S & M Comedy Podcast
SMCOMEDY.COM
Happy Pointless Birthday
Alright, let's get this out of the way quick and easy: No show at Monkey Pants this Thursday because of bar caroling. If you want to be involved in bar caroling, go down to Pants at 6.30, pay $60, and you will be driven from bar to bar in a goofy sweater, singing carols and drinking a shitload. Your money covers drinks and tips at all bars. It's a good deal and a great time; no comedy show, though. Also, Steve Marek will be at the Comedy Spot on 12/18. Visit www.thecomedyspot.net for more information.
Now, for the business at hand. This Friday, 12/16/11, will be the 50th birthday of Bill Hicks. Hicks was an amazing comedian that never held back, never compromised, consciously attempting to further his art by injecting his acerbic judgements of life, religion, and culture into his stand-up. He could shock an audience with his vulgarity and his morality, sometimes in the same sentence. He paved the way for countless comedians to speak their minds about what they saw was wrong with the world, and to do it within the confines of a comedy stage. There were some before him, like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, but those guys weren't Hicks, shouting and screaming from the stage, sweat dripping, leaving bits of soul on the stage, dying to have his truth heard.
Now, for the business at hand. This Friday, 12/16/11, will be the 50th birthday of Bill Hicks. Hicks was an amazing comedian that never held back, never compromised, consciously attempting to further his art by injecting his acerbic judgements of life, religion, and culture into his stand-up. He could shock an audience with his vulgarity and his morality, sometimes in the same sentence. He paved the way for countless comedians to speak their minds about what they saw was wrong with the world, and to do it within the confines of a comedy stage. There were some before him, like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, but those guys weren't Hicks, shouting and screaming from the stage, sweat dripping, leaving bits of soul on the stage, dying to have his truth heard.
Bill Hicks is the reason why this podcast exists. When I first met Steve in 2001, we both knew Hicks' comedy, and it was the only thing we had in common. It was the springboard for everything else that came after. From there we learned to appreciate or tolerate each other's taste in music, we played in bands together, and we started our own adventures in comedy together directly because of Hicks' influence on us.
When we first started going to shows, we were very pleasantly surprised by the caliber of the local performers, but it didn't take long for us to realise that the local comedians just didn't quite have OUR voice. They were making us laugh, but they weren't shining a light on a dark subject like we wanted to. They were entertaining audiences, but they weren't shouting from the pulpit like we felt we could. They were getting laughs, but they weren't changing minds...and that's why we started doing comedy.
Of course, there's been a lot of learning since we started doing stand-up. Lesson 1. It's impossible to get good laughs, subvert a paradigm, and ignite the lust of every woman in the room when you have a mere 6-8 minutes to perform. Lesson 2. The more we learn, the more we realise just how vast is the gap between Hicks' stand-up and our own. Lesson 3. Read Lesson 2 until your eyes dry out.
No one has affected us nearly as much as Hicks. Recently at work, after listening to 2005's "Sane Man" on Netflix, I turned to Steve and said, "Patton who?" After leaving a screening of "American: The Bill Hicks Story" at Madcap Theaters, Steve jokingly told me he was quitting comedy. Something in Hicks' material gets under our skin and gives us chills. Something in Hicks' performances makes us believe that if we can find a similar freedom on stage, maybe we'll be happy.
I don't ordinarily care about the birthdays of dead people- hell, I don't ordinarily care about the birthdays of living people. This one matters to me, however. Maybe it's because I want to follow Bill Hicks' trajectory so tightly, because I want to emulate him so badly, because I want to bear his flag into the great spiritual and cultural battles that are waging right now, that I'm thinking of his birthday. That Hicks would've had 17 more years of experience today to apply to the crashing Euro, to the Occupy Wall Street movement, and to the deplorable state of American politics is an awe-inspiring idea.
But that's a what-if that can never be answered, and will only take up valuable time and creativity. It's far more important that we at the S&M Comedy Podcast simply issue a fondest of happy birthday wishes to the ether, pick up a mic and keep blurting out in the name of truth, to never back down, and never stop growing. That is the truest emulation of Hicks that we can muster, and the most fitting tribute to his memory that we can offer.
