Brian Wecht: Difference between revisions

{{short description|American Internet personality and musician (born 1975)}}

{{Infobox musical artistperson

| name = Brian Wecht

| image = File:Ninja Sex Party on the set of Next To You (Brian closeup).jpg

| caption = Wecht as his Ninja Brian character in 2012

| birth_nameother_names = Ninja Brian, AlexanderTrey WechtMagnifique

| aliasbirth_name = Brian =Alexander Ninja BrianWecht

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|4|22}}

| birth_place = [[Pompton Plains, New Jersey]], U.S.

| thesis_url=https://rogerwww.ucsdproquest.educom/record=b9688118~S9docview/305205354

'''Brian Alexander Wecht''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://inspirehep.net/record/1020184|title=Record #1020184|website=[[INSPIRE-HEP]]}}</ref> also known by his character name '''Ninja Brian''', is an American musician, [[Internet celebrity|Internet personality]], podcaster, and [[Theoretical physics|theoretical physicist]]. He is best known as a member of [[comedy rock|comedy]] [[musical duo]] [[Ninja Sex Party]] and video game-based comedy music trio [[Starbomb]]. He has also been a past member of the affiliated [[Let's Play]] webseries ''[[Game Grumps]]'', all three alongside [[Dan Avidan]].

Wecht originally worked as a theoretical physicist, and notably held research positions at [[Harvard University]], the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], the [[Institute for Advanced Study]], the [[University of Michigan]], and the [[Queen Mary University of London]].<ref name="Ph.D"/><ref name="NECSS"/> Specialized in [[particle physics]], his work included research on [[string theory]], [[supersymmetry]], and [[quantum field theory]].<ref name="string theory"/><ref name="Perimeter Institute"/> He retired in 2015, choosing to join ''Game Grumps'' while focusing on his musical career.<ref name="Tales of Strawberries and Cream"/> He is also the co-creator of ''The Story Collider'', a science-based story telling podcast recorded in front of a live audience.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pratfalls of Parenting|url=https://www.ias.edu/scholars/brian-wecht|website=Pratfalls of Parenting|date=December 9, 2019}}</ref>

In [[Ninja Sex Party]], Wecht plays the character of "Ninja Brian", ana uncommunicativenon-verbal, homicidal masked [[ninja]], in both live shows and music videos. He performed all instruments on early Ninja Sex Party albums, until [[TWRP (band)|TWRP]] started acting as their [[Backup band|backing band]] in 2015. SinceWecht Mayalso 2018,co-hosts the podcast ''Leighton Night with Brian Wecht'' alsoand portrays Ninja Brian on his own live comedy show titled ''Ninja Brian's All-Star Variety Luau Spectacular''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ticketfly.com/event/1706187-ninja-brians-all-star-variety-houston/|title=Ninja Brian's All-Star Variety Luau Spectacular – Tickets – The Ballroom at Warehouse|website=Ticketfly|access-date=July 29, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727024507/https://www.ticketfly.com/event/1706187-ninja-brians-all-star-variety-houston/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hardrockhotel.com/las-vegas-entertainment/VINYL-ninja-brians-2018.php|title=Ninja Brian's All-Star Variety Luau Spectacular|website=Hard Rock Hotel|access-date=July 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727024407/https://hardrockhotel.com/las-vegas-entertainment/VINYL-ninja-brians-2018.php|archive-date=July 27, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite newstweet|urluser=https://twitter.com/bwecht/status/|number=992476880405192704?lang|language=en|title=Tweet fromNinja Brian's WechtAll-Star Variety Luau Spectacular will be having its first-ever LA show at @theroxy on May 16th! Music! Comedy! Other weird stuff! With @SuperMegaShow @JPincorporated Sugar Rum Tantrum & more!|last=Wecht|first=Brian|work=Twitter|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Primarycite sourceweb|url=https://houseofindependents.com/calendar/8419445/ninja-brian-s-all-star-variety-luau-spectacular/|website=HouseofIndependents|title=Ninja Brian's All Star Variety Luau Spectacular inlineShow|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=March 20193, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leighton-night-with-brian-wecht/id1497595112|website=Apple|title=Leighton Night With Brian Wecht|access-date=March 3, 2022}}</ref>

