Admittedly, I have been somewhat slacking on the updating of this series that I have started.  My apologies to the 4 people, that includes Farley, that read this.  Or maybe I am grossly underestimating the amount of traffic this particular series generates even though it has a very special place in my cold, dark, dead heart.

Here is something I have noticed about myself recently:  I am digging A LOT of San Francisco based comedians and comedy.  I don’t care if its cliche or what not to say, but they are doing some inventive, crazy and hilarious shit out there.  Don’t get me wrong, I think the Cincinnati scene that I suppose I am a part of is pretty rad, too.  But, its a numbers game.  San Fran is bigger and seemingly more alive creatively due to opportunity.  The citizens of that city are more likely to support live art or maybe there is just so many more of them that you can do more?  Either way, I’m really digging what is getting dropped out there on the comedy scene.  Don’t worry, I am still in love with where I am now and all the cool shows, etc we do around here.

Here are a couple more San Fran based freaks that are doing things in super awesome way and it is only a matter of time before I drag my stupid ass out there to force them to collaborate with me in some unholy and fun-filled project.

Mary Van Note -  If you live in San Francisco you know her.  If you live in San Francisco and don’t know her, what the fuck is your problem?  She is currently on the “pumpkin penis tour” and if that doesn’t pique your interest, I am not sure what will?  But, enough of that, let me explain what is unexplainable – her comedy.  You have to be exposed to it to know what I am talking about. Unfortunately, theres is not a ton of her stand up online, but that is not to say you cannot get an awesome amount of her stuff online.  As we all know seeing something live is so much better than not, but until you can get out to see her, here’s her Andy Kaufman Award submission video:

She also has a really kick ass web series The Mary Van Note Show and if you know me, you know I love web series more than anything.  I guarantee you have not seen a show like this and if you have, I will come over and suck on your toes or do some other kind of thing that you think would not be enjoyable for me.  That is how confident I am.  If you want to lose many hours of your life watching online videos of great variety and hilarity, check out here youtube channel, too.  You may not know who she is now, but you will soon enough.

Chris Garcia – This guy, kid, whack job, maniac, future superstar, champion of killer outfits will mystify you with his ability to make you laugh with stuff you cannot wrap your brain around even after the fact.  He is part of the awesome web series, “Elevator to Space” with Under the Rock alum Alex Koll.  One of my favorite Garcia pieces is this absurd video that is one of those things that would draw a line in the sand of our friendship.  If you do not like it, maybe we should just part ways:  Billy’s House of Shawarma Presents: Hamburger Harry Time:

Billy’s Haus of Shawarma Presents: Hamburger Harry Time! from Chris Garcia on Vimeo.

Chris unfortunately does not have much to grasp onto, at least not that I could find of his stand up comedy online.  But, you can get lost down the rabbit hole of comedy and good times by going to his Vimeo Channel.  There are certain artists in the world that you just know you can count on making funny and well done comedy art for the rest of their lives and Garcia is one of the many that fall into that category.  His website is a great place to go and get turned on to what he is doing and what he is in to at the moment.  I was lucky enough to be able to use one of his kickass videos for the Flick My Clip Film Festival we put on at Go Bananas earlier this year and I want to put that video here as well.  The very funny Ali Wong who comprises the other half of the sketch group “Rice & Beans” is also in this video:

American Apparel from Chris Garcia on Vimeo.

I really appreciate the artist who works their ass off.  Why?  I think it is obvious.  The truly great ones at anything are not only born with the ability, but also work hard to master that ability.  And sooner or later the world will be aware of these hard workers.  People have said to me that the entertainment industry is not fair and there is no guarantee that the truly talented will ever “make it.”  The truly talented who work hard will “make it” I believe.  I believe it is inevitably so because the universe does have a sense of justice…even if it takes awhile.

Tom Simmons -  Tom is the perfect example of what some people call, “too smart for you own good.”  I could not disagree more with those people.  His comedy is evidence that you do not have to hit people over the head with your politics to make a good and smart point all the while maintaining the comedic integrity of a joke teller.  People always default to Bill Hicks, at least most comics do when talking about relevant and political humor.  The reason I think this is true is because he never forgot about the joke.  Tom never forgets about the joke.  In fact, even if he has to go away from the joke for a little while, he ensures there is a well trained and responsible joke sitter there in his abscense, which he is constantly calling to check the status of the joke while he is gone.  I think you get the point.  To further clarify the type of comedian he is I will use these quick examples.  He has been told by numerous club owners, “You need to dumb it down for the people.”  Or, “Why don’t you tell jokes that aren’t so real?”  And other variations of those kinds of sentiments.  Someday this thought provoking comic will crawl his way to the top of the rock.  Here is some more of his stuff, but this bastard is another one of the creatures that needs to step up his online presence game.

Matthew Ryan -  Here is a musician that owned my ears for at least a year straight with his album May Day.  He was first introduced to me by my good friend Heath Galley.  The first time I heard him was on a burned disc as I drove from D.C. to Dayton, OH.  It was the only thing I listened to the whole drive.  I was convinced this album was a soundtrack to my life at the time and still need to be convinced otherwise.  Sometimes an artist can grab you by throat and command you listen to them over and over and over again.  Matthew Ryan’s grip still holds strong.  He is ahead of the curve by constantly putting his music and other videos online for his fans to check out.  He keeps his online world fresh, so as keep people like me appeased with new offerings of his awesomeness on a regular basis.  He may not be a household name, but his music is staggering.  If your life needs and injection of some fresh, gut-wrenching, edgy, beautiful, honest, and just awesome music, do yourself a favor and check him out.