Friday 22 March 2013

Brown finger will do Gig 119

Only 1 gig this week but at least it was only a short journey although I did still manage to add 80 miles to my dads car which guzzled the fuel making me grateful for our little 1.1 smart car (which was out of service tonight)
It was Huddersfield bar1:22 for open for laughs. Sadly organiser Sally was not going to be there as she was off being funny in Glasgow at the comedy festival, also missing would be resident compère Peter Marshall so Chris Lumb from discount comedy checkout more than capably stepped in. York's James Christopher and newbie Tom Wilson were joining myself and Dave McAndrew for the trip.

Spirits seemed quite high in the car as everyone chatted about the usual comedy related stuff with the added bit of banter. Dave Mac as usual full of innuendo and jokes which makes the car journey that little bit sillier.

Arriving at the venue I was greeted by a former work colleague who lives in the area and who had come to watch me perform as he had not been to see me before, also sat across the room was another couple, Dean and Helena whom I was best man for but sadly do not see very often were also watching me perform, for the 1st time. I had initially feared this would be all there was however, people were filtering in as I was saying my hello's. One of the acts had brought a few people from his wife's side of the family along to support and there were a handful of others making it quite a nice audience of at least 25 people.

There was a nice atmosphere although one or two of the people stood at the back were chatting and not getting on board with the comedy early on.

Chris had some great techniques for warming the audience up including getting them to come on to the stage to have a photo taken with the mic as if they were performing. I had not met Chris before but know he is a strong act from the work he does with the improv goup (Discount comedy check out as prev mentioned)
so he had suitably warmed up the room for the 1st act a new act from Hull who's name I did not catch. From what I heard this was his 2nd or 3rd gig and he did a very good job.
Next up was Dave Mac and he had a new set. It was only a week or so ago that he txt me saying that his new stuff had... well the context was that it had not gone well! but tonight it all clicked nicely and the audience were loving it. This probably the best I had seen from Dave and I saw him storm it in Gainsborough.
James went next with an all new set, this I think will form part of his Edinburgh show the summer. I would like to see the full set as this snippet was excellent.
Tom was next, he was working through a lot of new ideas of which none were fully crafted into materiel yet. some worked some did not and Tom made the most of his time working out what was best at one point getting a big laugh where he clearly did not expect it!

There was a short break before the 2nd section was kicked off in which the caption competition to come up with a new Bond film title, the acts given the responsibility of choosing a winner, among some fairly weak attempts ( I wanted to sat entries but I'm immature and just giggled at the very word) there was one that was simply entitled BROWN FINGER, after a short deliberation JC said upon slight influence from his more immature colleagues 'Yeah, brown finger will do' which in itself amused me!

And so we baegan part 2 with Chris again superbly keeping the audience focus up and dealing with the guys at the back that were still chatting a little.
I was 1st up and wedged a new bit on scuba diving with some very new one linery type jokes in between some more tried and tested stuff. It seemed to go quite well although I had asked Dave to film it for me but my phone ran out of memory so I could not check, I also forgot to start my watch so I have no idea but I think I ran over my time by at least 2 mins. The newer stuff needs work but it was certainly ok as a possible 2 or 3 min set.

Brummie Eddie went after me and he was aided by having family members in the audience in as much as his brother in law was in and when Eddie was talking of his sex life the wonderful heckle OIIIIIIII, THATS MY SISTER was a highlight.

I missed much of the final act but again I understand he was very new and still finding his feet comedically.

And so another gig down, the car journey home oddly saw conversation turn to skeletons in closets and black sheep in the family stuff (led by my comments I would say but alas car share talk must remain as that and I cannot blog details) Next up for me is a long drive to Haselmere for a middle 10.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Snobby Hens Gigs 116-118

A strange week saw me turn up to 2 gigs that were cancelled due to no audience, drop out of one gig in lovely Hull due to work (Gutted as I was really looking forward to that one) and also turn a gig down only to go to one with no audience as previously mentioned. But the 3 gigs that I did do this week were all great lessons to the open spot comic that I am and another step towards being a strong act.