Episode 21: Kyle Cease A-GoGo
| Download | Duration: 01:17:23
This week's podcast features our conversation with national comedian, actor, and renowned motivational speaker Kyle Cease. You may know Kyle from his 2007 one-hour Comedy Central special, "Kyle Cease: Weirder. Blacker. Dimpler." and roles in "Not Another Teen Movie" and "10 Things I Hate About You."
Kyle was in town, performing two nights at The Comedy Spot in Scottsdale, and he was gracious enough to speak with us in the bar at the Spot while waiting to go onstage. It was a good talk, one we were very excited to get, because Kyle is known for his ability to help comedians improve their performances, their love lives, their hair growth, their penis size, and earn millions upon millions of dollars. OH YES HE CAN!
This Thursday at Monkey Pants, feel the natural ebb and flow of life and comedy with Kingsley Amukamara, Christian Avila, Jeff Turbitt, Brian Lester, David Giordano, Jimmie Whisman, Jorge Ruiz, Kevin Maxwell, Marc Crossman, Remy Burgess and Travis Lee. Find peace and stillness through laughter and hot dogs.
Pertinent Links:
Your one stop Kyle Cease shop, complete with videos, twitter links, and performance schedules: http://kylecease.com/
Like the podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smcomedy
Email us at smcomedysucks@gmail.com
Thanks for listening, keep coming out to shows and supporting the Live, Local, Breathing, Expanding, Shrinking, All-Knowing, All-Loving PHX Comedy Scene!
Oh the Exhaustion
The holidays have descended without mercy. Nightfall comes early these days, sapping the energy of every living creature with relentless bleakness and piercing chill. All the zest with which you normally approach your days is just out of reach, shrouded in a dense fog of shopping in bland malls for gifts to render a weak, fleeting joy from someone you grow further apart from year after year. You wake every morning in the cold and dark, feeling like a fat waif wandering Depression-era alleys searching for a crust of bread to sustain your body one more miserable day. If only there were something to take your mind off the seemingly neverending onslaught of lethargic apathy punctuated by moments of despair- something to make you laugh for a while, share a timely endorphin-releasing memory with friends, maybe even meet a girl or three. Something like...shutting the fuck up and going to a comedy show. Yeah. That's nice.
Upcoming shows for us: Jamie Sanderson will be at the Icehouse Tavern on 11/30 for the Genevieve Rice Snark Show.
This Thursday at Monkey Pants, feel the joy of pain and the pain of joy with Kon Stamadianos, Teddy Bearskovich, Alex Lightfoot, Dan Hull, Derek Williams, Dustin Elkin, Jerry Rider, Josh Stark, KB Bolin, Markus "Booge" WIlliams, Michael Sanchez, and...and...oh god, do I have to type this...and Tampon Man.
Thanks for reading, keep coming out to shows and supporting the Live, Local, Button Bursting PHX Comedy Scene!
Episode 20: Howard Hughes Vs. The World
| Download | Duration: 01:23:27
Today we share with you our interview of Howard Hughes. Howard runs Stand-Up Scottsdale, a comedy venue that, in less than two years, has grown from a side room at a rock & roll club to a side room at a hotel restaurant into the current incarnation, a free-standing comedy club boasting a small-stage lounge for local open mics and a large main room with two bars and 170 seats!
Howard Hughes tends to be a bit of a lightning rod on the local comedy scene, as free with his opinions as he is. In this interview, you'll hear opinions as layered as a spring mix salad with dried cranberries, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, and candied pine nuts on topics ranging from educating audiences on comedy, the importance of integrity of material, Phoenix comedy clubs, and humor in Mexico City. Yeah, Mexico City.
Upcoming shows for us: Both Sanderson and Marek will be at the Hidden House on 11/23.
There is no show this Thursday at Monkey Pants due to Thanksgiving. Monkey Pants will still be open, however, in case you need a bacon wrapped deep fried hot dog smothered in nacho cheese to top off all that turkey drowning in a puddle of semidigested mashed potatoes with thick magenta veins of jellied cranberry sauce. Just in case. You can never have your bases too covered.
