Feature / One Question Interviews
Riverboat Gamblers

Words: Loren • January 14, 2014

Riverboat Gamblers
Riverboat Gamblers

Mike Wiebe (Riverboat Gamblers, High Tension Wires)

SPB: In addition to your multiple bands, you've taken to stand-up comedy recently too. What drew you to the medium, and what has struck you the most about it?

Wiebe: I was drawn to it initially just from being such a huge fan of good stand-up since I was a little kid. The idea of getting up on stage without a band or without songs was just petrifying. I was sort of bothered by how much it scared me and it just set up a challenge. It’s been very humbling to have to truly start over at something. It’s really difficult and I feel very amateurish at times. Its humbling and frustrating and exciting. Even if I never get as good as I want to, I think it’s making me a better overall performer.

Also it’s nice not having to lift heavy things before and after a performance.

Loren • January 14, 2014

Riverboat Gamblers
Riverboat Gamblers

Related features

The Drolls

One Question Interviews • July 14, 2026

Denny Bartlett (The Drolls – guitar/vocals) SPB: You’ve been in multiple bands. What is the origin story of The Drolls? What was your radioactive spider? Barltett: I hadn’t played live in almost 20 years and other people I knew from back in the day were getting back into it and … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2026)

Music • July 13, 2026

That's right: we're halfway through 2026 already, although whether that means this year is a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full kind of year... well, the jury's out. But we'll let you know in December. Despite another six months of chaos, war, conflict and uncertainty, one thing in life remains static and reliable: … Read more

The Mistakes

One Question Interviews • July 13, 2026

Shane (The Mistakes) SPB: What is the most tiresome stereotype about punk rock? I think for me the biggest stereotype about punk rock music is that it's simple music for with one core message of Anarchy, but it's so much more. Punk rock is where people can get an education … Read more

Hot Pennies

One Question Interviews • July 10, 2026

Trash (Hot Pennies) SPB: What venue is your favorite to play (and why)? Trash: This is a challenging question. We have a lot of great venues in the Phoenix area. My personal favorite has gotta be Chopper John's for its wily crowd and good times. There's always a great mix … Read more

Middle-Aged Queers

One Question Interviews • July 9, 2026

Fureigh (Middle-Aged Queers) SPB: What is a “greatest hit” that you wanted to include in the live set or album but the rest of the band shot down? Fureigh: We’ve received requests for “Pump Up the Jam” [by Technotronic], but the world’ll just have to wait. And “Keep On Livin”’ … Read more

Related news

FEST 22 lineup, ticket info posted

Posted in Shows on April 20, 2024

Riverboat Gamblers curate AC Hell Fest

Posted in Shows on September 12, 2023

Riverboat Gamblers' Something To Crow About

Posted in Records on August 18, 2023

Related reviews

The Riverboat Gamblers

The Wolf You Feed
Volcom (2012)

The Riverboat Gamblers are an established band. So much so that it surprised me to see that The Wolf You Feed is just their fifth full-length, following last year’s Smash/Grab EP. With that history, they’ve jumped styles and labels, going unfettered rock to slick anthems, and successfully straddling the lines between punk, hard rock, and garage. The Wolf You Feed … Read more

The Riverboat Gamblers

Smash/Grab EP
Paper + Plastick (2011)

When The Riverboat Gamblers released their last full length, Underneath the Owl, many fans were put off by the cleaner production and poppier approach. Their newest EP, Smash/Grab, was a return to the raw sound and more aggressive song writing, but offers something different by blending in a bit of Garage-Rock.The first of the 4-song EP is arguably the weakest … Read more

More from this section

The Drolls

One Question Interviews • July 14, 2026

Denny Bartlett (The Drolls – guitar/vocals) SPB: You’ve been in multiple bands. What is the origin story of The Drolls? What was your radioactive spider? Barltett: I hadn’t played live in almost 20 years and other people I knew from back in the day were getting back into it and … Read more

The Mistakes

One Question Interviews • July 13, 2026

Shane (The Mistakes) SPB: What is the most tiresome stereotype about punk rock? I think for me the biggest stereotype about punk rock music is that it's simple music for with one core message of Anarchy, but it's so much more. Punk rock is where people can get an education … Read more

Hot Pennies

One Question Interviews • July 10, 2026

Trash (Hot Pennies) SPB: What venue is your favorite to play (and why)? Trash: This is a challenging question. We have a lot of great venues in the Phoenix area. My personal favorite has gotta be Chopper John's for its wily crowd and good times. There's always a great mix … Read more