ERIC ALBERT
(The comedy world really needs its funny, creative performers to make the people laugh and take our art to new levels. The comedy world also needs business savvy organizers who are able to get rooms, book shows and make these things happen. Every once in a while, we are lucky enough to get both types in one person. The biggest Hudson Valley comedy event of the summer was the brainchild of one of these unique individuals. Just two weeks from the Slaughter Stand-Up Summer Showdown, we sit down with the man himself to discuss the comedy business and the event itself.)
NAME: Eric Albert
HOMETOWN: Sloatsburg, NY
BIRTHPLACE: Richmond Hill, Queens
BEEN DOING COMEDY SINCE: 2004 but took a 3 year break, I've been back at it since 2011 thanks to the plethora of mics and supportive people in the area.
COMEDY HEROES: George Carlin, Bob Schimmel, Dennis Miller, Bill Cosby, Bill Burr, Ruth Buzzi, Paula Poundstone, Gallagher… the list goes on
PEOPLE AROUND THIS AREA ARE GETTING TO KNOW YOU BY YOUR ASSOCIATION
WITH SLAUGHTER STAND-UP. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT SLAUGHTER IS AND
HOW IT GOT STARTED?
Slaughter Stand-Up is a
close knit comedy family, it started out with Dan DiMarino, Dave Saitzyk
and myself and has grown to include some of the best people in the area,
and by best I mean personally and as a comic. I really appreciate the
level of dedication
all of us put into this little thing that just started out as a way to
brand ourselves but has morphed into an idea, a community, a way for
comics who are just starting out to really make the most out of their
stage time and get paid for what they put so much
of their hard work and time into.
I GOT TO SEE YOUR SET AT DAVE SAITZYK'S OPEN MIC AT A.O.H. IN
MONROE, NY. FIRST OF ALL, I REALLY ENJOY YOUR STUFF. SECONDLY, HOW CAN
YOU LOVE BASEBALL AND STILL BE A METS FAN?
I'll answer your question with a question and ask; how can you love
comedy and say you enjoyed my set? No really thanks man I appreciate it,
I can't wait to see you up on stage, I've heard good things. As far as
the Mets thing goes, I grew up in Queens in
the 80s. I'm a product of my environment, that and I actually hate
myself deep down and must be punished. Ya Gotta Believe!
YOU ARE BECOMING KNOWN NOW NOT ONLY AS A TALENTED COMIC BUT ALSO AS
A VERY SUCCESFUL BUSINESSMAN ON THE COMEDY SCENE, HOW DO YOU BALANCE
BEING A GREAT LOCAL PERFORMER WITH NOW BECOMING A REALLY SUCCESSFUL.PROMOTER OR SHOW RUNNER?
I think you overshot with successful and talented, I would say
moderately passable on both fronts. It's tough, I have no time,
everything is run together on a shoe-string budget. I just consider
myself to be lucky to have found great venues like Character's
with supportive ownership and comics who really care about making the
show the best it can be.
THE BIG SLAUGHTER EVENT OF THE SUMMER IS THE "SLAUGHTER STAND-UP
SUMMER SHOWDOWN" IN SLOATSBURG STARTING JUNE 17, 18, 20 AND 21 AT
CHARACTERS BAR. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT?
This is the big summer
event for us as a comedy community. I really wanted to do something to
get comics who may not have come across each other at shows,
or even connected thru facebook to have the chance to work with new
people and network in a setting where they're bringing their best to the
table. The 17th, 18th, 20th and 21st are just the 1st round, we still
have the semifinals on the 24th and 25th and
then the finals on the 28th ahead of us. I think its going to shape up
to be an awesome 2 weeks. The finals will have the best 5 from the
contest (what I've dubbed the Slaughterhouse Five) performing for the
chance to get 2 paid headlining gigs, plus Jerrold
Benford headling. Should be bonkers to steal a Ryan Daltonism.
AFTER THE WPDH COMEDY COMPETITION, I THINK PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE
NERVOUS ABOUT THE IDEA OF STAND-UP CONTESTS. AND YET YOU HAVE 64 PEOPLE
ALREADY LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED. WHAT MAKES THIS COMPETITION DIFERENT
FROM THE OTHERS?
This competition is a
little different in the aspect that I actively sought out comics instead
of letting anyone and their mother (who is more than welcome to attend)
get on stage. Granted we have a few 1st timers and guys that are new to
the game but these
are people who have had an itch to do it for a looooong time and we've
given them an opportunity to try it out. I think everyone is looking at
this event as more than a competition, its more of a networking tool and
a way to get some free stage time.
LET'S CUT THROUGH ALL THE B.S. AND GET TO THE QUESTION THAT MEANS
THE MOST TO SO MANY OF US AS COMICS IN THE HUDSON VALLEY... IS THERE ANY
MONOY TO BE MADE OUT THERE BY TALENTED AND DRIVEN INDIVIDUALS OR SHOULD
WE ALL GIVE UP NOW?
Pack it in, there isn't
shit out there. C'mon really? Of course there's money to be found, all
you gotta do is give enough of a shit to try and get yourself more stage
time, more gigs and in my case better material.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO GET MORE INFO ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ERIC ALBERT INCLUDING SHOWS AND EVENTS?
That's easy ask my
girlfriend she knows more about what I'm doing on any given day than I
do. But if you wanted a more direct path you could try my facebook
- facebook.com/mediocremarvel or my twitter - @mediocremarvel and don't
forget to check out the Slaughter Stand-Up facebook page cuz it has
more info about lots of comics in the area not just little ol' me. www.facebook.com/SlaughterStandUp
I've said it before. I'll say it again. I believe that in a few years, if you are performing in the Orange County area, Eric Albert will be the one signing your paychecks. I highly recommend that everyone go out and see the Slaughter Stand-Up Summer Showdown at Characters Bar in Sloatsburg. If you are going to pick one day to go, might I recommend Thursday the 20th. No particular reason....
Also make sure to like our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HvFunny for all the latest news on the H.V. Funny Blog. + & X-D -Steve