Gig 116.
This would see me return to the Lescar where I had performed once before but not for its resident comedy night the Last Laugh, this time it would be for last laugh as a middle open for a pro night headlined by Gav Webster and MC'd by Phil Ellis. As I arrived Jools from Last laugh was very welcoming and Phil plus anoth open act Rob Thomas were there and were also very welcoming which helped as I had a little bit of an attack of nerves! The opening act was unable to attend so things changed to myself going 1st after Phil had done his MC bit then Rob with headliner Gav doing a longer set, although he was yet to arrive.

The room filled up very quickly once doors were opened and there was standing room only, I reckon about 70 in the room and a buzzing atmosphere. Phil showed me how to get to the stage and then went up and did his bit. He has a very relaxed persona and was clearly liked by the audience as he worked the room skillfully and with charm. He was great to watch although I was watching most of it from behind as I was ready to go up. My set started steadily, there was laughter but it was slightly muted. It piked up a little as I got going but then I decided to work in a newer bit as there was an aeronautics engineer in the room which suited my bit.... MISTAKE!!! it did not get a laugh as it was clearly too wordy and not rehearsed... I waffled through it for about 2 mins to total silence before blurting out.. Holidays!! lets talk about those seeing as how the car stuff was going so well, this got a laugh of relief I think, almost like they thought.. ok he knows that was shit we'll forgive him. I then went on the the Big Julie set which has recently been criticised by some of my fellow open spot acts and as thus I had lost faith in the set. It was however my biggest laugh of the night and thankfully I had won back an audience I stupidly lost.
Rob went up and was just solid all the way through, he is a scouser and the accent adds to his witty observations and slightly aggressive style. I say slightly aggressive, it is shouty but in no way offensive or too much and he has everything just in the right measure. A very nice set.

Gav Webster went last, minus his ukulele he went straight on the comedy offensive with neatly placed lines and jokes in his opening gambit including an observation about how the room had contravened fire regulations due to how busy it was. As a long standing pro i'm sure he needs little compliment from me so all I will say is, FUCK!!! How will I ever be that good!!! Holy crap!! it was brilliant and yet I think he was barely out of 1st gear!! So yet again working with Pro acts such as Phil and Gav I have seen what I need to do.
I had some nice advice from Jools too, he said where he thought I was on the comedy Ladder (not that high) and what he thought I could do to improve inviting me to apply again for another 10 spot at last laugh in the future. The key thing was my set, and what I should do and I noted that he feels new acts change their set too often or write new sets too often and as a result promoters can't trust they will perform a solid 10, so I no longer feel like I don't write enough and this for me was a great gig even if i fucked things up a little.

