Interview: Clownvis 'The King of Clowns'

The Legendary showman Clownvis Presley brings his show stopping antics to Zanzabar Thursday June 30th. We were able to speak to him for an exclusive interview from his headquarters in St. Louis Mo. about Independence Day, Jesus, Santa, on becoming a Human Cannonball, and his secret to keeping the ladies happy (it's cotton candy). 

Clownvis the human cannonball July 4th 2014

37: Since your start more than 5 years ago, you have done slews of holiday specials and shows including Christmas Specials and television appearances as well as your own show Clownvis Time! You are also known for your July 4th extravaganzas including a special event in Saint Louis where you were shot out of a cannon at the Atomic Cowboy in 2014. Is it safe to say Independence Day is one of your most favorite holidays and do you have anything special planned for your Independence weekend show at Zanzabar?

CP: 4th of July is by far my favorite holiday, along with Christmas, which is by far my favorite holiday. And Halloween and Valentines Day are also by far my favorite holidays. I guess I just have a lot of favorite holidays...by far. But to answer your question, yes, I have special things planned for the Zanzabar show. We will celebrate Mother America and suckle on her nurturing teet. 

37: This will be your 3rd time in Louisville since your first show at Zanzabar on March 6th 2016 opening for Rob Crow. This time you are headlining the bill. What do you account for your rapid rise in popularity in Kentucky?

CP: Clownvis goes well with race horses and bourbon. 

37: The Clownvis Mafia includes a wide range of characters including manager Narvel P. Tuffnuts, sidekick Duke Karate, DJ Weenie D (personal DJ and pet dog) security guards Stanley Suede and Bruce Bagwell as well as  others including Clownapatra. Any chance we will see any of the infamous entourage at Zanzabr next week?

CP: Narvel tour manages most of my road shows, so he will be there. Bruce and Stanley are out in Hollyweird working as stuntmen in motion pictures. I'd love to take everybody on the road, but I don't like all that stuff that comes out of my budget like hotel rooms and Waffle House for a dozen people. So, me and Narv get the job done. 

Narvel P. Tuffnuts (in trademark glasses) with friend.

37: What is it exactly that makes you like catnip to women, and also if it is some sort of lotion, potion, or fragrance can you bring some to Louisville with you?

CP: I wear cotton candy body spray. 

37: It is a scientific fact that 5000 years ago Santa was walking around the North Pole when he came across the baby Jesus. He gave him a chicken wing and said "C'mon Baby" and they went and wrote the bible together. How do you incorporate these religious facts in your daily life as well as your live performances? 

CP: Jesus is my homeboy. Amen. 

Clownvis Will Be at Zanzabar Thurs June 30th
with Howell Dawdy and The Winger Brothers

Read our review of Clownvis' last show at Zanzabar here.

6/30 Clownvis, Howell Dawdy, and the Winger Brothers @ Zanzabar

Clownvis, the King of Clowns, will be making an appearance at Zanzabar on Thursday June 30th, with Howell Dawdy, and The Winger Brothers. This is an amazing line-up and has the 37FLOOD seal of approval. Read our review of Clownvis' last performance at Zanzabar here. 

Review: Clownvis Presley @ Zanzabar

On a sleepy unassuming sunday night, the miracle of a second coming took place at Zanzabar. The King isn't dead after all, but reformed in the image of a clown.
Clownvis Presley got his start more than 5 years ago in the Saint Louis area, performing around town at music venues or on the street in front of Vintage Vinyl  in a guerrilla karaoke style before making the leap to Hollywood in a full on push for comedy stardom including a memorable, yet orchestrated for failure by the producers, performance on America's Got Talent in 2011.

Clownvis used the infamous appearance on AGT to launch a full scale attempt for a comedy career with his own web series, Clownvis Time, which included a full universe of characters including his manager Narvell P. Tuffnuts, sidekick Duke Karate, DJ Weenie D (his personal DJ and pet dog) security guards Stanley Suede and Bruce Bagwell and a slew of groupies, rival musicians and oddballs.  Most successful during this time was his highly produced music videos, directed by Sean Barrett, such as Barack O's Tacos, The Cursive Song, Dancing with the Wolfman (in a non-gay way),  and Jesus Christ eating on a Chicken Wing.


In the past year, Clownvis has relocated back to Saint Louis, mostly appearing occasionally at special events, without his entourage, save for manager Narvell. Rob Crow, of Pinback and Goblin Cock, played in Saint Louis on Saturday March 5, and the following day in Louisville, bringing with him Clownvis Presley on both dates.
Clownvis opened for Rob Crow and his Gloomy Place, from 9pm-10pm at the Zanzabar, for an ecstatic crowd (larger and more enthusiastic than for Crow) with the Zanzabar staff pulling out all the stops, including dinner specials in Clownvis' honor including Sweet Jesus Hot Wings and Barack O's Tacos.

Head Chef Ally Trusty in clown make up

Barack O's Tacos in the shape of a clown face

Clownvis inspired dinner specials

   Clownvis took the stage with fervor and fanfare as Narvell lit the way with a spotlight as the crowd cheered, jumping straight into a rendition of Viva Las Vegas, followed by America the Beautiful, and then abandoning the 'Elvis Impersonator' act for the full on 'Clownvis' universe filled with original songs and dialog, including Barack O's Tacos (as he explained beforehand Barack Obama plans to open a family style restaurant chain but needed a recognizable face as spokesman and asked Clownvis to help out), and Jesus Christ eating on a Chicken Wing (including the story of how 5000 years ago Santa Claus gave the new born baby jesus a chicken wing and then they wrote the bible together).


Missing from the act was some of his staple songs such as The Cursive Song and Dancing with the Wolfman, and many of his Christmas related numbers such as Mutant Boy Christmas Song and Coming for you on Christmas, but he included many re-imagined songs such as singing In The Ghetto while changing the lyrics to explain the plot of Fresh Prince of Bell Air. Clownvis also did a few straight of covers such as Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give you Up, and 4 Non Blondes What's Up, as well as the theme from The Golden Girls after asking the crowd if they would move to Florida with him to retire. As his finale Clownvis returned to the Elvis songbook to do a spot on cover of the Elvis Presley showstopper An American Trilogy to crowd delight.

3/6 Rob Crow's Gloomy Place & Clownvis Presley @ Zanzabar

Mathy-rocker Rob Crow (of Pinback and Heavy Vegetables fame) will be rolling into town this sunday to Zanzabar and he will be bringing with him, Clownvis Presley, the most intriguing and confusing mash-up act to hit Louisville since Mac Sabbath (fast food metal) played in September. Personally I thought Mac Sabbath sounded like a terrible idea, but ended up loving the show; so who knows, Clownvis Presley may be a 'do-not-miss' all on it's own. Sunday 3/6. 9pm. 21+. $10. tickets.