Do you like to laugh? Do you like to do so in big outdoor arenas with a host of cool comedians? Then you should know about Funny or Die's Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival, which will tour around the U.S. for five weekends in August and September. The festival, which will span two stages of hilarity, is headlined by Dave Chappelle and Flight of the Conchords, and also features Al Madrigal, Brody Stevens (who'll MC the second stage), Chris D'Elia, Demetri Martin, Hannibal Buress, Jim Jefferies, John Mulaney, Kristen Schaal, and many more.

The tour hits the general NYC area for shows at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ on September 6, and PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on September 7. Tickets to both shows go on sale Friday (6/21) at 10 AM. All tour dates are listed, along with a video promo for the tour, below.

Continue reading "Dave Chappelle, Flight of the Conchords and more comedians playing traveling Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival (dates)"

by Bill Pearis

You may know British comedic actor Matt Berry -- and his sonorous voice -- from The IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace or Snuff Box all of which are highly reccomended if you've never seen them. But you may not know that he's an accomplished musician and songwriter: he wrote '80s parody "One Track Lover "for Darkplace (video below), lots of songs for Snuff Box and composed music for Steve Coogan's series Saxondale. He also released a few solo albums, most of which lean towards late '60s / early-'70s folky psych pop and they're all pretty good and not really "novelty." Berry also sings in a higher register than you might imagine given his bravado-laden speaking voice.

He recently released his fourth album, Kill The Wolf, and just made the whole thing available to stream which you can listen to below.

Continue reading "stream British comedian Matt Berry's new non-comedy LP"

by Bill Pearis

The Polyphonic Spree at BV-SXSW 2013 (more by Sarah Frankie Linder)

As you may know, Bonnaroo is happening this weekend in Manchester, TN, kicking off today (6/13) and going through Sunday (6/16) across a dozen or so stages and tents. Everybody knows about the big names -- that include Paul McCartney, Bjork, Tom Petty and many more (stream it live) -- but there are some  cool things going on away from the main stages, too

The Polyphonic Spree (who played a BVSXSW day party this year) play the Cinema Tent tonight (6/13) at 11 PM, performing The Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack in its entirety (!). Then the band are doing a second secret Bonnaroo set at 2 AM by the Fountain.

There's actually a lot of cool stuff going on in the Cinema Tent. Matt & Kim will host a panel discussion called "How to Make a Fun Music Video" where they'll also perform live (Thursday, 4:30 PM); Mike Birbiglia (who performs in the Bonnaroo Comedy Theatre) will present his terrific film Sleepwalk with Me (Friday, 5:45 PM); Reno 911/The State folks Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant will show their new comedy, Hell Baby (Friday, 11:55 PM); Police Academy human sound effects machine Michael Winslow will perform on Friday (9:10 PM); and The National's Matt Berninger will present the new documentary, Mistaken For Strangers (6/16, noon).

Chris Gethard, who famously walked to Bonnaroo from L.A. last year, will be doing a bunch of things there this year:

Last year I did The Chris Gethard Show which is an experimental, crazy thing, but this time it's just stand-up. I have a pretty in-depth exploration of my Bonnaroo experience last year that I may tell on stage and see how the crowd likes it. I would call my act stand-up but I'm less of a joke writer and more on the confessional, philosophizing or whatever end. They're true stories. I'm playing Thursday and Friday. Then Saturday I'm hosting a look at public access TV with clips from my show and other public access shows that inspired mine. Things like Uncle Floyd--which I grew up with in New Jersey--and Chic-a-Go-Go from Chicago. Also, clips from my favorite prank call footage on various public access shows. And a lot of it will be clips from The Chris Gethard Show that I'm really proud of. But overall I just want to have fun and meet a lot more people. - [Fuse]

There's good music away from the three main stages too: Deer Tick cohort Jonny Fritz (formerly Corndawg) will be tonight (New Music On Tap Lounge, 10 PM) and Friday (Sonic Stage, 12:45 PM); Ex Cops play the New Music On Tap Lounge on Friday at 8 PM; Canada's awesome White Lung play the Cafe Where? stage on Sunday at 7:45 PM; and Georgia rockers Royal Thunder play the New Music On Tap Lounge on Sunday at 8 PM. And look out for Mac DeMarco all over the place.

And last but not least, John Oates is the butt of a lot of good-natured ribbing, but you'll get to hear his side of the story when he performs and participates in a Q&A on the Solar Stage on Friday at 5 PM. Here's you chance to learn the real story behind "Maneater" without constant interjections by Daryl Hall.