Gig 117
I had another chance to be middle open at a pro night as I traveled to Solihull to do a gig for Mirth Control. The gig was being put on by Village hotel and they were responsible for the running of things, I arrived and the manager a pleasant enough guy but a little wet, showed me to the green room where MC Chris Norton Walker was sat waiting. Chris rather like Phil at Lescar was welcoming and showed me the room. There was a stage and DJ box where a rather twatty DJ was doing his level best to not help us organise things claiming that having a stage light would cost extra and that plugging a guitar into his amp was not viable due to liability insurance! anyway stuff him he will die in an accident due to being too busy filling out a jobsworth disclaimer form!!
The gig had sold out at 150 people but the room layout was not ideal with a large number of people facing away from the stage but this was a small problem... when considered against how things went, it was very small. The other acts arrived with Mark Cram 1st to arrive looking very laid back about the whole thing while I was still quite nervy, then opener Neil McFarlane arrived closely followed by headline act Mark Felgate who was keen to be referred to as guy who's going on last in a humble attempt to not be viewed as being any more important. The guys were again all very friendly and easier to chat to than open spots in that they were less tense, or not as soon as a gig is mentioned pouncing on it.. WHO BOOKS THAT!!!!
It was all very casual and Mark even said, we are all in this together I hope everyone does well.
The gig began, it began with a real whimper though. Chris had done his level best to get good lighting but there was nothing much the venue could do, there was a fully lit room, the Mic was a radio Mic that was clearly a Maplin cheapy effort and not really fit for purpose so it was not great sound... and then hen night to the far right of the room from the stage, well they just figured it was time for a chat and could not care less that comedy was happening. Chris worked hard doing all he could to get the room ready for comedy but it just did not ever kick off into a gig. Neil has a slightly deadpan style which with the poor sound system and the chatting hens was difficult for some to pick up, but his jokes were great!! I cant believe they didnt get more!! this was a great comedy set well delivered and yet only half the room were with him!
Chris tried to address this in the break and to be fair in the middle section it was not as bad as Mark did a superb job of trying to keep the noisy hens at bay! then my turn came up and I was immediately aware how difficult it was to hear the comedy due to the laughing (not at us) and chatting from the big table of women who cared not one bit for comedy. One audience member told me she could not hear, one yelled tell them Gypo's to shut up, they did not hear this. My set was incidental really, I got some laughs and some nice bits with a mini applause break started by Chris as he willed the gig to improve.
AS the final section got underway and Mark began his set word had got round the Hens that they were not liked by the rest of the room, suddenly one got up and started yelling who called us Gypo's and began pacing towards a random table with daughter following behind yelling leave it mum!! This classy outburst saw them leave but most of the group stayed and continued to be a problem. Mark now addressed this to large applause before a woman yelled I quote 'There is no need to Fucking swear at us' A, Mark did not swear and B,.... well B is obvious really. Mark did return fire though swearing this time much to the delight of the rest of the audience. AS they left the mother of the bride saw me stood in the doorway watching the gig and collered me, she pointed a wagging finger and said my husband earns more in a day than all you comedians do in a year, the problem in there is they are all snobs!! yet more irony from the lovely ladies. as she walked away she was yelling I live in a big house I don't need this!! Good Lord!! bye then.
And so Mark completed his set and we all returned to the green room to evaluate what just happened.
I still had a lot of fun though and look forward to my next Mirth Gig in Haselmere along with Neil and Mark again.

Gig118
This was a nice gig to get on and the culmination of Chris Heads course for brand new/ novice acts. It would be the 1st time on stage for most of the acts, 14 in total, and I had the pleasure of being asked to Headline, of course taking what Mark Felgate said in my last gig I will go with close rather than headline. Barry Ferns was asked to MC adding the pro element of the night.
This would be hosted at Funny Side of Covent gardens venue the George on the strand and was sold out! the place was rammed!! another lovely atmosphere. I wont review everyones performance as there were so many but I will say that the acts all brought their A game to say how new they were.
The gig was in 2 sections with 8 in the 1st and 7 myself included in the second. The only real down side was that each act was given 5 mins but nearly all went over that time and some went over by 3 mins. This is something they will learn as newbies and not a massive issue apart from that when I went on the audience had lost the desire to pay attention and I really had to work hard to get them back. My slot was taken up ith me trying to get the room to come to life and I had to give some jokes real long pauses as they sunk in! But I got through it and there were even a couple of small applauses which I now mention in every blog because I clearly like to pat myself on the back!
I had done my bit and I felt good but also a little exhausted, It was a long travel and and the gig itself somehow mentally draining. I took a lot from it though, a tired crowd, a long night, how best to work that. A bit of energy and some silliness is all it takes and the confidence to trust your jokes even if they dont seem to be landing. I played back the tape on the train and can safely say I sound like a dick... but that aside I was happy with how it went and what I took from it.

Next for me a quiet week before a trip to Huddersfield for my 3rd Bar 1.22 gig.

