A Conversation with Steve of the Hive Scum
So today we are talking to Steve, known as Sovth of Heaven on the socials. He is the creator of Under the Dice Zine, one of the co-founders of The Hive Scum podcast and the author of the ill-fated naval combat game Tides of Neptune. Despite having nerd friends in common, we only recently met in person at a small gathering of hobby enthusiasts, but like many of us Hive Scum fans - I had felt like I had already lived inside his brain for the last year.
Two 10’s living their best nerd lives trying to out grin each other.
Lovingly described by the mighty bearded shaman, It’s What Evan, as having “Full Send, Zero Chill” Hobby Energy (which sent me frantically googling American to British translations). Practically, this manifests as a 1000-watt smile, covered in tattoos and chainmail dishing out a high conviction brand of energy, creativity and encouragement.
Coupled with a willingness to organise, travel (and in some cases cajole) others into getting stuck into the 28 community – this mutherflipper is a goddamn hurricane. 13/10 would recommend getting to know him.*
*Win his trust with boost bars. Don’t be a dick.
Hey Steve, Let’s Do THIS THING
So I only heard you make one negative comment all weekend - about your parents having not yet shown up to the event. Did they or do you want one of us dads to legally adopt you?
Ah, they did turn up later! My Mum stopped by and brought my niece and my dad showed up later too.
Awesome. Well, if you do change your mind I can offer you dual citizenship, a boost on your birthday and won’t even insist that you call me Daddio.
What did they think of it?
My dad couldn’t believe the creative effort and talent that went into creating the 50 miniature cityscapes that people were playing on. He was blown away that I had built my own boards from scratch.
No bloody wonder his Dad was impressed…Look at this insanity. These were Steve’s boards (plural) for a recent small gathering of hobbists. I saw it in the flesh - as impressive as you can see and imagine.
Are they creative too?
Growing up I painted with my Mom. My Dad didn’t really have hobbies for a long time when I was a kid, all he did was work. But he did periodically try things like making stained glass for lamps and windows and was amazing at it. But recently, since he is working less has recently started painted figurines too – figures of animals and is a killer talent. It is great to see him leaning into it.
I painted with my Mum too! I think that they might be the unsung heroes of the hobby. I can also confirm boomer dads becoming Nerds is great. Strong recommend. My dad has taken up wood turning, and he is crushing it.
Dad Hobby! Steve’s Dad showing excellent hobby skills with his beautifully painted doggo and a wooden bowl turned by my Dad. Get more boomer Dad’s doing hobbies!
When we met, we talked about being proud nerds. How did you get there?
I initially had a really hard time embracing this side of the hobby.
You and me both, Pal – I mean “Cupboard of Shame” kind of says it all
Under the Dice was an attempt to be prouder of it and to specifically fuse my love of the music, hobby, and movies. I am really leaning into this.
Being a firefighter – there is a lot of macho culture/toxic masculinity. But…there are actually a lot of stealth 40k players hiding in the hobby closet. I was a competitive 40k player for a bit. I met lots of jocks playing 40k, and they would be at tournaments in their sports jersey. The duality of this is really interesting.
You mentioned hiding in the hobby closet - I was definitely guilty of this. What is it like Stateside?
If you are expressive about the things you like and people see you having fun - it is either threatening or it brings them together.
When I started bringing in models to paint at work. Initially, I took shit but then people started making comments about how chill and happy I looked.
One of my colleagues – then got into AoS and is now in the New England War Council Age of Sigmar narrative league. People don’t get it until they do.
There isn’t a closet on earth that could hide this level of full nitro BDE (big dork energy).
It can be hard to get over the barrier to get along to events/meet people etc? How was this for you when you started out getting into the hobby again?
When I told friends and family about wanting to jump on a plane to England to go and play D&D with the Dungeon Punx – they thought I was kind of mad.
I agree – objectively it feels a bit weird but the more I have thought about it as a scene like skating or being in bands – it makes more sense to me.
Yeah – I agree it does feel like being in bands and there is a lot of overlap. I know a bunch of people in the Inq28 who have a background in bands and shows. Music + Warhammer = Awesome.