Check out the full Bonnaroo Schedule (scroll down, down down for smaller stages) for more.

by Klaus Kinski

For those keeping score, your man Klaus has played drums in many many unpopular and unsignable bands since 1991. I've dragged my 1964 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl 4 piece kit (2nd rack tom not shown) with 1965 Gretsch snare (all of which were purchased in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts for $175) from one end of the earth (the Northeast) to the other (the Midwest mostly) hundreds of times. 'Tis a gorgeous kit, in phenomenal condition, and I have endured hundreds if not millions of compliments regarding it's eye-watering beauty. I am a man who appreciates a nice set of drums. And I'm a man who appreciates a man who appreciates a nice set of drums. Therefore, I am a man who appreciates this wonderful compilation video featuring the great David Letterman appreciating his various musical guest's gear, focusing primarily, but not exclusively, drums. The video, and a list of who is in it, including GBV, Feist, Beirut, James Blake, The Strokes, Mastodon, St. Vincent, and many many more, is below. Behold!

Continue reading "watch a video of David Letterman asking a bunch of different bands, "Are those your drums?""

by Klaus Kinski

I have got a WICKED soft-spot in my soul for the great Tenacious D. Back in the day when I was still a young pup exploring the world of comedy at large, a friend of mine gave me a VHS tape (recorded in EP mode) that featured David Cross' special The Pride is Back as well as every single episode of the HBO Tenacious D television series. I was familiar with Jack Black from other things, but this series blew my mind apart into about eighteen different piles of pinkish green sludge. To this day (and I have been and will continue to be raked over the coals for this analogy) I think Jack Black is a phenomenal singer who brings to mind someone like the great Mike Patton. Their zeal for the majesty of rock and the hilarious adventures he and the cherubic Kyle Gass got into made the series an instant fave of yours truly.

Over the years, The D has given us great music, great videos, great tours, and great laughs. But now, they are giving us the mother of all gifts: FESTIVAL SUPREME! Curated by (and featuring) Tenacious D, Festival Supreme is a one day comedy/music fest taking place on the Santa Monica Pier in California on Saturday October 19, 2013. This rain-or-shine, nearly seven-hour event features a line-up that is so incredible that I had to read it like 7 times. Attendees will thrill to the comedy and music of Tim and Eric, The Mr. Show Experience(!), The Mighty Boosh, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis, Adam Sandler, The Gregory Brothers (aka the Autotune the News guys), Tig Notaro, Hannibal Buress, Eric Idle, Fred Armisen, Princess (Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum), Will Forte, Demetri Martin, Dynasty Handbag, Reggie Watts, Beardyman, Craig Robinson and the Nasty Delicious, Garfunkel & Oates, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Neil Hamburger Band, The Abe Lincoln Story, Nancy and Beth (Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt), and, of-fuckin-course, Tenacious D. I've included the list below for those of you who see things better visually as a list.

Pre-sale tickets will be available on Wednesday, June 12 at 10 AM PST (password is SUPREME). Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10am PST on Friday, June 14 at 10 AM PST. General admission tickets are $99 (plus fees), and VIP tickets are $250 (plus fees). VIP tickets include a VIP viewing platform of the main stage, VIP bar, access to golden toilets and special merchandise. Also, sorry kiddos, this is a 21+ event. HA! Grow up.

Preview video and line-up in list form is below.

Continue reading "Tenacious D plan 'Festival Supreme' with Mr. Show, The Mighty Boosh, Tim & Eric, Zach Galifianakis, Adam Sandler & more"

Reggie Watts at Glasslands in January (more by Alyssa Tanchajja)

Comedian/musician Reggie Watts has some shows coming up this year including Bonnaroo, and he's got a couple in NYC too. First, he'll play the annual Bushwick Starr spring benefit this Sunday (6/9) (somewhere he's played before) with Maggie Robinson and The Mighty Third Rail. The show starts at 5 PM and Reggie's on at 8. Tickets for that are on sale now.

Later on in the summer, Reggie will play another NYC show at Mercury Lounge on July 11 with Shining Mirrors. Tickets for that show go on sale today (6/7) at noon.

Reggie also has some ongoing video series, including his "Adventures in Bonnaroo" series and "The Social Music Experiment." In the latest installment of the former, Reggie explores Bonnaroo's silent disco, and in the latest installment of the latter, Reggie asks the question, "Can Music Start a Party Anywhere?" Check out both videos, and Reggie's upcoming tour schedule below...

Continue reading "Reggie Watts playing shows (dates & new videos)"

by Klaus Kinski

Veteran readers of this dope ass website are probably cognizant of the fact that Mike Birbiglia is a certified Klaus Kinski Gold Pass Top Tier Favorite Comedian Of All Freaking Time. I haven't crunched the numbers but I'd venture to guess that over fifty percent of my posts mention Birbigs in one way or another. I've been a fan of Birbigs for about as long as I've been aware that I enjoy comedy more than most anything in this world that serves to distract us from how awful life really is. And in the time I've been following Birbigs I've seen him make a very clear evolution from stand-up comedian to brilliant, long-form monologist without ever losing the funny. Mike's two blockbuster monologues Sleepwalk With Me, which became a book and a movie, and My Girlfriend's Boyfriend, both dominated the off-broadway and international circuits with an unprecedented amount of consecutive sold-out performances. He was also nominated for and won shitloads of awards and accolades and stuff. It was crazy.

