Comedy pub produces twice the laughs

by Kenneth Bullock

A local pub is sending audience members home chuckling by bringing comedians to town each week.

The Rockhead Pub brought in Gad Holland, a comedian from Detroit and Michael Harrison, a comedian from Saskatchewan to entertain Windsorites Feb. 8.

The night started with the host and managing partner of Rockhead, Josh Haddon. Haddon cracked a few jokes before giving the stage to Windsor comic, Andrew Reaume. A few relationship and dark jokes later, Reaume stepped off to give the spotlight to Holland and then the show finished with Harrison causing laughs throughout the pub.

Harrison said he’s done stand-up on The Comedy Network’s popular program, Comedy Now. He said he does shows at festivals, bars, schools and anywhere else he can perform. Harrison said he got into comedy simply because he is funny and really likes watching and performing stand-up. Harrison’s first comedian viewing was at his elementary school. He said the comic made him laugh so hard, his bullies laughed at him because he looked so funny.

Harrison said he no longer experiences anxiety on stage. He said he becomes more nervous in casual conversation. In the beginning of his career, he said he became nervous more easily. Harrison said when he began his act, he would stutter on words and his voice would become higher.

Harrison said in his opinion an important aspect of being successful at stand-up is being a decent person, that taste in humour isn’t really a factor when entertaining an audience.

“No one has a joke taste, it’s all down to likeability,” said Harrison. “If they like you, they’ll take a moment to find you funny, but that’s common.”
Holland said he follows the same philosophy, the best way to relate to an audience to just be yourself.

“If you’re honest with a good mentality, it’s difficult for some to really criticize you,” said Holland.

Holland said a lot of his jokes are taken from real life experiences, arguments, life events and just normal conversations. Holland said his comedy career began when a friend signed him up for open mic with him knowing. He had nothing prepared but managed to get the audience to clap for him with no criticisms.

“I never thought comedy was a thing I could do until he pushed me into it,” said Holland. “You don’t know you can swim until you hop in the pool.”

Holland and Harrison both said the only way to be a successful comedian is to work hard at it. Harrison said to hit as many place as you can, write down ideas for jokes, stories and any other things you can think of. He has personally seen people who work hard day in and out who do exceptionally well.

Holland talked about his own philosophy for comedy. He said laughter is a divine gift given only to humans. He also said he believes if you go a single day without cracking a smile or laughing, it’s a day wasted.