Were you an organiser first or Nerd?
We all spoke about our origin story on the pod recently, where I shared some of this already, but I was a nerd first and foremost.
All of my brothers played Necromunda. They are 6 – 8 years older. I remember being about 10 and watching them play. Sitting and watching your older brothers play – who at the time you think they are the coolest people I know. Was really formative.
I looked at the Necromunda rulebook – and the art blew my mind. The Escher image, the pit fighter with chainsaw arms.
Ahhh, the original Necromunda rulebook. Just the innocent, wholesome fun that didn’t affect any of us at formative ages for the rest of our entire lives.
When I got older (6th grade) – the Lord of the Rings miniatures game dropped. We made up the rules, hitting on 4’s, wounding on 5’s. The bomb orc blew up on a 4+. I would play the human’s and elves and my brother would play Orcs.
Me and my brother built a Helm’s Deep Board - 6 x 4! We got the official Helm’s Deep Painted scenery. The board took up 80% of my room space.
A rare image of the then 8-year old, Steve valiantly attempting to create his Helm’s Deep board.
I threw it away later when my friends came over and told me it was stupid.* But I got back into Warhammer Fantasy Battle a couple of years later.
Then around four years ago, I started organising MTG events to raise money for a local animal shelter.
I then saw the events Bill (that would be gentleman terrain builder, Bill Ford) was doing down in Texas and photos from the Italian Mordheim events and got inspired.
*(editorial note: do we count these are real friends for this bullshit?)
What prompted Hive Scum? What did they have in mind when it started?
Once I met Gage – a few years ago – I have known Phil and Terry for ever. I met Gage at Terry’s Batchelor party. Terry already had the recording gear and we just tried by doing it.
It is 4 friends in a group chat talking together. Let’s be this for ourselves and others.
Well, if these people can do podcasts, then we can’t we try. We threw our hat in the ring. Sometimes I think the pod is literally about nothing and then we go and get things like Uncle Atom’s award of the year. Madness.
If you put it on whilst painting and it is like being sat in the pub with friends chatting shit. These are people you don’t know – but they feel like your best friends.
I remembers the feeling – if his podcast can do that for people it is fucking sick.
The Hive Scum! From right to left: Marky, Ricky, Danny, Terry, Mikey, Davey, Timmy, Tommy, Joey, Robby, Johnny, and Brian.
How are they managing becoming influencers/personas/personalities?
I am just some asshole talking about something that I am interested in. My biggest gripe is the air of grandeur that can creep in/come with it.
Sometimes it can be weird. When a person you don’t know, engages you about something you said on the pod.
The pod is recorded 2-weeks before, we all listen to it a few days after. I just say things into the mike, listen to it once and then it is gone.
When people engage in the Discord…you said that thing. I doesn’t remember. People are engaging with you like they are your boy - it can be a bit jarring.
Yeah – from my experience you have to get on a plane and bring you chocolate to really bring the best out of you.
What would you like to see more of in the hobby?
A brief pause on new games whilst I catch up! I would like to see less new games, as I feel pressured to read them and play them. I am really struggling with this right now.
It stresses me out and I want to be supportive but I am playing Age of Sigmare and One Page Rules.
The FOMO is real.
Intention for Hive Scum, NEMO? What does great look like?
New England Dungeon Siege with the Hive Scum. We have discussed switching dates towards October. We are thinking of doing an event in the fall.
Fuck. Yes. Sign me up.
Hard to beat these vibes.
Anything we haven’t discussed/AoB / Shout-outs?
The people* that show up for us:
The Weirs
The guys in Richmond - Martin McCoy, Gundam Mike
Not Bill Ford – skipping NEMO for his daughters’ birthday.
All the bands that support us and played at the event – with a special shout out to Chained To the Bottom of the Ocean.
*Steve proceeded to bascially list every attendee at NEMO. So you are probably on the list I just missed it.
Conclusion
Steve is a hobby gem. An organiser, champion, and game designer (more on that in a future post). Enjoy his pod, read his blog, play his game. If you do meet him at a con, hide a boost bar in your back pocket and approach slowly so as not to spook him. 13/10 – would recommend getting to know him.
