andy sandford

Beards Amongst Beards

In a many parts of this vast disconnected metropolis populated by the phenomena known as “the hipster” (many of the male form sport an unruly beard), there is a thick haze of cynical intellectualism that has seeped into the cultural DNA of Los Angeles.  Even within comedy and the intention to bring levity to a group strangers, an air of pretension precedes many jokes with obscure references and abstract irony.  Again, many of these male “hipsters” take on the growth of a beard almost as a uniform of their general disdain for the main stream.

Though they have some mighty thick beards, the Beards of Comedy hardly come within a ballpark of the above description as they have an approach to comedy that, I believe, is welcoming to all (well, mostly all as long as you like your comedy leaning on the smarter side of the fence).

As they have an album called, “Comedy for People”, the quartet of Joe Zimmerman, Andy Sandford, TJ Young, and Dave Stone collectively bring a take on America and “the South” that’s both charming, yet highly satirical much to the delight of the tight crowd at Meltdown Comics.  The comedic balance struck between the four who carry many comedy accolades with them all from Rooftop Comedy to being Atlanta’s Best Comedian via AtlantaStandsUp.com was so great that the show moved forward quite effortlessly even with the amazingly hilarious musings of comedic genius/special guest Kyle Kinane.

 

With the fresh goofiness of TJ Young,

the clever conciseness of Andy Sandford,

down-to-earth truthful observations of Dave Stone,

and the joyful absurdities of Joe Zimmerman (pictured at top), The Beards of Comedy put on such a damn fine show, I could have sworn that the crickets outside shut up.  Together, as hinted above, they bring a hope about “the South” that there are people, thinkers if you will, that defy the dreary stereotypes constantly made fun of by several comics including themselves and unfortunately played up by the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour”.  

At one part of the show, Joe Zimmerman took a guitar and TJ Young took a bucket and played a “Sad Emotional Song”, which, to me, a self-loathing hopeless romantic, was a pitch perfect barb on the popular singer/songwriter music that overwhelms indie film soundtracks today.  Though being a far cry from “Git R’ Done”, I hope the Beards’ brand of comedy experiences a similar meteoric rise.

Currently on tour throughout the West Coast, the Beards of Comedy will helpfully extend their tour or simply go another one to stop by Los Angeles.  In the meantime, you can purchase their album, “Comedy for People” here and stay tuned to the Comedy Bureau for what is sure to be a date with destiny back in LA to be beards that stand out from the madding crowd (of beards).