Pertinent Links:
For upcoming shows at Stand Up Scottsdale, visit http://standupscottsdale.com/
Facebook profiles of Howard Hughes and Stand Up Scottsdale are here, just for you: https://www.facebook.com/HHlive https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stand-up-Scottsdale/119885174690274
Email the podcast at smcomedysucks@gmail.com
Like the podcast on Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcomedy
Thanks for listening, keep coming out to shows and supporting the Live, Local, Overeating, Going Back For Seconds, Who The Hell Took All The Stuffing PHX Comedy Scene!
The Calm Before The Storm Before The Calm
Time for another meanderful blog post!
It's that time of year. You know, that batten down the hatches, get ready for the panic, waiting for the cyclone time of year. Not sure whether to quit going to shows now to find a moment's peace before the tornadic activity of the holiday season, or to hit as many shows as possible to fill up the tank in preparation for all your free time to be swallowed up by the whirlpool of family functions and shopping and overeating and early nightfall. Then, just as the frenetic pace begins to seem normal, the holidays will be gone, and a residue of gluttony and parentally-induced post traumatic stress disorder will be left on our souls, like three consecutive days without a shower. But hey, at least this year you didn't have to sit at the kid's table.
Upcoming shows for us: Jamie Sanderson will be at Stand Up Scottsdale on 11/16. Steve Marek will be at The Comedy Spot on 11/17.
This Thursday at Monkey Pants, the unbridled hilarity of Mike James, Stu Baker, Brian Lester, Mike Gillerman, Brian Kohatsu, Dan Miller, Charlie Speez, Tom Sims, Dave Schnier and Jim Bambrough will make you forget about how much terror you feel when you think of spending the holidays your loser family for at least a little while.
Pertinent Links:
Be the first on your block to like the podcast on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smcomedy
Be the first on your block to email the podcast: smcomedysucks@gmail.com
Be another anonymous face in the hoary throng of comics at Monkey Pants by emailing jokes@monkeypantsbar.com
Thanks for reading; keep coming out to shows and supporting the Live, Local, Seasonal Depression Suffering PHX Comedy Scene!
It's that time of year. You know, that batten down the hatches, get ready for the panic, waiting for the cyclone time of year. Not sure whether to quit going to shows now to find a moment's peace before the tornadic activity of the holiday season, or to hit as many shows as possible to fill up the tank in preparation for all your free time to be swallowed up by the whirlpool of family functions and shopping and overeating and early nightfall. Then, just as the frenetic pace begins to seem normal, the holidays will be gone, and a residue of gluttony and parentally-induced post traumatic stress disorder will be left on our souls, like three consecutive days without a shower. But hey, at least this year you didn't have to sit at the kid's table.
Upcoming shows for us: Jamie Sanderson will be at Stand Up Scottsdale on 11/16. Steve Marek will be at The Comedy Spot on 11/17.
This Thursday at Monkey Pants, the unbridled hilarity of Mike James, Stu Baker, Brian Lester, Mike Gillerman, Brian Kohatsu, Dan Miller, Charlie Speez, Tom Sims, Dave Schnier and Jim Bambrough will make you forget about how much terror you feel when you think of spending the holidays your loser family for at least a little while.
Pertinent Links:
Be the first on your block to like the podcast on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smcomedy
Be the first on your block to email the podcast: smcomedysucks@gmail.com
Be another anonymous face in the hoary throng of comics at Monkey Pants by emailing jokes@monkeypantsbar.com
Thanks for reading; keep coming out to shows and supporting the Live, Local, Seasonal Depression Suffering PHX Comedy Scene!
Episode 19: Sean Dillin Is Who He Thought He Was
| Download | Duration: 01:22:14
In the current paradigm of American language, phrases like "ultimately," "at the end of the day," and "it is what it is" are bandied about when there is nothing left to say about a situation, and it's time for every individual to examine what's going on by using their personal judgement that has been cultivated by their individual genetic makeup and years of unique experience. There are a lot of those moments here in our discussion with Comedy Spot proprietor Sean Dillin.
