Rochester Post

The Post-Bulletin

As the son of nationally-known comedian Wild Bill Bauer, Patrick Bauer got a head start in comedy by choosing a stage name.

"A lot of people know my dad," he said. "In certain places that's helpful and sometimes it's not so helpful."

The not-so-helpful part comes from a tradition of comedians' kids doing comedy and not being funny. "I do not want to be associated with that, 'cuz I'm funny," he said.

That's why he's sometimes listed as Patrick Ryan, his given name sans famous last name, and other times as P. Bau, a nickname he picked up while working at Green Mill restaurant in Uptown.

One problem with the nickname though is being associated with a string of people like J. Lo and K. Fed. "I might be lazy, but I'm no K. Fed," he said.

Over the past four years, however, Patrick has made a name for himself, with a little help from dad.

"He never made it seem like that's what he wanted me to do," Patrick said of his choice to get into comedy. "But he also did not give me the impression he didn't. Once I started he was very supportive."

Patrick sometimes opens for his father's shows, which works well because their styles are related.

"Both of our humor is dark and/or twisted, but the similarities end there," Patrick said.

"He has his own eclectic take," Bauer agreed. "And I made a career on being different -- not at all middle-of-the-road."

Bauer has long been known for his profanity-free, manic delivery of bizarre observations, weird personal tales and dark stories. His son, on the other hand, does "dumb Gen. X humor about masturbation and pot," Bauer said.

A few of Patrick's jokes that make him laugh are, "If you're really loaded and you fantasize about some girl, the next day is she ugly?" and "I went out with this weird chick in high school who wanted me to put cigarettes out on her. My folks would have killed me if they knew I was smoking."

Patrick said he got his comedic style from "reading an obscene amount of comic books."

"I'm a fan of Mad Magazine and Cracked and weird humor like the underground anthologies by Robert Crumb," he said.

Patrick also is a member of the Comedy Death Squad, which performs weekly at the Death Comedy Jam hosted by Chris Maddock at Grumpy's in Minneapolis.

In addition to performing, like his father, Patrick is also writing, having recently started writing for "Drinking with Ian," a talk show/sketch comedy show seen on cable access in the Twin Cities.

Bauer, who has several national writing credits to his name, is also working on a new project, called "Sick, Sick, Sick but Funny, Funny, Funny," with Lord Carrett and Dwight York.

As for giving his son comedy advice, Bauer said. "I could but he wouldn't listen."

Go&Do

What: Wild Bill Bauer and Patrick Ryan (Bauer).

When: 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. June 8-9

Where: Goonies Comedy Club in Rochester, 7 Second St. S.W.

Admission: $12 in advance, $15 at the door. www.gooniescomedy.com.

Other information: Wild Bill Bauer can also be heard June 18 as a guest on the "Bob and Tom Show," a morning radio show heard on KRCH Laser 101.7 FM in Rochester.