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Under the Crossbones The Pirate Podcast

Join comedian and pirate Nick Hoffman as he explores the history and pop culture of pirates. Deep dive interviews with the most interesting people in the pirate community who bring the history and stories to life. Actors, treasure hunters, musicians, historians, and more. From Blackbeard to Black Sails, Jack Sparrow to Jack Rackham... Under The Crossbones is loaded with colorful characters who will take you away from your day to day and drag you happily out to sea.
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Under the Crossbones The Pirate Podcast
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Now displaying: 2015
Dec 22, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

 

Jim Light lost his leg in an auto accident and turned it into a life of performing as a pirate.  If that ain't lemons into lemonade... My first official guest with a real peg leg.

Jim's a really nice guy with a great heart and very entertaining.  Enjoy the interview.

Also on the show today, comedy from George Chen and music from Mikey Mason.

Important Websites:
Jim Light - www.CaptainJimIsMagic.com
George Chen - GeorgeTheChen.tumblr.com 
Mikey Mason - www.MikeyMason.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Additional Show Notes: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/021

Support the show!: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/support

 

Dec 15, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

SR Staley is the author of the Panther Bay series.  Right now that's two books: The Pirate of Panther Bay and Tortuga Bay.  The third book will arrive in 2016.  

In the stories, Isabella is an escaped slave from Santo Domingue who, through force of will and skill, works her way up to commanding a large pirate ship.

Lots of good pirate stuff in this interview including some of the economics of piracy and how they compare to today's street gangs.  Plus lots of talk on the craft of writing.  How to use a fight scene to advance the plot.  And Sam's workflow that allows his to crank out a book per year.

Also on the show today, comedy from Julian Michael and music from Roadside Attraction

Important Websites:
SR Staley - www.SRStaley.com
Julian Michael - www.DoubleMinorityReport.com
Roadside Attraction - www.RoadsideAttraction.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Additional Show Notes: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/020

Support the show!: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/support

 

Dec 8, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

 

Ross Furman is one of the founders of the Eastport Pirate Festival in Eastport, Maine.  It takes place the second weekend of September each year. 

Ross is quite a character and we get into their motivations behind the festival and what you can do there, including bed races, a tattoo contest, and lots of piratey goodness.  Ross even lets us in on what his favorite tattoo of the contests has been.

Also on the show today, comedy from Dobie Maxwell and music from Naufragant

Important Websites:
Eastport Pirate Festival - www.EastportPirateFestival.com
Dobie Maxwell - www.DobieMaxwell.com
Naufragant - www.Naufragant.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Additional Show Notes: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/019

Support the show!: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/support

 

Dec 1, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

John Amrhein and his team of researchers have discovered details behind the actual events that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Treasure Island.  The background of this story has been hotly debated for decades.  

This could be a somewhat controversial episode, but John presents some really great points.  And these true events are a great story in themselves.

Also on the show today, comedy from Carlos Rodriguez and music from Moon and Forty Two.

Important Websites:
Treasure Island the Untold Story - www.TreasureIslandTheUntoldStory.com
Carlos Rodriguez - www.CarlosTheComic.com
Moon and Forty Two - www.Facbook.com/moonandfortytwo
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Additional Show Notes: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/018

Support the show!: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/support

 

Nov 24, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

 

Sydney Treasure Hunt is an experience designed by Gillian Opie that uses pirates for team building.  The whole thing sounds super fun.  And she's managed to build a great pirate ship business of her own.

Also on the show today, comedy from Michael Somerville and music from Katie Garibaldi.

Important Websites:
Sydney Treasure Hunt - www.SydneyTreasureHunt.com.au
Michael Somerville - www.MichaelSomerville.com
Katie Garibaldi - www.KatieGaribaldi.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Additional Show Notes: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/017

Support the show!: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/support

 

Nov 17, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

Chris Macort is the curator of the Whydah Pirate Museum in Provincetown, MA.  He's also a wreck diver and treasure hunter who'd helped excavate the Whydah and protect the artifacts they've brought up.

Really great interview with some mind-blowing news about his current project.  You're going to do dig this one. 

Also on the show today, comedy from Mike Brody and music from Roem Baur.

Important Websites:
Whydah Pirate Museum - www.Whydah.com
Mike Brody - www.MikeBrody.com
Roem Baur - www.Roem.tv
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Additional Show Notes: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/016

Support the show!: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/support

 

Nov 10, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

 

Tiger Lee is quite the self-made man. We'll journey from his origins as a fairy photographer to the depths of the Caribbean and into Florida where he found his calling in creating authentic pirate clothing and weaponry.