We got to talk to Sean about his take on the local comedy scene, running his comedy club, and how comedians can improve their performances and further their careers. Having not had much insight into Dillin's personality prior to sitting down with him, in this talk we discovered that as a club owner, his first priority is to his audiences. If an audience is happy, the performer is happy, and that sometimes gets lost in the chaos of the comedic brain, always searching for the next edgiest, most mind-blowing, power-usurping rant to unleash on an unsuspecting comedy crowd.
No, we didn't delve into the drama too deeply, but we got some good insight into a great room and the way it's run, and we look forward to continuing a healthy relationship in the future with the Comedy Spot. Because ultimately, the S&M Comedy Podcast only wants to do good interviews that performers can use to step up their game and become more complete comedians at the end of the day, and those more complete comedians can look back and say, "it isn't what it's not." Or something like that.
Upcoming shows for us: Jamie Sanderson will be at the IceHouse Tavern on 11/10. Steve Marek will be at FlimBar on 11/15.
This Thursday at Monkey Pants, feel the warm intellect and moist humor of Chanzo Tambuzi, Christian Avila, Jon Neal, Matt Storrs, Patrick Rosetti, Ryan Stoltz, Scott Stoyer, Liliya Souslova, Zack Andresen, and Jas Clay! Mmmmmm. Warm and moist....
Pertinent Links:
For all manner of information regarding The Comedy Spot, including events, classes, and booking for open mics, visit www.thecomedyspot.net
Send us mail. No really. smcomedysucks@gmail.com
Sado-masochistic Facebook page!!! www.facebook.com/smcomedy
Thanks for listening; keep coming out to shows and supporting the Live, Local, Buzzword-Dropping, Cliche-Hurling, Playing to Win the Game PHX Comedy Scene!
Age Before Beauty
Hey there. Want a Wednesday blog post? You got it.
It's a few days after Halloween, and Jamie's back still hurts. You read that right. You see, Jamie thought it would be a lot of fun to dress up as a slutty devil in order to make fun of all the hot girls in skimpy outfits that seem to crawl out of the darkness on 10/31. (Although kudos to the hot girl in the Julia Roberts "Pretty Woman" prostitute outfit on Mill Ave. Hot and slutty, with a dollop of witticism on top.) To achieve these mean-spirited ends, Jamie dressed up in a red sequined tube top, red sequined horns, a red tutu, black fishnets and black, thigh-high five-inch heeled boots. Oh, and his esposed white, bulbous, fat, gelatinous protruding beer belly to complete the ensemble. and headed out to Mill with girlfriend and friends to join the hoary throng.
As it turns out, bearded pale fat dudes ironically dressed in skimpy women's outfits are very popular, particularly among hispanic males, aged 24-34. After repeated photo shoots with various passers-by, several enthusiastic young bros hefted Jamie off the ground, flipped him up in the air, and spread his legs to expose the black frilly underwear beneath the red tutu. You read that right as well, friend. The gentlemen returned Jamie bootfirst to the ground with an air of chivalry, albeit a bit clunkily, and now old Jamie's lower back is officially wrenched. It's not often that we say "we're getting too old for this," but when it comes to being contorted in midair by a swarm of horny mexicans to expose frilly underpants, yeah, we're getting too old for this.
Upcoming shows for us: Steve Marek will be at Hidden House on 11/2. Jamie Sanderson is enjoying a break from performance.
It's a few days after Halloween, and Jamie's back still hurts. You read that right. You see, Jamie thought it would be a lot of fun to dress up as a slutty devil in order to make fun of all the hot girls in skimpy outfits that seem to crawl out of the darkness on 10/31. (Although kudos to the hot girl in the Julia Roberts "Pretty Woman" prostitute outfit on Mill Ave. Hot and slutty, with a dollop of witticism on top.) To achieve these mean-spirited ends, Jamie dressed up in a red sequined tube top, red sequined horns, a red tutu, black fishnets and black, thigh-high five-inch heeled boots. Oh, and his esposed white, bulbous, fat, gelatinous protruding beer belly to complete the ensemble. and headed out to Mill with girlfriend and friends to join the hoary throng.