Monday 11 March 2013

Died, Died, did ok Stormed it, Died!! gigs 110-115


lets just get one thing straight then, I didn't really die so to speak at any of this weeks gigs, nor did I or have I ever, storm any gig. I did some new stuff that didn't work to well but that has legs, I struggled as an opening 20 to lift a quiet audience I did ok at a night almost ruined by hecklers and then there was a gig with more acts than audience before I took part in a new act new materiel night that was like an other night of that nature.

I often take to Facebook to keep my friends who I don't see often in the loop about how its going, Someone pointed out the other day as some gigs had gone badly it looked like I was either fishing for love or about to kill myself... tis neither I just use social network to network with my social groups!
Speaking of which, please follow @jimbayes on twitter for random musings in 140 characters or less.

Anyway gigs..
Gig 110
This requires little mention really, I have been doing 9 weeks now of materiel generating workshops with performance and on thi occasion my materiel was all based on pop culture, I went through the topic of TV shows that make no sense to me and how Jim Henson came upon the Munah mun nah thing. Some will become small parts of a bigger set but on the whole I will discard it as shite!!
Gig 111
Nelson is unlucky in Cricket and I seem to love a cricket analogy (for anyone who does not know nelson in cricket is when the score is 111, nelsons column) This unlucky charm really has no bearing on cricket really never mind my comedy but still I had a bad gig in some ways and a good gig in others. The setting for this gig was Bolton's railway venue and I have to state that even though its not run as a paid pro night anymore this is still a great gig made better by Timmy and Tommo who are most welcoming and amiable. Amy Gledhill would provide travel companionship and on the night would also provide the most laughs if we discount headliner Ben Lawes who was superb. I should not take away from the acts in the 1st section either, Barry Meadon, Darren King and embarrassingly I forget the name of the lady who took to the stage last in the 1st section all doing great sets that the crowd of around 20 lapped up. Lee Thomasson did a guest appearance for 5 mins too which included some nice jokes. Amy did her standard set using the night to hone it and was in great form going off to huge ovation which is really what showed me up when I foolishly opted for all new stuff that I had not tightened at all, it showed as I got one or two laughs but in between long silences and bored looking faces. I learnt a few things about myself though, always a positive to take from everything (at least one reader has now vomited) Ben Lawes picked up the room from the lull I left them in and just injected some much needed professionalism, some good jokes and taught me a lesson in how to work in new materiel. I was impressed with his stuff and hope to catch him again.

Gig 112
I did not have to wait long for my next gig as this was a busy weekend for me with Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday gigs keeping my momentum going... thing is I had just had a flat gig, there was no momentum and now I was to be doing an opening 20 at Matt Fongs Hudds uni gig. There was talk of pulling the gig at one point as there was no one in the room at all just prior to kick off. By the time we started there was around 20 people in but the room was so big it looked like nothing. I went on and made the cardinal sin of saying something negative about the gig itself... I just made the audience think.. well if he thinks its shit we will think that too. I really had to work hard again for any laughs and in my mind some self doubt crept in... maybe I'm just not funny?, I wobbled a bit but then my brain went, nah fuck it carry on then you'll be better at the next gig and so after only 18 mins (yea a whole 2 mins too early) I crawled away wounded. Kahn Johnson went next and was in good form producing a nicely worked set that is delivered with Kahn's likable approach. Ross Brieley went up next and was as consistent as ever, Ross just makes the most of any gig and got plenty from a quiet room proving that I was not a victim of a bad crowd. Joe Bromehead headlined, I had heard loads about Joe but never seen him. He was not the prop act I believe he used to be but as a stand up carried an air of control, he did a couple of bits that didn't seem to work but just recovered instantly and was able to identify what they would go for. I quite enjoyed the line about setting fire to curtains for some reason. I always enjoy the gigs with pro headliners more as I am able to take something from how they go about their sets but I will really need to perform better tomorrow.