Lots of detailed discussion on what is and isn't authentic pirate clothing.  So plenty for you costuming geeks out there. 

Also on the show today, comedy from Phil Johnson (that's me!) and music from Ye Banished Privateers.

Important Websites:
Tiger Lee - www.PirateFashions.com
Ye Banished Privateers - www.YeBanishedPrivateers.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Additional Show Notes: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/015

Support the show!: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/015

 

Nov 3, 2015

For extended show notes and more pirate goodies, visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

Joyce Mclean is totally a pirate.  She's made her way through an unorthodox series of businesses to find herself in Galveston, TX as owner or a really cool pirate experience called Legends of the Gulf Coast.

She's also the first officially licensed sea captain I've had on the show.  And boy is that a heck of story.

Also on the show today, comedy from Sampson McCormick and music from Seratonic.

Important Websites:
Joyce Mclean - www.PiratesGulfCoast.com
Sampson McCormick - www.SampsonComedy.com
Seratonic - soundcloud.com/seratonicjams
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Oct 27, 2015

For extended show notes and bonuses visit: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com/013

Today's episode seems to be a sort of remix theme.  My interview guest is Andrea Jones, author of the Hook and Jill Saga.  The first two books, "Hook and Jill" and "Other Oceans" are out now.  The third book, "Other Islands" will be out in 2016.

"Hook and Jill" is a retelling of the Peter Pan story told from Wendy's point of view.  And since Wendy is the most mature of the Neverland lot (being Mother and all), the story is told from a much more adult point of view.

Besides her take on writing the story we talk a lot about J.M. Barrie and how he handled the story as well as the various versions of Peter Pan over the years.  We also get into the newly restored version of Barrie's original book that Andrea has been working on.

Like the show?  Leave a review on iTunes!  It's a giant help in bringing more listeners to the show.  Here's how to leave a review.

Want to win an autographed copy of "Hook and Jill"?

Here's the scoop.  Before the interview I bought a copy of "Hook and Jill" to read.  And I happened to find one that was signed by Andrea Jones.  And now I'd like to pass it on to you.

The book is signed "To David and Margaret". If those happen to be your name, even better.  But if not, it's still a great autographed hardcover version of the book.

Click here to enter the contest.

And that's not all!... Also today on the show, comedy from Daymon Ferguson talking about books and being a literate bully.

Following the remix theme of this episode, you'll also hear brand new music from Uberband.  The singer and mastermind behind Uberband is my brother Ryan Johnson and the song "Layabout" is absolutely nutty.  Nobody jams a ton of styles into one song like these guys.

Important Websites:
Andrea Jones - www.HookAndJill.com
Daymon Ferguson - www.DaymonFerguson.com
Uberband - www.Uberband.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Oct 20, 2015

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes and more pirate goodies.

 

My guests on this episode are Jeff and Rebecca MacKay.  They, along with their son Wilde, form the MacKay Pirate Family.  Andy they're full of creativity and hustle, which I really like.

They're pirate performers, clothing and prop designers, screenwriters, theme park designers, and more.  I'm a hard worker too, but listening to everything they do made me exhausted!

Also on the show today, comedy from Matt Gubser from his new special "Daddy Issues" and music from Kenny Thomas and the Southern Baptists.

Important Websites:
Under The Crossbones: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com
M
acKay Pirate Family: www.MacKayPirateFamily.com
Nauti Mermaid Clothing: www.NautiMermaidApparel.com
Matt Gubser: www.MattGubser.com
Kenny Thomas and the Southern Baptists: www.facebook.com/kennythomasandthesouthernbaptists
Phil Johnson: www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com


Oct 13, 2015

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes and bonuses.

 

Gerard Heidgerken is known to the pirate world as BilgeMunky and he's been a diehard promoter of modern pirate music for over a decade.  

We dig into where he came from as one of the first pirate bloggers, DJs, and podcasters (before podcasts were even podcasts...)

Also on the show, comedy from this year's winner of the San Francisco Comedy Competition, Myles Weber.  And music from lovable Parrothead Loren Davidson.

Lots of fun and laughs in this one.  Check it out.

The Websites:
Gerard Heidgerken - www.BilgeMunky.com
Myles Weber - www.MylesWeber.com
Loren Davidson - www.LorenDavidson.com
Phil Johnson Tour Dates and Info - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes and bonuses.

