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Music AND comedy? (or: Just pick one, beatniks)
David Ling and Alison Narro photos
Mario DiGiorgio and Derek Phelps are putting together an interesting show this weekend (and by “interesting,” I mean, “I’m still not really sure what it is.”).
DiGiorgio, of course, is a well-known headliner around town; he’s appeared on Comedy Central and wrote “A Cynic’s Guide to a Rich and Full Life.”
Phelps is newer to comedy, but in the classic Austin tradition of performers having multiple jobs - he also plays horn for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. (I’m not sure if that’s a classic Austin tradition, but who cares.)
Regardless, the two will join forces at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Salvage Vanguard Theater, with DiGiorgio performing standup backed by Phelps and a few other musicians. I chatted with them about the show.
This is the weirdest idea I’ve ever heard of. What is it and what makes you think it will work?
Mario: Is it that weird? Music and comedy are kissin’ cousins. If you’ve ever listened to the Tom Waits live album, Nighthawks at the Diner, his intro for each song is like a stand-up bit put to music. I think it works great! Then again, I’m no Tom Waits. (Expletive). Maybe this won’t work.
Derek: Yeah, what were we thinking?
Will this be similar to how Mitch Hedberg used to perform with a bassist?
Mario: Similar, sure. But with two more musicians at no extra cost to the consumer. And separate “grooves” for each of my bits. Not songs, Brian. Grooves. Get hep.
Derek: Brian, I’m sorry, I don’t know what “hep” is either. Why are you looking at me?
While everyone knows Derek Phelps the comedian, not many people know that you also play for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. How did you get hooked up with those guys?
Derek: I also perform with the Austin Afro-beat band Hard Proof. The BJL guys saw us playing and liked the horn section, then hired us (the horn section) for a trial period. Two years later and I’m pretty sure we can call ourselves Honeybears now.
What IS a “honeybear?”
Derek: It’s the plastic bottle shaped like a bear that contains honey. “Honeybear” has a better ring to it than Black Joe Lewis & The Plastic Bottles Shaped Like Bears That Contain Honey, which was my suggestion when I joined the band.
(Editor’s note: These last two questions were directed at Derek.)
Will you be performing your own special blend of comedy as well?
Derek: Maybe. But, what do you mean by “special” blend?
You’re a big fan of the game “Braid.” A few years back, you bragged to me that you’d completed the game. Then a few days later, I beat it, too. When I told you, you seem crestfallen, like you’d realized it wasn’t that big of an accomplishment if a dullard like me had figured it out. There’s no question here, you just really hurt my feelings.
Derek: “Crestfallen?!” You really are a writer! I’m actually stuck in that game. I never finished it. Had to look up the solution on Youtube to one of the levels because I was too embarrassed to ask you. Go ahead, gloat…dullard.
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