nathanlundcomedy

[nathanlundcomedy]

This is a crucial time for the fate of America. Will we have the myriad tough conversations necessary to grow and change for the better? Will we acknowledge hard truths about our racist, oppressive, authoritarian past and present in order to create a brighter future?

It's hard to say what the outcome will be. There are so many incredible people and groups speaking out and rallying for action. But those racist, oppressive, authoritarian forces are strong and well funded and will not go down without a fight.

All I can ask is that people, white people especially, stop being willfully ignorant and listen to what others have been saying for decades. Don't continue to take the easy road because it has been afforded to you. Don't ignore hard truths in favor of blissful ignorance and avoid awkward or difficult conversations in some misguided hope that these problems will solve themselves.

Get mad and cry and shake with rage and fear at how awful our institutions can be when we let them, and then emerge a stronger, more informed citizen equipped to take on those terrible systems and fight for justice. Do not be satisfied that it isn't you or your family that has been targeted, because it will be you if you let this bullshit continue.

You don't have to put on a cape and change the world single-handedly tomorrow. Or the next day. But you do have to be better if we are going to survive and thrive and fight the good fight.

[nathanlundcomedy]

RIP 3 Kings Tavern

In 2012, I quit my job at the Mayan Theater to take the dive and focus on stand-up full time. This hasty and foolhardy decision was rewarded almost immediately, when Jim Norris asked me if I wanted to host a comedy-style open mic on Fridays at 3 Kings Tavern. Instead of simply providing a stage and an opportunity, as is often the case when performers and venue owners attempt to work together, Jim offered an absolute sweetheart of a deal: 100 bucks a week, plus free drinks, plus 25 drink tickets for the comics. This could go down as the best open mic night agreement in the history of the universe. Time will tell. Open mics of any stripe are not glamorous or what most normal people would call "fun", but I am so grateful that the 3 Kings mic lasted for almost 8 years. We didn't usually have a lot of attentive audience members, and the early start time meant bombing with the sun still shining for half of the year, but a lot of new comics got to perform on an actual stage for the first time, and I tried to be inviting and supportive when I wasn't too drunk/sober. I gave myself the freakin Denver Comedy Championship at 3 Kings! I mean, the Ensemble of Comedic Writers (ECW) awarded me with the Denver Comedy Championship at 3 Kings wink wink nudge nudge kayfabe kayfabe Some of my absolute favorite memories were made there, especially during the magical manic weekends known as the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) and the High Plains Comedy Festival (RMNP). ESPECIALLY especially getting to reunite with Sam and Chris and Bobby every year and coming up with another ridiculous fucking FGC show opening. A few years ago, we wanted Bobby to surprise the High Plains crowd by appearing onstage atop a motorcycle. Our friend Hank was out of town, and he couldn’t provide us with a key, but he gave us permission to take his hog from outside of his place a few blocks away and walk it over. If you haven’t yet had the chance, I strongly recommend stealing a motorcycle with your best friends, cackling in the moon’s glow as you ghost ride towards the rest of your life. Thank you to Jim and Jeff and Daniela and Lissa and Eryn and Danno and Nini and Cornelia and everyone else who made 3 Kings what it was for so much of Denver, the cool kids and the weirdos and everyone in between. 

[nathanlundcomedy]

Razor Love or I’m Glad I Didn’t Die Before I Met You

Today, April 1st, 2020 AD (after the music died), marks 4 years of sobriety for my wife Meghan. Aaaaand I’m already tearing up. Thanks a lot, “sharing” your “feelings”! Anyway, I wanted to mark the occasion with a few words, because what the hell else do I have going on? Meghan and I have been together for almost 8 years. We were married on her birthday last year, May 7th, and it was the best day of my life. When we met, she was the bar manager at City, O, City (a very hip vegetarian restaurant in Denver) and I was running the long-forgotten weekly comedy show “Too Much Fun!” with the Fine Young Gentle Boys Association (Chaz, Steve, and Brad-o aka Boner Patrol Unlimited aka Dem Dumpsta Boyz). We started Too Much Fun at a bar downtown called the Rockaway Tavern, and when Rockaway closed in late 2011 we were able to move the show into a space above City, O that was soon christened The Deer Pile. After about a year of seeing each other most Wednesdays and exchanging high-fives and drink tickets, we were finally brought together “romantically” thanks to comedian Bryan Cook and his show Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction - the classic love story of our time. The show is exactly what it sounds like, and Bryan had brought the popular CEFF to the Deer Pile for the night. I wrote a disgusting, incest-filled piece about the TV show Arrested Development dubbed “Abreasted Developtits” that didn’t win the evening’s competition (thanks to Jim Hickox’s hilariously lurid tale involving Denver’s comedy scene that absolutely destroyed) but did cause Meghan to ask what I was doing after the show. We walked to my place together and quickly fell hard for one another, despite and maybe because of our shared demon called alcoholism. We both drank a lot and often. She was in the service (of booze) industry and I was in comedy, a subsidiary of the service (of booze) industry.  While my drinking was more social, more tied to stand-up and therefore less immediate of a concern, we were both addicted and desperately needed to quit. I don’t care to get into the weeds of the bad times, but there were some bad times for sure. I experienced a full-blown manic episode for about a month right after we began our relationship. That was followed by an intense bout of isolating depression for Meghan. Thanks, drinking! I wondered what I could do to help while still in denial about my own problem. Mostly, I resigned myself to the hope that if I stuck around and let her know I loved her, Meghan might eventually pull herself free from drinking’s grasp. Thankfully, incredibly, she did, and her strength helped me also give a big old fuck you to blacking out and throwing up and sloppy sets and half-remembered regret about six months later. Comedian Phil Palisoul gave me some great relationship advice years ago. Phil is married to comedian Nora Lynch, and their love has endured decades of navigating the choppy waters of the entertainment business together. He once told me that a marriage is a team, like the Denver Broncos. A two-person team sharing a common goal: happiness. Despite the wins and the losses, the ups and the downs, the team remains a team and keeps moving forward, keeps trying to improve and succeed and learn from one another. After a few rough seasons, filled with heartbreaking losses and a lot of low-speed concussions, Meghan and I made it to the other side. We’re happy as ever, our little team, our family of two people and two dogs and a whole shitload of love and laughter. Happy 4 year soberversary, my dear. I’m glad I didn’t die before I met you.

[nathanlundcomedy]

Remember live stand-up comedy? This was a fun set to start 2020 off right. I wonder how 2020 has gone since then oh yeah it’s hell on earth 

[nathanlundcomedy]

Lost Weekend

This past weekend would have been a real fun one indeed for your old pal Uncle Lund; that is if it weren’t for the damned pesky pandemic what answers to the name “coronavirus”. Friday and Saturday, I was set to open for Josh Blue at the Funny Bone in Liberty Township, Ohio. It would have been my first time performing in Ohio: the Buckeye State! Now I’ll never know what a buckeye is. Sunday, I was going to fly back to Denver early as hell and then take a nap, and then I was supposed to perform on the team pictured below as part of the Comedy Works’ annual (until now?) Funny Final Four competition. Fun fun stuff for sure. Instead, I stayed home all week/weekend and watched my fingernails grow - which is actually something positive to come from this virus. I’ve always chewed my nails, real bad, but now I’m terrified that doing so would kill me.   Thanks, coronavirus! Josh Blue often brings Denver comics on the road to open for him, which is a very nice and helpful thing to do. A lot of headliners don’t care who opens for them and leave it up to the club’s discretion. Other headliners don’t select the comics but will have certain requests: not too dirty, no crowd work, etc. Sometimes a headliner will avoid openers that are similar to them (in material or race or sex) with hopes of preventing the crowd from hearing the same type of jokes all night.  Some headliners will have a specific opener that they rely on for most of their dates. This used to be more common in past decades, but it has mostly gone away for some reason. Often, these comics were friends who came up together. But yet another smooth move was for a headliner to bring a newer comic along with them in order to exploit their bright-eyed willingness to do anything for an opportunity and then screwing them over: low pay, doing all the driving, selling the headliners’ merch for no additional pay. In short, a total dick move from cowards and frauds who know they aren’t very funny and therefore employ sneaky weird moves to protect their spot at all costs.  Josh is special, though. He spreads the love and has a lot of different comedians open for him. And he doesn’t bring new dopes to ensure he is the only star of the show. He works with the best Denver has to offer with no fear of being buried or exposed whatsoever. I don’t think anyone could actually bury Josh Blue. He’s too sharp and funny and warm onstage; even when he’s being mean or dark, his audiences love him. One of the best sets I’ve ever had was a few years ago in Sidney, Nebraska, opening for Josh. I got a standing ovation and felt like I could chuck a tank over the moon. I wondered if Josh would have to work a little harder to win the crowd over; if he might be annoyed that I did so well ahead of his closing set.  I looked like a real idiot when, about 10 seconds in, those people had completely forgotten about whatever the hell I did up there. Josh is one of the best at the craft and I’m very lucky I get to work with him now and again.  The last time I performed was Tuesday, March 10th. I opened for John “Don’t Call Me Hippieman” Novosad (another absolute crusher and sweetest of human beings). I didn’t realize how much I missed stand-up until I wrote this damn thing, so thanks a lot! I hope I get to tell jokes again before 2020 is over. And I hope I get to continue Josh Blue’s tradition of bringing along the next batch of talented Denver comics in my adventures. 