Gig 113
A return to Flix in Hartlepool run by Nick Banks who will be trotting off on a charity walk along Hadrians wall soon. We had a carfull coming from Leeds and Hudds, Callum Scott, Peter Brush, Sally Jones and myself. Last time I was at Flix it was a bit quiet, not so this time. Peter was the opening 20, most people who read my blog know Peter but for those who don't there is little I can say that will do him justice, go see him he is brilliant. It was hard work for him at the top not helped by a 'lady' requiring all the jokes to be explained to her creating a time delay that was audible to all around her.
I would be next, or 1st after the break. I had decided to do the same set as last time as there was not many in last time and the set has evolved a lot meaning that there are plenty of new jokes in there, it went ok but the 'lady' and another girl were creating attention for themselves and taking away a little from the comedy. This did not trouble Sally in fairness as she just cruised through her stuff with aplomb leading into the next break.
Daniel Carmichael took to the stage with his scouse accent adding to his persona he had the whole room cringing while laughing as he gave detailed description of a knob gag of sorts!! really enjoyable but also horrible to think about hence no details, I should note that this was a sexual reference, as was part of my set, the reason I note this will become clear shortly.
Callum took to the stage and went to work on some of his more clubby material I guess, he was not getting the usual laughs he commands but he went into his gay materiel and this is where things turned. Some numpty woman clearly had a problem with this and decided to heckle, not constructively or in a funny way but just vindictively... and how she wishes she hadn't as Callum slammed her!! and immediately got the crowd on his side. She took issue with Callum referencing gay sex yet had no problem with previous sexual references the stupid bigoted bint!! But Callum just swept her aside and completed his set to raptuous applause.
Headliner Steff Peddie basically did not do a set, he picked up where Callum left off slapping down the annoying woman who now just would not shut up. He then ditched the mic as everyone could hear anyway and proceeded to tell stories rather than materiel allowing for a lot of audience interaction. He did have to dispatch the annoying woman though who left to a chorus of bye bye from the whole room!!
With the main heckle issue of the night gone Steff went back to comedy set mode and finished the night off with style. Nick has himself a lovely gig and next month the gig celebrates its second birthday.

gig 114
Highlight Leeds have stepped in to the hole left by Mr Bens closing and have started a gong show running on Sundays. I originally turned down an invite to perform as this was Mothers day and I had Mother plans (see what I did there)
These plans ended in good time and after a phone call from another of the nights acts I decided I would take part. I'm not sure if i'm glad I did or not?? it was a usual suspects line up of acts who all started within the last 3 years. Jed Salisbury, Andy Woolston, Thom Milson, Si Finnigan, Ross Brierely, Callum Scott and myself. So when we consider that Vikki accompanied me, Mc Jon Lee and sound guy Wayne were present and act booker Dave Rivers were present then its a shame to say that there was NO AUDIENCE!!
It seems word has not yet got round although 3 guys did show up just after we had agreed to workshop the night. I was due to go 6th however, Vik wanted to go home as there was nothing much for her to enjoy about the night so I swapped with Thom Milson who was due 1st (and stayed anyway as Vik felt bad departing before everyone else had been on)
So I just talked bollocks into a mic tentatively testing my car and power rangers stuff, it was comedy gold I stormed it everyone said it was the greatest comedy performance ever and that I should be selling out arena's ! well not quite but I did at least try to include the 3 audience members that had bothered to come.
 Si Finnigan was back in cynical mode choosing an attack on his peers, his set was funny and its nice to hear what he really thinks hidden in injoke form but it did alienate the confused people who were not acts. Callum I think went next and had a take on Gay comedy (is there such a thing as Gay comedy?) that highlighted what he despises about it. I had no idea.....
Jed went next and just riffed in Jeds own style bringing back the 3 people who essentially we were there for, this led sweetly to Jeds New York joke (which in the end was the winning joke)
Andy Woolston returned from a comedy Hiatus and had some lovely lines in a shorter set for the evening.
Thom talked about how he'd cancelled a date and then did a little materiel, he used the time to work through things and I think had a bit of a twist on some older/existing jokes but I have not seen him in a while so I am exited to see that howl and Mutant comedy appear to have merged as Thom will no doubt be appearing there.
Ross used the time to try new things, some one liner type jokes and then the incredibly silly John McCririck bit that I enjoyed on hearing about on the drive back from Derby.
So the night produced something for some and perhaps was not worth while for others I can't really be sure what they thought.

