The Rockin’ World of Stand-up Comedy
Aaron Lefkove |
06.30.2008
The grueling worlds of rock and roll and stand-up comedy have more than a few passing similarities. Both are a cutthroat world of one-night stands, cheap motel rooms, and after-hours excess. So it’s no surprise that the two have an overlapping relationship. Controversial comedian Andrew Dice Clay was banned for life from MTV after his awards show introduction of Cher got a bit out of hand, and David Cross already has a few records out on Sub Pop. From outright lampooning to subtle subversive messages here are seven comedians worth their weight in green room cold cut platters.
George Carlin passed on last week, leaving a gaping hole in the comedy world. So it’s only fair that we pay tribute to the agitated crotchety curmudgeon who went to bat for free speech rights so shock rockers and extreme metal bands, as well as everyone else, could speak their minds. He was even a major proponent of Wyld Stalyns, the band that aspired to open for Iron Maiden but instead went on a trip through time and space to save the galaxy. Some astute shredders may even have first been introduced to the Steinberg headstock-less guitar via Carlin’s character Rufus in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Here’s the unforgettable “Hippy Dippy Weatherman” bit:
Sam Kinison—the Pentecostal preacher turned vitriolic rock and roll comedian—is probably best remembered for his ultra-raunchy rendition of the Troggs’ “Wild Thing.” The video featured cameos from Billy Idol, Slash, Aerosmith, Steve Vai, Richie Sambora, Tommy Lee, and Jessica Hahn! At his height Kinison graced the cover of Rolling Stone, and in fact, Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. was inspired to write the lyrics to the band’s first single, the aptly titled “Animal (F**k Like a Beast)” after seeing Kinison do his act on-stage at the Troubadour in L.A. It was what things like the PMRC were founded to protect you against. So without further adieu here’s “Wild Thing”:
Patton Oswalt has long been sympathetic to the rock and roll life. In fact his HBO comedy special was even called No Reason to Complain and featured the Alarm Clocks’ 1966 mid-Ohio scorcher peppered liberally throughout. Oswalt recently issued a stand-up set available exclusively through the WFMU pledge drive and is one of the pillars of the Comedians of Comedy Tour which plays in rock clubs from Manhattan to, well, Peoria.
Brian Posehn is another of the driving funnymen behind the Comedians of Comedy tour. A Mr. Show regular, Adult Swim writer—popular with the heavy metal-loving, stoned late night set—his stand-up sets are routinely peppered with references to his raging sci-fi, D&D, and heavy metal addictions. They often include music courtesy of Posehn and Titannica, bands that feature the comedian and members of Anthrax, the Cult, and Shadows Fall. In Relapse Records released Posehn’s Live In: Nerd Rage, where he rails against false metal and the Star Wars prequels among other things. Here’s a video by Posehn and the band with cameos from Anthrax’s Scott Ian and Armored Saint/Fate’s Warning’s Joey Vera!
Current Saturday Night Live cast member and all around dude Fred Armisen has more rock cred than your typical touring band. He was married for some time to the Mekons’ Sally Timms, played drums for Chicago post-punks Trenchmouth, and made one very stellar instructional drum video in Jens Hannemann’s Complicated Drumming Technique. Learn how to dominate your next jam session! Consider this the Spinal Tap of the instructional set:
Earles & Jensen’s debut double comedy disc Just Farr a Laugh from Matador records is a holy grail as far as prank phone calls go. The New York by way of Memphis pair attack unwitting victims with hilarious repartee. Gags are aimed squarely at people whose afternoons are usually spent rooting through dollar LP bins. They give hilarious takes on Jason Bonham having a freak-out and checking into Electric Lady studios for some cathartic therapy sans Page and Plant, Morris Day booking dinner reservations, an aspiring blues bassist named Barbara, and the 4 foot 5, 250 lb. Bleachy. In this clip they have MTV’s Kurt Loder aimed squarely in their crosshairs: