Friends that drink together, stay together

Photo Credit: Jason Ruiz

Hosts Jerry Brandt (left) and Chris Adams (right) entertain an in studio guests

during their hour long session of drink talk.

     Don't let the name fool you, Jerry Brandt and Chris Adams don't actually drink on the air. But the "Drinking Buddies", both aspiring stand up comedians, do discuss all the super important topics that arise when one drink turns into a 11 or 12.

"Most comics after the show will sit down, have a few drinks, talk shit and so on," Brandt said. "The point of the show was to be like, these are the types of conversations that comics have, but only on a radio show now."

"There's a lot of alcohol in comedy," Adams chimed in. 

     Adams and Brandt met while performing at local open mic nights and befriended each other after an initial standoffish stage that is a self proclaimed trait of the comedian lifestyle. Jerry, a 32-year-old military veteran and cancer survivor and Adams, 27, have a chemistry that has vaulted them to be one of the most listened to shows in KBeach's lineup.

     Their show got off to a fast start with an interview with comedy and radio veteran Adam Carolla calling in as a guest during the first 5 minutes of their first show.

"It was like, Adam Carolla is calling during your first show, it was really nerve wracking," Adams said."

"Luckily he's such a radio pro he was able to carry us for a few minutes and we made it through," Brandt said. 

     In addition to trying to get people to laugh, the duo hope to spread awareness of stand up comedy because they feel that it is an under-appreciated art form that most students would enjoy if they were to experience it live. Their show often features comedians performing in Long Beach area who either call in or occasionally stop by for in studio interviews to talk about the art of comedy and plug their tour dates. Adams and Brant have interviewed the likes of Steve-O from Jackass and Kevin Hart along with many other traveling comics.

"There's something about being there live that you just cant get on CD," said Adams. "A good comic makes you think they're talking to me, makes me laugh, makes me think and that's just really hard to capture on a recording."

     In addition to performing locally, Adams and Brandt also host events in the Long Beach area. Beginning in May, they'll start to host a monthly stand up show at the Art Theatre on 4th Street in Long Beach and in June, the two will perform monthly under their "Drinking Buddies" title at the Improv. On May 19th, Steve Mazan will be performing at the Art Theatre for a benefit for the American Cancer Society. The $9.00 ticket charge will go toward the society to aid in research for a cure.