Gig 115
Well this was a 5 spot that was to practice what would be showcased in next weeks Covent Garden gig. It was pretty similar in many ways to the Highlight Leeds thing. I realised a few things though, those being how I come across to others and what persona works for me. There was feedback offered almost straight away (as I went last it seemed that way) and this was fair and constructive  It's nice to hear to my face the home truths and to be told whats good about what I do too as there is always a nagging self doubt even though I am making no attempt to tackle hard hitting issues or topics of substance. I feel ready to start the second year of gigging like a freight train... I have no idea what I mean by that but this gig was well worth doing for giving me feedback.

Next for me 2 trips to Sheffield in 2 days then midlands and hopefully Hull although there may be work commitments preventing that as March otherwise continues to tick over nicely.
Don't forget twitter @jimbayes ;-)

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Happy birthday to me

I sit here writing this 12 months to the day that the awesome Mickey Sterrett won a gong show at mr Bens, this was a superb performance from a stand up act that I was instantly a fan of, but Mickeys win was not the significant factor of the evening. March the 5th 2012 I set foot on a comedy stage for the 1st time and told some jokes. They weren't all mine, I told two old jokes and one that was from sickepedia, I quickly learnt not to do this and thankfully had written some semi decent jokes of my own.

I have written a lot of stuff since that night and discarded most of it but 110 gigs later I now know my comedy voice and what direction I'm going in. This year taught me a lot about myself. I'm one of the older open spots and one of the least intelligent in terms of writing but what I do works for me and I'm not trying to be anything other than funny and likeable. It sounds quite sad really but my main aim is to be liked. I don't want to be the next Lois CK or Bill Hicks or Daniel Kitson, I want to be the 1st Jim Bayes and mould myself into a bookable act.

In this 1st year I have created a 20 min set that works as an opening 20 and as a result I now get a little bit of paid work. This is great but I am still a million miles from where I need to be to say that I am a real comedian. I have met people along this journey who are superb as comedians and indeed people. If I am to be noticed ahead of these people then only one thing will do it and this is graft. This is why I will be driving to Wincanton in a few weeks (4.5 hours drive) for a 10 min unpaid spot. These are the things that I must do in order to gig as much as I can to be a better act.

I would say I am a better act than 6 months ago and being offered paid work I guess proves this but as a fellow comic stated I have a great ability to perform with materiel that is not so good. It's true and this was a trusted opinion not a bitter attack or anything, I think a lot of other acts like my stuff a d what I do and they would book me if they were bookers but I M not content that I have anything that puts me in the mickey Sterrett ball park.

Mickey has bad gigs too of course but you listen to him talk and live what he is saying, he won that gong show a year ago because he is making jokes from topics with depth which very few open spots do to that standard (although an awful lot of open spots are still of a very high calibre which just shows how hard it is to make it)

So where does my act fit in the current market? Well I can only think the way I think so my act will not change hugely so here's the thing, another year of gigging like hell tweaking what I already have and adding new stuff and I will be ok. I won't win awards, I won't e regarded as refreshing or original or different but as long as I'm regarded as funny then I am happy.

It seems to me some acts forget who they are gigging to, most audiences have middle of the road views on things, most audiences like a knob joke here and there along with the stuff that makes them think. I am the act that balances out a night where someone with intelligent thought provoking humour had just been on, I'm the guy that just wants to be the audiences mate tell some funny stories be silly and go home. I am very aware of how audiences see me and even how some acts see me. This helps me, I know if I'm to be reviewed if it will be good or bad, for example review me this week in Birmingham and I think it would say, likeable with some good jokes but also talks nonsense a lot. It's how they see me and not how I see myself that counts and this is why I wish I could be reviewed at every gig just so I know where I am going wrong sometimes.

