robin. Also, recaps of SUPERCON panels with Eisner Award winning writer Tom King, "Batman the Animated Series" voice actor Kevin Conroy, and rock mega-star Alice Cooper.  Plus, Reid's unhealthy obsession with Tom King EXPOSED! Reid also demonstrates how NOT to talk to Kevin Conroy. Ryan makes things awkward with Larry Hama and shares his passion for tennis with Bob McLeod.  Plus the nominations are out for the Gen Con EN World RPG Awards (the “ENnies”) and the winners from the 2018 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. 

The serious topic of the allegations of abuse and misuse of power in the comedy world. In punk & metal: Slayer's farewell tour, Raleigh Deathfest, YOB at Kings, GWAR on tour, farewell to Nick Knox, Steve Soto and Vinnie Paul.  In games: E3 announcements, the Origins Game Fair Awards, Gamestop looks for a buyer and starts selling comic books. In books: A crimewave hits Ultimate Comics, Batman and Catwoman's wedding SPOILED, Conan the Barbarian coming to Amazon, Reid attends HeroCon, Supercon Preview, Action Comics #1 sells for millions at auction. 

Stan Lee's BILLION DOLLAR lawsuit against POW!Entertainment, Reid visits with "Name Redacted" podcast where he drinks 40 ounce beers out of a pint glass (classy) and does a comedy set with a shock collar around his neck at Monstercade in Winston Salem. A look back at the Cape Fear Comedy Festival in Wilmington and the Oak City Comedy Festival in Raleigh. Rick and Morty creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland ink a 70 episode deal. Network ABC cancels the reboot of the popular sitcom "Roseanne", because the show's name sake can't stop race baiting on twitter. Samantha Bee apologies for her controversial use of the word "feckless" on her show "Full Frontal". Michelle Wolf does the opposite of apologize for her scathing set at the White House Correspondents Dinner (read the transcript here).  In punk & metal news, the band NOFX loses its sponsorship and its spotlight gig at "Camp Drunk in Public" because Fat Mike can't keep his mouth shut. Reid renews his nerd card at a Bit Brigade and Mega Colossus show at King's in Raleigh.Ryan introduces the new game "Punch Shirt" at the Primus and Mastadon show and the best show the Ritz has seen this year: Descendents, Radkey and Pie Faced Girls, seriously this was the best show in Raleigh to date (read the Descendents setlist here). Tenacious D gears up for a new tour. Chicago's punk mega festival "Riotfest" releases the first wave of their band lineup (read the list of artists here). Chapel Hill's underground home for music weirdos, The Cave, is back in business.  In game news, Reid gets excited at some of the new PS4 releases that are coming out in this summer (read a list of the top 40+ video games coming out this year.) Thousands clamor to attend new E-Sports Arenas. Batman the Animated Series is getting a board game and Reid is about to lose his mind about it. The Sengoku punk role-playing game Warsong gets a second edition (download a copy on DriveThruRPG). The new D&D source book Mordenkainen Tome of Foes shows up in gaming stores across America damaged (Ryan still doesn't have his copy). The new D&D adventure books are announced. Reid takes another swing at everyone's favorite quiz show "Magic: The Gathering Card or Metal Band?" In books news, a small child throws a dead bird at Reid at Free Comic Book Day. Ryan tells you how to get one dollar comics for forty cents. Amazing Spider Man issue number 800 has 45 variant covers; is it too much or not enough? Ryan reviews "Uninvited Quests" by Lex Wilson. The 2018 Eisner Comic Industry Award nominations are announced (read the entire list of nominees here). We say good bye to Margot Kidder, Philp Roth and Tom Wolfe.   

The delicate art of producing a comedy open mic and take a look ahead at the "Cape Fear" & "Oak City" comedy festivals. Reid talks about eating his first beef tongue taco and breaking up a nerd fight. In punk news, the new album "The Sciences" from doom stoner metal band "Sleep" and a look at some of the punk bands heading back to the studio. In gaming news, a rundown of the top 10 video games of the year, examining the new PS4 game "God of War" and looking at some of the new tabletop games that are coming out. And everyone's favorite quiz show is back, "Magic: The Gathering Card or Metal Band?" Ryan talks about unearthing quality comic book issues at the "Ultimate Comics Super Secret Warehouse Sale"and rants about comic digging etiquette. Reid fawns over "Action Comics" issue number 1000 of the "Superman" comic and looks ahead to Free Comic Book Day. Reid Pegram live stand-up performances: May 2nd, 8pm - Cape Fear Comedy Festival - Waterline Brewing Company in Wilmington, NC May 2nd, 9pm - Cape Fear Comedy Festival - Dead Crow Comedy Room in Wilmington, NC May 3rd, 8pm -Cape Fear Comedy Festival - Reel Cafe in Wilmington, NC May 4th, 10pm -Cape Fear Comedy Festival - Bourgie Nights in Wilmington, NC May 5th, 8:30pm - Cape Fear Comedy Festival - Dead Crow in Wilmington, NC May 9th, 9pm - The Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson House Party Comedy Open Mic, The Outpost in Raleigh, NC May 22nd, 9pm - Oak City Comedy Festival - The Outpost in Raleigh, NC May 23rd, 9pm - The Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson House Party Comedy Open Mic, The Outpost in Raleigh, NC May 25th, TBA Oak City Comedy Festival