Wecht attended [[Williams College]] and the [[University of California, San Diego]] where he obtained his PhD in [[particle physics]] in 2004.<ref name="Ph.D">{{cite web|title=Brian Wecht – Institute for Advanced Study|url=https://www.ias.edu/scholars/brian-wecht|website=IAS|date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> Wecht held research positions at [[Harvard University]], the [[MIT Center for Theoretical Physics|Center for Theoretical Physics]] at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], the [[Institute for Advanced Study]], and the [[University of Michigan]], prior to becoming a faculty member at the [[Queen Mary University of London]].<ref name="NECSS">{{cite web|title=Brian Wecht – NECSS|url=https://necss.org/brian-wecht/|website=NECSS|access-date=May 9, 2017|archive-date=November 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125030731/https://necss.org/brian-wecht/|url-status=dead}}</ref> While there, Wecht worked on [[string theory]], [[supersymmetry]], and [[quantum field theory]].<ref name="string theory">{{cite web|title=TALK NERDY|url=http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/talk-nerdy-with-cara-santa-maria/e/episode-146-brian-wecht-49195182|website=Stitcher}}</ref><ref name="Perimeter Institute">{{cite web|title=Brian Wecht – Perimeter Institute|url=https://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/people/brian-wecht|publisher=Perimeter Institute}}</ref>

Wecht has an extensive record of highly cited contributions.<ref>[https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=Brian+Wecht&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C33&as_sdtp=] Google scholar</ref> He retired in 2015 to join ''Game Grumps'' and dedicate himself to his music career.<ref name="Tales of Strawberries and Cream">{{cite web|title=Ninja Sex Party Tales of Strawberries and Cream|url=http://www.livingmythmedia.com/blog/2013/07/11/ninja-sex-party-tales-of-strawberries-and-cream/|website=Living Myth Media|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316055249/http://www.livingmythmedia.com/blog/2013/07/11/ninja-sex-party-tales-of-strawberries-and-cream/|archivedate=March 16, 2014}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2023}}

Wecht's bandmate [[Dan Avidan]] had been the co-host of the [[Let's Play]] webseries ''[[Game Grumps]]'' since 2013. The same year, Wecht, Avidan, and Avidan's ''Game Grumps'' co-host [[Arin Hanson]] formed [[Starbomb]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duelinganalogs.com/video/luigis-ballad/|title=Luigi's Ballad|publisher=[[Dueling Analogs]]|first=Steve|last=Napierski|date=December 19, 2013|accessdate=March 15, 2014}}</ref> This new comedy band followed the humorous style of Ninja Sex Party, but focused on video game parodies. The project was officially revealed on December 3, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://showyou.com/v/y-DU-HvaBSVAU/egoraptor-and-nsp-are-starbomb?u=egoraptor|title=Egoraptor and NSP are STARBOMB!|work=Arin Hanson|publisher=Show You|accessdate=December 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pixcelation.com/2013/12/02/egoraptor-and-ninja-sex-party-announce-their-newest-project-starbomb/|title=Egoraptor and Ninja Sex Party announce their newest project: STARBOMB|last=Herd|first=James|work=Pixcelation Entertainment|publisher=[[WordPress]]|accessdate=December 18, 2013}}</ref> It was quickly followed by a [[Starbomb (album)|self-titled album]] on December 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBOsCcyjhcU|title=Starbomb Is Coming NEXT WEEK!|work=Ninja Sex Party|publisher=YouTube, Google|accessdate=December 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxCQlX2JLos|title=STARBOMB Debut Album Pre-Order – GET HYPED!!|work=Game Grumps|publisher=YouTube, Google|accessdate=December 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kaCocF_nFU|title=Starbomb drops TOMORROW!|work=Ninja Sex Party|publisher=YouTube, Google|accessdate=December 18, 2013}}</ref> A second album, ''[[Player Select]]'', was released on December 16, 2014.

Starbomb's third album, ''[[The TryForce]]'', was released on April 19, 2019.<ref>[{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPz22O-gp4Q|title = 2019 Game Grumps Updates + More!|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>[{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5zL3FMyoq8|title = REGRETROID - Starbomb 3D Animated Music Video (By Antony Manley)|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Egoraptor|title=REGRETROID – Starbomb 3D Animated Music Video (by Antony Manley)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5zL3FMyoq8&t=0s|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>