More honest feedback from other acts would help too but it's not easy to say 'that knob joke you did was a bit hack' when the audience were laughing their tits off, but the flip side is booked see through that and progression will not happen.

This next 6 months is massive for me, I have some new ideas to work in, some paid gigs coming up, some good for progression unpaid stuff and a whole year of experience under my belt now.

This year I very much am a man with a plan.

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Ups and downs Gigs 106-109

Well what a week of gigs I have just had.... new material that was horrendous, then 2 brilliant gigs followed by dying on my arse at the end of the week!!

Gig 106
This was a new material night and it was mainly attended by comedians and was a chance for me to just try a different angle. It reminded me of the CUT UP nights that HOWL ran briefly and like those nights I delivered nothing but shite!! in fact to quote a txt Dave Mac sent me, I might as well have done a shit on the stage and pointed at it, said there is my materiel and walked off!! It re affirmed the knowledge that crude does not suit me though and so for that alone I am pleased I did it.

Gig 107
Sully O Sullivan had very kindly recommended that I try get my self on at Chris Brookers Keighley. I had applied for this before an found it difficult to get on but the recommendation helped as I was booked in. I waited since October for the date to come round and was looking forward to it. A possibility to double arose too however the other gig in nearby Bingley wanted me on stage at a similar time so I stuck to just the one gig. Hayley Ellis would open, Dave Twentyman to close and Will Setchell was the other open spot with Chris MCing. The pub was rammed, that being the Cricketers arms, and there was an electric atmosphere. Hayley kicked things off with a brilliant 20 min opening set that the crowd enjoyed ever word of. It was nice to see a more advanced act and how she worked her jokes. The break seemed short and it was soon my turn. There were some nerves, I believed I would make them laugh but I wanted to be good enough to be re booked or considered for progression, what I got I could not have hoped for. My 1st line was heckled, a pleasant heckle really, it didnt add to the joke but it gave me a chance to have a back and forth with the audience and get a big laugh out of nothing, settled by this I went to my staple 10 min set routine and it just seemed to work. I had 3 applause breaks which has never happened before and it was nice to feel I was on form. I tailed off a touch but I think it was due to the slightly wordier story at the end. I wrapped up and came off stage buzzing. Will went next and was strong, he relied on what he knows rather like I do and talked about his upbringing with great results. If they liked me, they loved him!!. Speaking of loved him, Dave Twentyman was the headliner that the night needed, I had to stand at the back to watch him as during the break 4 burly 40 something men wanted to blow fire up my arse, hug me and repeatedly shake my hand!! it was nice and uncomfortable at the same time. Dave's set was slightly disturbed by a row between audience members but he handled that and carried on steadily building into some lovely anecdotes about going out with his mates, relationships and how to make the Asda tag line funny!! his set was about 40 mins but was called back for an en core and the following 15 mins were equally superb. closing off a great night and for me personally a night that made me 100% certain this is what I want to do full time if I can.