 

 

Oct 6, 2015

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes and bonuses.

Pirate fans and enthusiasts are known for being pretty different from the rest of society anyway.  And if you're different even in the world of pirates?

My guest today is David Engel of Pirate School!  He's a classically trained actor who uses his powers to both educate about pirates and entertain kids with a really great variety show.

We'll talk about why he chose to go the kid route, the art of clowning and why it's viewed so differently here in the US compared to Europe, and how David uses pirates to teach kids science, dealing with bullies, and lots more.  

Also on the show, two very unique performers: comedian JJ Whitehead and music artist Groovy Judy.

Don't sleep on this one... Really great episode.

The Websites:
David Engel - www.MyPirateSchool.com
JJ Whitehead - www.JJWhitehead.net
Groovy Judy - www.GroovyJudy.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes and bonuses.

Sep 29, 2015

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes.

Ezra Buzzington is an actor from Los Angeles and was in the cast of the NBC pirate TV show "Crossbones" as the character Eisengrim. 

This interview previously appeared on my podcast "Being Blackbeard" all about the show Crossbones, which was unfortunately cancelled after its first season.  But since you probably didn't hear it, I thought you might enjoy dipping into some behind the scenes of a great pirate show.  We talk the joy of shooting locales and the art of crafting a side character as an actor.

My co-host in the interview is Tony Dijamco.  Very funny guy.  Be sure to check out his link below too.  

If you'd like to hear the entire Being Blackbeard podcast series (9 episodes), visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com and I'll have a link to the zip file for you.

Under The Crossbones is on iTunes!  To give the show a great launch I need you to go give us a nice 5-star review.  That will catapult us up the New and Noteworthy chart and keeping us from sitting dead in the water.  Thanks!

As of this week we're also on Stitcher, if that's your podcatcher of choice.

Comedy on the show today from Jackie Kashian and music from Lolita Dark. 

The Important Websites:
Ezra Buzzington - www.EzraBuzzington.com
Jackie Kashian - www.JackieKashian.com www.DorkForest.com
Lolita Dark - www.LolitaDark.com
Tony Dijamco - www.TonyDijamco.com
Sep 22, 2015

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes.

Dave Ladage is the creator of the Living Like A Pirate clothing company. 

In this interview we gig into Dave's entrance to the pirate community via Jimmy Buffet's land of Parrotheads.  The people in Hawaiian shirts and margaritas share a thing or two with the Brethren.  We'll get into some of the details of starting your own clothing business as well.

Under The Crossbones is on iTunes!  To give the show a great launch I need you to go give us a nice 5-star review.  That will catapult us up the New and Noteworthy chart and keeping us from sitting dead in the water.  Thanks!

As of this week we're also on Stitcher, if that's your podcatcher of choice.

Comedy on the show today from Gabriel Rutledge and music from Jambo Joe Bones playing the Living Like A Pirate theme song!

The Important Websites:
Living Like A Pirate Clothing - www.LivingLikeAPirate.com
Gabriel Rutledge - www.GabrielRutledge.com
Jambo Joe Bones - www.JamboAcousticMusic.com
Phil Johnson - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Sep 15, 2015

Visit www.UnderTheCrossbones.com for extended show notes.

Don Maitz is a longtime painter of pirate stuff and fantasy and sci-fi book covers.  He's also the creator of the Captain Morgan Rum character.  

In this interview we'll dig into the thought process of an artist that paints things that don't exist, what goes into designing a book cover, the harrowing inside of story of the creation of Captain Morgan, plus lots more.  You'll really enjoy this talk. 

Under The Crossbones is on iTunes this week!  I've submitted the show and it should be up Tuesday-ish.  To give the show a great launch I need you to go give us a nice 5-star review.  That will catapult us up the New and Notable chart and keeping us from sitting dead in the water.  Thanks!

Comedy on the show today from David Neiker and music from yours truly Phil Johnson and Roadside Attraction.

The Important Websites:
Don Maitz - www.paravia.com/DonMaitz
Janny Wurts (Don't wife) - www.paravia.com/JannyWurts
David Neiker - www.theinternetiswastingmytime.com
Phil Johnson and Roadside Attraction - www.RoadsideAttraction.com

Sep 8, 2015

A bit of a different format for this show.  I've got two shorter interviews for you this week. 

The first is with costumer Brandon Berry of the New England Brethren of Pirates.  They're a costuming group that does events and tons of charity work.  We talk about how the idea came out of the Flying 501st of Star Wars costumers, the trials of running a business like this, and how he got into it.

