on stage continued from page 26
Do you have to do anything differ- ently when working in front of a gay audience? Brandon: Being a gay comic in front
of a gay audience in most cases is a dream come true! I can talk about things that straight people just aren’t going to un- derstand all the time, like the importance of anal douching or remembering to take your PrEP medication, so I definitely turn up my flame and throw up the horns. What makes #1 Fifth Ave. such a great place to do comedy? Brandon: So many things… Firstly,
the show wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t for manager, Rikke Ellis-Bahena. He has been so supportive from the beginning and I just love him for it. It’s in the heart of Hillcrest! Who needs a laugh more than the LGBTQIA+ community right now? My dad would probably say Africa but I’ve never been. Name of a comedian who influenced you the most growing up? Brandon: Richard Pryor.
#1 Comedy Show is held monthly at #1 Fifth Avenue 3845 5th Avenue in Hillcrest
Their next show is scheduled for Thursday, July 7 at 9 p.m. For more information, check out their #1 Comedy Show Facebook page
facebook.com/events/1094509843943136
photo by kevin plautz
RUSSELL
What kind of other comics might we see at the show? Russell: Vibrantly weird. We tend to
JAMIE
Was it difficult to get other comedians involved early on? Jamie: We’ve had a hell of a time,
but it’s much easier now. Some of San Diego’s best comedians have graced that stage, doing crowd work or characters or their award-winning material. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to stumble into this show. Where do you find the other comics for the show? Jamie: The alley behind the bar,
I think. Either Brandon feeds them whiskey, or Russell smokes them out and then we shove ‘em on the stage to see what happens. Have you ever blanked on stage? Jamie: Like, as in shooting blanks? I
don’t understand. I don’t have a penis, and if I did, I am virile as hell and would NEVER shoot blanks. Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, all the
photo by kevin plautz
time, because La Jolla audiences are terrifying. Name of a comedian who influenced you the most growing up? Jamie: Maria Bamford, Chelsea Peretti and Bill Hader.
28 RAGE monthly | JULY 2016
book comics that we think bring a certain “off kilter” edge to them and the audience loves ‘em! I think the audience really appreciates the darkly fun weirdness we bring to the shows and there’s never any subject too taboo or punchline too dark for the crowd there...God bless ‘em for it. How long have you been performing? Russell: I’ve been performing my whole
life. Whether it is improv, theater, film or stand up...I’m always desperate for valida- tion from strangers. But as far as stand up goes, I’ve been at this for seven years now. What was it like performing in front of your first crowd? Russell: Well, to be honest, most comics
have some sort of horror story about their first time on
stage...kinda like everyone’s awkward “losing their virginity stories”... but for
me...well...sometimes you lose your virginity in the back of a Land Rover with a Swede while listening to Death Cab for Cutie. Basically, my first time on stage was super easy and fun...Even if it was at a coffee shop in Austin, Texas. Where do you get your stand-up material? Russell: I just think about things in society that frustrate me and talk about them on stage. This can range from pleading for sane gun control to Donald Trump being a lizard person to Kim Davis needing to just get a job as a bridge troll. Seriously...Why are all these people who are against gay rights so utterly unattractive? Name of a comedian who influenced you the most growing up? Russell: Sam Kinison and George Carlin.
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