Jack Passion’s got nothing on Dave Stone. A real man has a full beard and serious TALENT to boot! Dave is a native of Atlanta, Georgia who has earned his comedy chops. Dave was 2012 CMT Next Big Comic Semifinalist and was named one of the top 8 up-and-coming comics in the country by Rooftop Comedy in 2010. If you are familiar with the Adult Swim hit animated series “Squidbillies”, you’ve probably heard Dave voice several characters, including Brock Bell. Dave is also a co-founding member of the acclaimed “Beards of Comedy Tour.” Dave’s fellow beards include Andy Sanford (“Aqua Teen Hunger Force”), Joe Zimmerman (Rooftop Comedy’s Gold Shingle Award nominee), and TJ Young (Adult Swim’s “Squidbillies”). This troupe has released 2 albums, Comedy for People and Cardio Mix. The Beards of Comedy have also created some of the most hilarious comedy shorts I’ve ever seen. Google them now! You can find out even more about Dave in the web series “Modern Comedian” where the talented Scott Moran chronicled his adventures. Don’t be fooled by this mild-mannered southerner. He has invaded LA and is rocking the comedy scene with his highly contagious, self-deprecating humor. Allow him to surprise you.

____

____

Serial Optimist: Greeting Dave! What’s the ideal “Breakfast of Champions” to you? I like to polish down some eggs sunny side up, a few nibs of crispy bacon, some grits, a biscuit and wash it all down with some OJ (don’t judge).

Dave Stone: Cold fried chicken if it’s available, and it usually is.

SO: Ooooh, I need to add that to my list. How long have you been an ATLien (resident of Atlanta)? Did you grow up there? What prompted you to make the move to LA?

Dave: I’ve lived in or around Atlanta for about 25 years. It was a tough decision to leave Atlanta for L.A., but I felt it was a logical progression to move to where the industry and the tacos are.

SO: Good call. How long have you been doing comedy? Do you remember being a funny kid? Tell us about home life growing up.

Dave: I’ve been doing stand up for six years. I was a funny kid and growing up in the rural south there was no shortage of material to be developed.

SO: What is the comedy scene like in Atlanta? Are audiences harder or easier to please?

Dave: The Atlanta comedy scene is really starting to thrive. It is finally a place where aspiring comics are moving to for the purpose of developing an act. There are 5 full time clubs, dozens of rooms and approximately 300 comics. I feel very fortunate to have cut my teeth there. Atlanta and its surrounding area provide different types of audiences. The city has some very smart, comedy-savvy crowds that don’t take kindly to hack material. The suburbs and rural areas are more blue-collar, which provide a great training ground for club/road acts.

SO: Ah, sounds like a perfect testing ground for a green comic. What jobs have you had to supplement your comedy career?

Dave: When I started stand up I was self-employed as a landscape contractor. I sold that business and went full time comedy about 4 years ago. Fortunately, I have scraped by doing comedy ever since.

SO: And with much success. I’ve heard you described as an “underground” comic. What does that even mean really? How would you describe your comedy style?

Dave: I guess I’m “underground” in the sense that I am far from a household name, although I wouldn’t classify my act as such. I feel that I have developed a versatile skill set by doing the “alt” rooms of Atlanta but also spending 175+ days a year working the road and playing clubs. I think both are important in order to become a well-rounded comic.

SO: I think many would agree with you. What have been your biggest comedic accomplishments to date?

Dave: I feel I’m still in the growing phase of my career so I don’t dwell too much on accomplishments, but if I have to pick one, it would be releasing two albums with the Beards of Comedy, most recently Cardio Mix on Comedy Central Records.

____

____

SO: How did the “Beards of Comedy” come together? You’ve amassed quite the cult following. What is it about your group that appeals to so many folks?

Dave: The Beards started in Dec ’08 as a one-off show. At the time we really didn’t envision it being a long-term thing, we just booked one show in Atlanta as a goofy package show. I think part of the appeal is that we all attract a similar audience with similar sensibilities, yet our individual styles are different enough that it makes the show interesting and entertaining.

SO: Funny how things turn out. Can you share some anecdotes about going on the road with your fellow “Beards”, Andy Sandford, Joe Zimmerman, and TJ Young?

Dave: Four personalities traveling together can at times be a test in patience. Not really by intention, but we usually split off in pairs. Joe and TJ are definitely the responsible ones. They can usually be found at the nearest coffee shop and tend to get to bed at a reasonable hour. Andy and I usually find the local dive bars and 24-hour greasy spoons. I also serve as the unofficial enforcer, making sure we don’t get screwed by shady club owners. Once in Omaha, NE, when the bartender and lone employee refused to pay us, I told Andy to pull the van around back and threatened to start loading up an equivalent amount of liquor. I told the guy that we’re leaving here with “$600 worth of something”. He then realized what was about to happen and decided to honor our original agreement.