Gig 108
This was another away trip, this time to Birmingham for Dave Rhys Jones' laughing lions comedy club at the brown lion. Si Finigan was my travel buddy. Si is in great form as he starts to mould his comedy style to perfection. He had never gigged in Birmingham before and so most of the journey down we talked about why I felt I needed to come to the midlands for gigs and what good it does or does not do to drive for 3 hours do 10 mins to 6 people then drive back at the cost of around £50 in fuel!!! We also discussed materiel ideas and what we would be performing on the night.
On arrival the venue looked nice, brightly lit which doesn't usually work for comedy but nice. Dave came to greet us and gave us some drinks vouchers which is always a bonus. He would MC the night and did so with a laid back style. The 1st act went on after a short warm up. Joe Tree, who just did a short set of what I think was mainly new stuff. The audience were quiet which was not helped by a heckler who introduced himself as Wayne the Wanker!! Gareth Guild went 2nd but unfortunately Wayne the wanker stopped Gareth in his tracks about 2 mins in and he lost his way forgetting his next line which led to him leaving the stage very early. Si suggested we get him back on between myself who was next (1st after the break), and Si. Gareth said he would see if he felt up to it but as Dave pointed out its important to get back on stage asap when something like this happens. After the break  went on and just tried to lift the room a little, I did some crowd work, some tried and tested materiel and a fair bit of new stuff. To be fair, most of what I did was shite, but it didn't seem to matter as the heckler had gone, the audience had warmed up and I seemed to blag my way through it. Gareth decided he would go next, this was a massive decision for a new act and took some guts as had it been me I would still be hiding now!! Thankfully he completed his set this time and did a good job.
Si went next and had some great lines about the heckler that still worked even in his absence. The new materiel was going down really well until a slightly wordier bit that Si stopped in its tracks and asked the audience where he lost them? they were on side but upon being asked this they clammed up a touch, so Si turned to a suited guy at the bar and tried a bit of a recovery with him... only this guy had just been to a funeral and responded with a line to the effect of, didn't realise I would be at 2 funerals tonight! this was a way back in that Si has the chops to take and he rounded off the set nicely with biggest laugh of the night so far.
We stayed to watch the remaining 2 acts however sadly I forget the name of the young lad who went next doing I believe his 23rd gig? and doing brilliant with massive laughs all the way through. Masai Graham was to close, he has the one liner comic style that can't really be compared to other one liner comics, often you may say, he is like Tim Vine, or like Milton Jones, but Masai is just Masai and has some great jokes. He tried some new ones tonight too which was pleasing to see as it must be so difficult to write one liners consistently.
The drive home seemed to take forever but there was a tinge of regret that I didn't have a dictaphone because I don't even know why but I laughed almost all the way home. I am certain I should do road trip pod casts as no matter who I car share with its always hilarious!!.

Gig 109
I was booked for Giggles Live to replace Jed who had to drop out of this gig and asked me to step in. Giggles Live is a touring comedy night that moves across venues in Hull mixing music and comedy. This was a Sunday night gig and as such it was nice to see how busy the gig was, especially at a £5er in. The guys had done well promoting it. One of the organisers Gary greeted me as I arrived and explained the night. Steve Rimmer (who in case he does not mention is the Uk's only bomb disposal technician comedian) would host with comedy music from the Custard Chucker and Matt and Me in the 1st section, then 2nd section was myself, Jack Gleadow and the Live Naked Idiots. The final section would be Gary Jennison the pre mentioned organiser and headliner Joe Charman.
The 1st section was more about the music than the comedy, while the acts were silly they were not comedy acts although opener the custard chucker would not be out of place on a comedy only line up.
I opened the 2nd section and it felt like I had interrupted a funeral at 1st!! they were just not in the zone, possibly not helped by me repeatedly asking them whats up?? one guy yelling out, its Sunday night we are tired!! I also did one of those tapping the mic, is this thing on lines that I despise!!!! silly prat!
I started to win them round towards the end of my set and by the last 2 mins they were laughing but it was too late I had already for all intents and purposes, just died on my arse. This was cemented by the belly laughs that Jack Gleadow and the Live naked idiots got from the room. Jack's set was only short but was neatly delivered from a guy who was very nervous and the idiots just used their 2 available performers to sketch out some sillyness.
Gary J went on after the break and went for an all out crazy attack which was funny and scary at times!
Headliner Joe is headline quality indeed but for me possibly not to all tastes?. The guy is very very talented and produced some really nice stuff with his human beatbox, in fact the only act that would have broken the language barrier given that there were 2 Germans, a Fin, a Frenchman and a Brazillian in. His take on how German Techno and Punjab dance sound were nice and the silly sound effects sort of reminded me of Ivan Brackenbury. The night brought to a close with a song created using suggestions from the audience.
Giggles live is a lovely set up and I hope to get a chance to perform there again... only I next time I am determined for more laughs!!

Next for me is another workshop gig on my 1 year comedy birthday.