Premiere of your favorite new game show: "Magic the Gathering Card or Metal Band?", Reid stays at a sketchy beach motel, Ryan's favorite Communist comedians, DIY Punk & Comedy, Hot Sauce + Stand-up = Painful bits... of poo, Mac Sabbath at Motorco, latest tabletop game news: Pathfinder Second Edition, Star Wars Legion and Asmodee Launches an Entertainment division, Visiting NC Comicon (Reid gets crushed by a 12 year old), Remembering Meltdown Comics, Conan Returning to Marvel in 2019, NY Times Bestsellers Reid Pegram's live stand-up performances: April 5th, 8pm - "The People's Showcase: A Night of Stand-up Comedy" @ The Outpost in Raleigh, NC April 9th, 7:30pm - Charity Showcase for Interact April 11th, 9pm "The Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson House Party Comedy Open Mic" @ The outpost in Raleigh, NC April 13th, Copper Still Taproom in Thomasville, NC April 21st, North Star Cafe in Jacksonville, NC April 25th, 9pm "The Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson House Party Comedy Open Mic" @ The outpost in Raleigh, NC April 27th, Stone Cold Sober @ Bombers in Wilmington, NC

A special one-hour interview with actress, comedian and manager of Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, Brandy Brown. CPGB's new intro song "Wendigo" compliments of Raleigh metalheads "Mega Colossus", the other CPGB, an update on Reid's horrific knee injury, Ryan's DM seminar at Playthrough Gaming Convention, upcoming punk festivals, "Ready Player One" back on the best seller list Click here to see the trailer of the cult zombie movie "One Last Sunset" our guest starring Brandy Brown. Reid Pegram's live stand-up performances: March 10th, 9pm - "From the Couch" (storytelling show) @ The PIT in Chapel Hill, NC March 15th, 8pm - "Neptune's 4 Year Anniversary Show" @ Neptune's in Raleigh, NC March 21st, 7:45pm - "Comedy Overload" @ Deep South in Raleigh, NC  March 22nd, 7:30pm - "Behind the Laughs" @ Varsity Theatre in Chapel Hill, NC March 30-31, 8:00pm - Opening at Dead Crow Comedy Club in Wilmington, NC April 9th, 7:30pm - "Charity Show to Benefit Interact" @ Jordan Lake Brewing Company in Cary, NC May 2nd-5th - "Cape Fear Comedy Festival" in Wilmington, NC May 22nd-26th - "Oak City Comedy Festival" in Raleigh, NC In the episode we reference the Native American spirit "Wendigo" (which is also the name of the Mega Colossus song that is now our new intro theme). Charming, isn't he?    

Welcome to the very first episode of the CPGB podcast. From the "Catacombs of Despair" located in the steam tunnels beneath the soft white underbelly of Raleigh, North Carolina, hosts Ryan Parker and Reid Pegram bring you the inaugural episode of "CPGB: Home of Underground Podcasting". In this episode, it's all about getting to know our hosts and the purpose behind the podcast. This month, Reid and Ryan talk about: The burgeoning comedy scene in North Carolina Reid's horrific injury and why it kept him from seeing one of his favorite metal bands Favorite punk and metal venues in the Triangle (and beyond)  report from the metal show at Slim's Downtown Distillery featuring: Mega Colossus, Knightmare, Children of the Reptile & Mortal Man The Punkrock Smackdown 7 at The Maywood featuring: Black Cat Attack, No Anger Control, Poison Anthem, Children of October, Ghosts of Saturday Nite, MechaBull, Safe Word, Machinegun Earl Reid's opinion on the greatest video game console of all time Why Ryan thinks we are in a board game renaissance  A book recommendation for comic book enthusiasts and comic book recommendations Reid Pegram live stand-up performances: Feb 18th, 7:00pm @ Mystery Brewing in Hillsboro, NC Feb 19th, 6:00pm - NC Comedy Festival @ The Idiot Box in Greensboro, NC Feb 21st, 9:00pm - NC Comedy Festival @ The Idiot Box in Greensboro, NC Feb. 28th, 9:30pm - The Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson House Party Comedy Open Mic @ The Outpost, Raleigh, NC  March 1st, 8:00pm - The People's ShowCase: A Night of Stand-up Comedy @ The Outpost in Raleigh, NC March 2nd & 3rd, 7:00 & 9:30 (both nights) - Hosting for Gina Brillon @ The Dead Crow Comedy Room in Wilmington, NC  March 30th & 31st, 7:00 & 9:30 (both nights) - Hosting for Randy Liedtke @ The Dead Crow Comedy Room in Wilmington, NC