SO: HA! I like your style! The Beards have recorded two comedy albums, Comedy for People and Cardio. How would you describe the content in these albums and how do they differ from one another?

Dave: I can’t speak for the other Beards, but if I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t have done that first album. I was far too young at comedy to be recording albums. I’m prouder of Cardio Mix as it is a more accurate representation of my act.

SO: Offstage, B of C (yes, I’m that lazy) have put together several short films (“Breakfast Bandito”, “The Fan,” “Help,” “Stain,” & “Basketball”) amassing an impressive number of hits. “The Breakfast Bandito” video was even featured on Funny or Die. What roles does each of you play when putting these video shorts together? What’s been your favorite part of filming these videos?

Dave: Other than stand up, sketches on film are my favorite things to do comedically. I usually take the lead on creating our sketches, having written or co-written (with Andy) most of what we have on YouTube right now, including “Help”, “Breakfast Banditos”, “The Fan”, “The Stain”, “Unknown Atlanta”, and the “Cardio Mix” promo. Our pal and fellow Atlantan, Matt Swinsky, is a huge part of that process as well. He shoots and directs all our projects and adds a beautiful sense of cinematography to our stupid ideas.

____

“Modern Comedian”: Dave Stone

____

SO: The sketches really are terrific. You were recently featured in an episode of Modern Comedian, a web series shot, edited and produced by Scott Moran. Scott follows you around as you drive around LA in your custom van/abode, going about your daily routine and performing gigs. When were you approached to be part of this series? Was it difficult to get used to the camera? What has the reception been like?

Dave: Scott approached me in August and even though I had seen and love the earlier episodes, I was reluctant to do the project only because I was unsure that I wanted to reveal such an intimate look into that part of my life. It’s definitely a vulnerable situation but Scott did a great job with it. I have received dozens of emails from complete strangers saying that the episode was very inspiring. Who knew that having nothing to lose could be inspiring?

SO: Indeed! Were any friends or family surprised when you talked about living out of your vehicle in Modern Comedian? When did you decide to pursue your comedy dream nomad style, temporarily abandoning a conventional dwelling? I must confess that when I first heard you joke about life in the van in your act I thought it was just part of the shtick. Then, of course, I saw the video.

Dave: My family has been very supportive. They know that I’m stubborn enough to do it with or without their support but it has been great knowing that they support such an unorthodox venture. I had been trying to move to L.A. since June of 2011 but wasn’t able to save enough money to do so. In December of 2011 I just decided “screw it, I’ll live in a van if that’s what it takes” and bought the van a month later and spent two months converting the bare-bones cargo van into a mobile apartment, doing all the work myself with some assistance from a few Atlanta comics.

SO: Nothing like a team effort! In the video some of the inconveniences you talk about dealing with are bathrooms, groceries, and parking. My question for you is how easy is it to find a wireless hotspot?

Dave: McDonalds and Starbucks never let me down.

SO: Thumbs up! In your act you talk about being a vegetarian for a couple of years. How would you describe the experience the first time you ate meat again for the first time?

Dave: I was basically a vegetarian because my girlfriend at the time was. When we broke up I immediately hopped back on the meat train. My first post-veg meal was chicken wings at Outback Steakhouse with Joe Zimmerman. It was glorious.

____

Dave Stone: Fat Vegetarian at The Laugh Factory

____

SO: Lip smacking good. What’s it been like doing voice work for the Adult Swim series, “Squidbillies”? How did that come about? Do you plan to do more voiceover work? How many squid hillbillies do you think are lurking in the Georgian Appalachian mountains (I had to look up the plural of hillybilly)?

Dave: The “Squidbillies” gig has been great. I was a fan of the show before I started working for them so it has been a huge thrill. The show’s creator, Dave Willis, saw me perform several times in Atlanta and then asked me to read for the part of Brock Bell. I guess he liked it because I’ve been featured in episodes in seasons 6 & 7 with plans to do more episodes soon. Being a lifelong southerner myself, I can say that the show captures an authentic sense of southern culture that Hollywood has yet to get right. Even though the show is quite absurd, there is definitely a real charm to the characters and I’m honored to be a part of it.

SO: We’re looking forward to more episodes. What does Dave Stone have in store for his adoring fans? Any projects you can speak of?

Dave: The Beards are currently working on a web series that will debut on the MSN homepage in October. We also are shopping another web series to a few sites. I have been developing some projects with a few of my L.A. pals that will hopefully see daylight soon. And of course touring is always on my agenda. I get back out on the road this fall/winter, starting with the Seattle International Comedy Competition in November.

SO: Thanks Dave! We will look out for you on MSN and on tour. Happy trails!

____

SO Note: Follow Dave @davestonecomedy, make sure and check out tour dates and all kinds of fun at beardsofcomedy.com, and watch the Dave Stone “Modern Comedian” episode here. But most importantly, buy the new Beards album Cardio Mix here!

All photos by Diwang Valdez.