Forty Funny Things

happened at Cole's last night as Foz the Hook opened for the open mic, which was hosted by Mo Welch and Kevin Hogan. As usual, the show featured a long list of forty comics, who did some serious funny business. There were excellent sets by the likes of Natalie Jose and Christopher Condron. Also, the comics/real people ratio seems to be down to about 2/1. The bar was full and there seemed to be sixty souls in the back room. This is getting to be one of the best free comedy shows in Chicago.

But you are here to read about the FtH set, no? Well, we took a bit of a risk by opening with Somebody Write Some Music, a spoken word beat poem. Drums and bass got rearranged into a more regular Jazz vamp, and we even added a piano intro. It was a good call, and credit is due Dan for suggesting. It turned out to be an amusing segue from background music to beginning the show, and the room gradually transitioned from chat mode to show mode. That's so much better than shouting at everybody to shut their yaps and watch the funny.

With Drunk Astronauts yada yada yada.

Dancing was reported in the back of the room during Vibrating Chicken Stomp. That's what I'm talking about! It's not like we're playing Clair de Lune here. If a barn yard song with three upsetting super-vibrato chicken blurts makes you want to writhe on the ground like you're having a Grand Mal, then just drop trow and do it.

Gin-Soaked Yankee made the list tonight, and we all agreed that it went alright. This is not a laugh out loud song, but it's super fun to play. When the vocal performance gets up to speed, I think people will get into it.

Then we used Whiskey What Done It to lead into the Mo Welch Fanfare. This was an audience participation idea, so the audience gets the credit for just how crazy it it got. Basically, Foz got the audience to start chanting "Mo! Mo! Mo!" Then we did it double-time with Patrick increasing the pulse and Dan laying down a bass drone. Finally, when the whole room was thumping "Mo," Foz screamed out Led Zepplin's Immigrant Song, naturally substituting "Mo" for Robert Plant's "Waaaaaa".

Once we turned the show over the Mo and Kevin they kept the wild going for the rest of the night.

Regular hosts Adam Burke and Cameron Esposito turned up after their date at Schuba's, and that kept things on fire for the rest of the evening. Adam and Cameron have really created a comedy monster at Cole's. Can't wait till next week.

Oh, Also! Both Dan and Patrick begged off early, saying they had to get some sleep. They were both still there drinking when Foz staggered out at last call. I love this band.