The second interview is with Al Mueller, aka Captain Robertsgrave Thighbiter, of The Brigands,a really fun pirate band with a naughty sense of humor.  And of course, I'll play you a bit of their music.

Plus some great comedy about sandwiches (really) from Jon Maddy.

Check out some videos and more information at www.UnderTheCrossbones.com

Next week I'll be putting the show up on iTunes and I'll need your help to give it a great launch.  Reviews, listens, and subscribes will help make this show successful and help me keep bringing you these great guests.  And I've got some real doozies in the pipeline. :)

 

Sep 1, 2015

My guest on this podcast is head of the Long John Silver Trust, Mark Steeds.  The trust is working towards erecting a statue of Robert Louis Stevenson's immortal character in his birth place, Bristol England.

Plenty of good pirate and Treasure Island stuff here. Plus we get into what it's like to try and convince a city to celebrate something it's not particularly proud of.

You'll also hear comedy from Mike Baldwin and a great song called "Enchante" by Tah Phrum Duh Bush.

Important Websites:
Long John Silver Trust: www.LongJohnSilverTrust.co.uk
Mike Baldwin: www.ComedianMikeBaldwin.com
Tah Phrum Duh Bush: www.TahOnline.com
Under The Crossbones Official Site - www.UnderTheCrossbones.com
Phil's Comedy and Music - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Aug 31, 2015

It's Ladies Day on Under The Crossbones!

My guest on this podcast is pirate author and historian, Cindy Vallar.  Here website is a treasure trove of ways to waste your work hours reading about pirates instead of getting work done.

We'll get deep on pirates, but also talk about the craft of writing and how Cindy used writing to relax after her day job of working with emotionally challenged teens.

You'll also hear comedy from Sandra Risser and a great song called "So Sweet" by Monica Marquis.

Important Websites:
Cindy Vallar - www.CindyVallar.com
Sandra Risser - www.SandraRisser.com
Monica Marquis - www.MonicaMarquis.com
Under The Crossbones Official Site - www.UnderTheCrossbones.com
Phil's Comedy and Music - www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Aug 18, 2015

My first musical guest of the show is Tom Mason of Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers.  

Tom travels the world bringing his pirate music to pirate fests, tall ships festivals, fairs, and anywhere that needs a solid pirate jam.

We'll get into Tom's history and the unlikely route that helped him find his niche in the music industry.  It's a really interesting discussion about being a musician in the modern age.

Due to an unfortunate digital glitch of some sort, the last 10 minutes of the interview are a bit distorted.  I didn't know about it until the editing phase.  I've left it in for completeness, but feel free to fast forward 10 minutes.

Also in this episode you'll hear some stand-up comedy from Mean Dave and, of course, some great pirate music from Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers.

The Websites:
Podcast: www.UnderTheCrossbones.com
Tom Mason: www.TomMason.net
Comedian Mean Dave: https://www.facebook.com/meandavesnothere
Phil Johnson: www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com

Aug 10, 2015

 What a way to start the show!  Captain John Swallow and QM Seika Hellbound started NOLA Pyrate Week 8 years ago.  And not just to dress up like pirates and drink like crazy while enjoying the magic that is New Orleans. They've also done a ton of charity work along the way for LowerNine, Gulf Restoration Network, the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, and more.

Their motto?  "Take what ye can get. Give something back."  You'll find that to be a running theme among a lot of my guests on the show.

John and Seika were the first people I asked to interview and for good reason.  They are a fount of pirate history knowledge.  So if you're new to the subject, jump right in and get your feet wet with pirate lore.

Plus they've both traced their lineages back to real pirates and we get into those stories in depth in this episode.

We were dealing with a few weird sound issues on my end which is why you won't hear a lot from me during the interview.  But with the stories these two have to tell you don't want to hear me yapping anyway. :)

Also featured in this episode are comedian Tim Babb (with some pirate humor..) and comedy musician Chris Valenti.  Both really talented dudes.  Be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode.

The Websites:
NOLA Pyrate Week: www.NOLAPyrateWeek.com
More killer pirate photos from Robert Warren: www.isthisinc.com/2015/03/portrait-of-a-pyrate/
Comedian Tim Babb: www.tancast.com/tim
Musician Chris Valenti: www.ChrisValentiMusic.com
Phil's Digital Box Set: www.PhilJComedy.com

 

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