As it turns out, bearded pale fat dudes ironically dressed in skimpy women's outfits are very popular, particularly among hispanic males, aged 24-34. After repeated photo shoots with various passers-by, several enthusiastic young bros hefted Jamie off the ground, flipped him up in the air, and spread his legs to expose the black frilly underwear beneath the red tutu. You read that right as well, friend. The gentlemen returned Jamie bootfirst to the ground with an air of chivalry, albeit a bit clunkily, and now old Jamie's lower back is officially wrenched. It's not often that we say "we're getting too old for this," but when it comes to being contorted in midair by a swarm of horny mexicans to expose frilly underpants, yeah, we're getting too old for this.
Upcoming shows for us: Steve Marek will be at Hidden House on 11/2. Jamie Sanderson is enjoying a break from performance.
Episode 18: Godspeed Sean McCarthy
| Download | Duration: 01:11:17
This week, we have our second Sean McCarthy interview to thrust upon you. We were glad to have Sean back on the podcast and to actually have him at the Official S&M Comedy Card Table, now that Steve's place is no longer under construction, as it was when we recorded episode 14. Sean came over and brought his frenetic whirlwind of energy, churning guinea pigs and musical instruments in his wake. It's easy to fill time when chatting with McCarthy. Good god this motherfucker can talk.
Upcoming shows for us: Steve Marek will be at Casey Jones on 10/26, Handlebar J on 10/31, and Prankster's Too on 11/1. Jamie Sanderson is on a diet and recharging the batteries.
Get your money's worth at another stellar free Monkey Pants Thursday Night Comedy night with Jeffrey Wiles, Brian Lester, Chris Stone, David Giordano, Eric Smith, Hershy Petty, Jim Bambrough, John Higbee, Michael Sanchez, Rick Larsen, Steve Jenkins and Zack Andresen!
Pertinent Links:
View the history of Sean, from Australopithecus to Neanderthal to Modern McCarthy: www.phunnycomic.com
Email us your anti-Wall Street manifesto and we'll read it (no we won't) on the next podcast! smcomedysucks@gmail.com
Like the podcast on Facebook, everyone's doing it! www.facebook.com/smcomedy
Thanks for listening; keep coming out to shows and supporting the Live, Local, Entrepeneurial, Philanthropic, DIY Against All Odds Phoenix Comedy Scene!
Contests and Confidence
From the desk of Steve Marek:
I am not a winner.
I think most of us who get into comedy aren't winners, otherwise we would have succeeded at the dreams we set out for (unless your dream was to be in comedy).
I participated in the finals for a comedy contest this Monday. I never intended to make it into the finals. My philosophy was simply to get stage time, and if I can make people laugh, I win--and I win regardless of actually placing. By some strange twist of fate I took second and advanced to the finals. I competed this past Monday and did horrible, at least in my own eyes.
The problem with competition is that I take it too seriously, not to mention comedy is subjective, so to have a constest is a ridiculous idea in some regards. I'm not knocking this particular contest, its just the reality of any competition involving art. Instead of focusing on doing something that was enjoyable to both myself and the crowd, I spent my time trying to figure out the best way to win, not realizing that both are the same. Ultimately, a comedy contest is just another show. Whether we are performing for $500 or for free we should still be peforming to the best of our ability.
I spent part of Monday night questioning my own existence, but a bad show doesn't signify the end, nor should it signify the end for any of us. I'm always grateful for the opportunity to make people laugh and will continue to do my best in that area.
From the desk of Jamie Sanderson:
I didn't even place in the contest, so fuck that whiny bitch Steve Marek.
Upcoming shows for us: Jamie Sanderson is at Dillon's on Central and Hidden House on 10/19, and at Firestage on 10/21. Steve Marek is at Joe's Grotto on 10/19.
This week at Monkey Pants, come celebrate Charlie Spies' first headlining gig, and be shocked and awed by Amy Donohue, Chris Felix, Dave Schnier, David Mendelsohn, Elliot Kitchens, John Henry, John Kennedy, Kon Stamadianos, Matt Anderson and Stu Baker! Special guests from Los Angeles Ron Babcock, Sean Green, and Cornell Reid will join us to help blow your mind and race your fish!