Wecht officially joined the ''Game Grumps'' team alongside Avidan and Hanson on November 5, 2015, becoming their new [[Social media marketing|social media manager]]; he had occasionally appeared in their videos, mainly alongside Avidan to promote Ninja Sex Party.<ref name="Tales of Strawberries and Cream"/> The team officially introduced him via a humorous sketch featured at the beginning of their ''[[BurgerTime]]'' video, "revealing" him to be the secret mastermind behind ''Game Grumps'' all along.<ref name="BurgerTime">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geMeTxDtF3w&index=2&list=PLRQGRBgN_EnqIWG6TuaGLWmn9NLcaHi7P|title=Burger Time – Grumpcade|last=GameGrumps|date=November 5, 2015|accessdate=November 26, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref>

He is occasionally featured in some of their videos, mostly in ''Grumpcade'' and ''Steam Train'', but also in several non-gameplay videos.<ref name="BurgerTime"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRG417cEpG0&index=1&list=PLRQGRBgN_EnqIWG6TuaGLWmn9NLcaHi7P|title=Elevator Action – Grumpcade|last=GameGrumps|date=November 17, 2015|accessdate=November 26, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsnuVYU1tOA|title=The Ad Monster – GrumpOut|last=GrumpOut|date=April 26, 2016|accessdate=November 26, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref> He was the co-writer, composer and [[puppeteer]] on their promotional short ''I Burgie Burgie'', and its sequel ''All Hail Burgie''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czgYrAfn2U|title=I Burgie Burgie – NEW SHIRT!!|last=GameGrumps|date=August 14, 2015|accessdate=November 26, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDw2SrL2R-M|title=All Hail Burgie – Spooky Halloween Shirt!|last=GameGrumps|date=October 3, 2015|accessdate=November 26, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref>

Wecht appeared in an episode of ''Hot Pepper Game Review'' episode on September 16, 2013, "reviewing" the video game ''[[Dark (video game)|Dark]]'' under his Ninja Brian persona after eating a "very spicy" [[chili pepper]]; the episode is a joke, as Ninja Brian simply stares at the camera in silence for the entire episode, not blinking a single time in almost four minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQGPNWTBbj0|title=Dark – Hot Pepper Game Review feat. Ninja Brian|last=Hot Pepper Gaming|date=September 16, 2013|accessdate=November 26, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref> Although his mouth is not visible, Wecht confirmed that he did actually eat the pepper while filming.<ref>{{cite webtweet|urluser=https://twitter.com/bwecht/status/|number=614429084395941888|title=@bwechtYes, onI Twitter|date=Juneate 26the pepper. Yes, 2015this is a single take with no cuts. No, it wasn't easy.|accessdateaccess-date=November 26, 2017|vialast=Wecht|first=Brian|language=Twitteren}}</ref>

Alongside fellow ''Game Grumps'' member Barry Kramer and [[Rooster Teeth]] writer Miles Luna, Wecht co-wrote the episode [[List of Red vs. Blue (seasonepisodes#Season 14 (2016)#Episodes|"Grey vs. Gray"]] of ''[[Red vs. Blue]]''.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=bwecht|number=765019918282596353|title=I wrote an episode of Red vs Blue with @razzadoop & @TheMilesLuna! Check it out|last=Wecht|first=Brian|language=en|link=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitterwww.imdb.com/bwechttitle/statustt07868044/765019918282596353fullcredits|title=BrianGrey Wechtvs. tweetGray Credits|website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref>

* ''[[Strawberries and Cream (album)|Strawberries and Cream]]'' (2013)

Wecht has a PhD and one of his inspirations for becoming a theoretical physicist was the television series ''[[Quantum Leap (1989 TV series)|Quantum Leap]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7ehqpbm4LU|title=Zelda Tri Force Heroes: Ultimate Lifeform – PART 1 – Grumpcade|last=GameGrumps|date=November 10, 2015|accessdate=November 26, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref> He hasis strongly negative views on [[Vaccine hesitancy|being antipro-vaccine]], and towardsis critical of the use of [[pseudoscience]] over scientifically-proven treatments for serious illnesses and diseases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/gamegrumps/comments/410qvl/hey_guys_its_brian_im_on_a_plane_ask_me_stuff/cyyppor/|title=Hey guys, it's Brian. I'm on a plane. Ask me stuff! • r/gamegrumps|website=reddit|date=January 15, 2016|accessdate=November 26, 2017}}</ref>

[[Category:TheoreticalStarbomb physicistsmembers]]

[[Category:MIT Center for Theoretical Physics alumnipeople]]

[[Category:StarbombComedians membersfrom New Jersey]]