Mike has been performing My Girlfriend's Boyfriend all over planet earth since 2011 and over that period of time the piece has enjoyed an evolution of its own, having undergone a series tweaks and adjustments to get the piece to where it is today. For better or for worse, Mike is closing the book on My Girlfriend's Boyfriend with a final gigantic send-off show at the venerable Carnegie Hall in NYC on Sunday June 2nd at 8:00pm (sharp). If you are light on funds, have no fear. Discounted $21 balcony seats can be obtained by simply using promo code MGB17398 at the Carnegie Hall website. In addition to a performance of My Girlfriend's Boyfriend one last time, the evening will be rounded out with very special guest appearances by This American Life's Ira Glass and more. A handful of tickets are still available to what is sure to be a bittersweet evening of comedic greatness.

I had a chance to ask Mike a few questions the other day and he was kind enough to answer them for me, us. Thanks Mike!

Interview below....

Continue reading "An interview w/ Mike Birbiglia, whose show 'My Girlfriend's Boyfriend' has its final performance on Sunday "

by Bill Pearis

The landmark film This is Spinal Tap will celebrate its 30th Anniversary next year. While films like Albert Brooks' Real Life paved the way, Spinal Tap really launched the mockumentary format into public concsiousness, spawned a zillion catchphrases ("This one goes to 11," "What's wrong with being sexy?") and remains scarily true to life -- just watch Anvil! or DiG! for proof.

In addition to being flat-out hilarious, This is Spinal Tap boasts great songs too, written by the film's stars, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and director Rob Reiner. The soundtrack is getting its first vinyl reissue since its initial release via The Control Group on June 11, which comes in a gatefold sleeve with original liner notes from Rocklopedia Brittanicus.

BrooklynVegan is happy to be presenting a release party at Williamsburg's Passenger Bar that night (6/11) from 8 PM - 11 PM. Mike V of The Everymen and D. Jane Gherkin will be spinning tunes and there will also be Brooklyn Beer specials. We're also giving away a copy of the vinyl reissue. You can enter ahead of time (details below) and pick up the prize at the party (we'll let you know ahead of time if you won).

Do come out. In the words of Tap keyboardist Viv Savage, "Have... a good time...all the time." Check out a classic Spinal Tap clip below...

Continue reading "This is Spinal Tap getting vinyl reissue: BV-presents Release Party (and win a copy!)"

by Klaus Kinski

If the great Neil Hamburger schedules a date in the New York City area, you can bet your jorts-wearing ass that your man Klaus will be there. I can think of no more enjoyable way to spend an evening than consuming alcohol without interruption in a darkened club and thrilling to the rapid-fire vulgarity of a Neil Hamburger stand-up set. For the uninitiated, Neil Hamburger brings to the stage an immense library of "What do you call a," "Why did," and "How many" quick-to-the-punchline jokes delivered by a velour-suited, washed-up, alcohol-decimated specter of a lounge comedian. It is truly brilliant. Anywhoozle, Neil announced a shit-ton of dates a while back but didn't have any scheduled for NYC... UNTIL NOW. It has just been announced that Neil Hamburger will be performing at the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday November 9. Tickets go on sale Friday (5/31) at noon.

Neil has several supporting acts that vary throughout his tour. Some folks get Bonnie Prince Billy (!). Some folks get Major Entertainer Mike H. Other folks, including NYC, get Tim Heidecker. We also get comedian-ventriloquist, and all-around super awesome lady Carla Rhodes. I am not entirely sure what to expect from a Tim Heidecker solo gig, but as a fan of his I am excited nonetheless. Complete Hamburger tour dates are below.

Speaking of Tim Heidecker, his better half, Eric Wareheim, has just dropped yet another balls out insanely great music video. This time it's for Major Lazer track "Bubble Butt" (feat. Bruno Mars, 2 Chainz, Tyga & Mystic). You can watch that insanity below. Bye!

Continue reading "Neil Hamburger touring, playing NYC w/ Tim Heidecker (dates); Eric Wareheim directed the new Major Lazer video"

James Murphy aboard SS Coachella 2012 (more by Greg Cristman)

Staying in NYC this weekend? There's actually no shortage of things to do here, even though the weather forecast is less than ideal. Head below for our top 10 list of events going on this Memorial Day Weekend.

Continue reading "NYC Memorial Day Weekend Events (DFA Anniversary, Do-Over, Converge, Green-Wood Cemetery, Greg Proops & more) "