Thanks for reading; keep coming our and supporting the Live, Local, Non-Day Job Conducive PHX Comedy Scene!
I am not a winner.
I think most of us who get into comedy aren't winners, otherwise we would have succeeded at the dreams we set out for (unless your dream was to be in comedy).
I participated in the finals for a comedy contest this Monday. I never intended to make it into the finals. My philosophy was simply to get stage time, and if I can make people laugh, I win--and I win regardless of actually placing. By some strange twist of fate I took second and advanced to the finals. I competed this past Monday and did horrible, at least in my own eyes.
The problem with competition is that I take it too seriously, not to mention comedy is subjective, so to have a constest is a ridiculous idea in some regards. I'm not knocking this particular contest, its just the reality of any competition involving art. Instead of focusing on doing something that was enjoyable to both myself and the crowd, I spent my time trying to figure out the best way to win, not realizing that both are the same. Ultimately, a comedy contest is just another show. Whether we are performing for $500 or for free we should still be peforming to the best of our ability.
I spent part of Monday night questioning my own existence, but a bad show doesn't signify the end, nor should it signify the end for any of us. I'm always grateful for the opportunity to make people laugh and will continue to do my best in that area.
From the desk of Jamie Sanderson:
I didn't even place in the contest, so fuck that whiny bitch Steve Marek.
Upcoming shows for us: Jamie Sanderson is at Dillon's on Central and Hidden House on 10/19, and at Firestage on 10/21. Steve Marek is at Joe's Grotto on 10/19.
This week at Monkey Pants, come celebrate Charlie Spies' first headlining gig, and be shocked and awed by Amy Donohue, Chris Felix, Dave Schnier, David Mendelsohn, Elliot Kitchens, John Henry, John Kennedy, Kon Stamadianos, Matt Anderson and Stu Baker! Special guests from Los Angeles Ron Babcock, Sean Green, and Cornell Reid will join us to help blow your mind and race your fish!
Thanks for reading; keep coming our and supporting the Live, Local, Non-Day Job Conducive PHX Comedy Scene!
Episode 17: Will Novak Style
| Download | Duration: 01:15:58
Today we're joined by the far-flung, well-traveled, worldly Will Novak. We were giddy with excitement to have Will back here in Phoenix, performing all over the valley- the way it used to be; the way was meant to be. But instead of just being wowed by his smart comedy, we were able to get him to sit down at the card table with us and chat for a while. It was a great time for us because we've always felt a kinship to Will, but when he was living here and we were new, there was no S&M to bring us all together. In our conversation, you'll get to hear a great take on the Phoenix scene and the politics and egos that sometimes keeps comedy in the valley from achieving its full potential. It's the view of a former insider that is now outside and untouchable, and has nothing to lose by trying to fix what's broken. Names are named, ideas are presented. Enjoy.
Upcoming shows for us: Jamie Sanderson will be at Filmbar on 10/18. Steve Marek will be at Toso's on 10/14 and competing in the Handlebar J finals on 10/17.
Check out Steve's band, American Gods, as they open for the incredible Polkadot Cadaver at Chaser's on 10/16.
This Thursday at Monkey Pants, Ricardo Rocha, Alex Levi, Charles Newton, Dustin Elkin, Greg Freiler, Jason Covich, Robbie P, Joe Tullar, Justin Phillips, Teddy Bearskovich and Tim Lavoie will break it down, analyze it, reconstruct it, and present it in new and exciting ways! Feel free to define "it" however you like.
Pertinent Links:
Follow Will on Twitter @RealWillNovak
If you're unfamiliar with Will's performance style, check out some videos at http://www.youtube.com/willnovak
Electronically mail the podcast at smcomedysucks@gmail.com
The podcast is your friend, don't you like your friend? www.facebook.com/smcomedy
Thanks for listening; keep coming out and supporting the Live, Local, Hilariously Nerdy, Intellectually Tittilating PHX Comedy Scene!
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