[nathanlundcomedy]

Too Much Fun is tonight and every Wednesday until the end of time!!

Last week we celebrated 5 years of Too Much Fun. It blows my mind that it’s been that long. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and to all the comics who have helped make the show something special. And a big thank you to Dan Landes, Jonny DeStefano, Johnny Morehouse, and everyone else who make the Deer Pile possible!!

[nathanlundcomedy]

Hey y’all, I can’t wait for 2016!! 

Vice’s new television network Viceland is producing a show called Flophouse, and Denver was featured for an episode. The show is supposed to air in March 2016 so stay tuned!!

[nathanlundcomedy]

#Smoothmoveoftheweek

Here is a collection of tweets I have dubbed the #smoothmoveoftheweek at some point in the last two years.  Enjoy!

When getting your picture taken, flip the bird. You look cool AND tough. Smile to add a real curve ball! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Walk your dog while wearing a shirt with your dog on it #smoothmoveoftheweek

Take just TWO STEPS away from the bathroom mirror while brushing your teeth, and you never have to clean it again #smoothmoveoftheweek

Flipping the bird at seat selection fee garbage and still getting 4B #smoothmoveoftheweek #Frontier

I accidentally jerked it into my bottle of @PertPlus and now it's 3 in 1 #smoothmoveoftheweek

Saying farewell to your sister and bros-in-law and only crying a little #smoothmoveoftheweek

If you walk your dog along the east side of Cheesman Park, you can check out 5% of the Denver Botanic Gardens for free #smoothmoveoftheweek

Rent Birdman from redbox, don't watch it for a week, then return Birdman still unwatched #smoothmoveoftheweek #12bucks #Birdbrain

Pretzels on peanut butter and honey sandwiches. It's the new chips on a ham and cheese! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Best part of eating frozen pizza by yourself? No slices required! Just pick an entrance point and start chewing #smoothmoveoftheweek

Fucking up and typing #smoothmoveodtheweek #smoothmoveoftheweek

Getting your first smartphone in Nov 2014 #smoothmoveoftheweek

Don't call them joggers from now on. Call them jogoffs #smoothmoveoftheweek

Yahoo's Fantasy Football recaps describe smart decisions as Smooth Moves #smoothmoveoftheweek

Auditioning for the role of a guy described as 'flummy' #smoothmoveoftheweek

Mac DeMarco Murray #smoothmoveoftheweek

If you throw a Halloween party, put out a bowl of wet spaghetti with a sign that says, "Free spaghetti" #smoothmoveoftheweek

Rocking your John Cena shirt at a wrestling show called Slave to the Death Match #smoothmoveoftheweek

Funny how Tony P's thinks gays are offensive but has no problem blasting Collective Soul at the neighborhood #smoothmoveoftheweek

Flipping your tie up over your shoulder at lunch so you look like an idiot while you eat #smoothmoveoftheweek

There's laxative tea called Smooth Move! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Smoking a bowl with @Sam_Tallent whilst calling a wrestling match between King Kong and Godzilla #smoothmoveoftheweek

Performing at CO You Gots Talents for some goddamn reason #smoothmoveoftheweek

Calling a handful of Honey Nut Cheerios your heart pills #smoothmoveoftheweek

Driving through Rocky Mountain National Park barefoot with the windows down and the heat on #smoothmoveoftheweek

Taking a nap with a baseball game on the TV #smoothmoveoftheweek

Growing your own dill, then using that very same dill in your award-winning dill potato salad! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Bringing your own bags to the UnSafeway, just in case you need to defend yourself with them AND to save the planet! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Hoping to do a comedy show in Des Moines during a tornado warning. #smoothmoveoftheweek

Shower beers: Just because you're getting clean, doesn't mean you have to get sober. #smoothmoveoftheweek

Heading to Omaha for Crom Fest weekend! #smoothmoveoftheweek

3 Kings Open Mic tonight and every Friday, y'all! 6-8pm, cheap drinks! Come out or stay home, either way it's the #smoothmoveoftheweek

Buying an umbrella and holding on to it for more than 4 days! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Actually eating leftovers instead of watching them spoil in your fridge and then throwing them away 2 weeks later! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Forcing prisoners to sort through our recycling so we don't have to! #smoothmoveoftheweek

Naming a tiny dog after someone huge, like Cujo or The Rock #smoothmoveoftheweek

I'll do anything for 100 dollars. Even host a metal show in Laramie, WY #smoothmoveoftheweek

Updating your Facebook and your Twitter with the same stuff  #smoothmoveoftheweek

#smoothmoveoftheweek

[nathanlundcomedy]

High Plains Comedy Festival is next week! This video is from the first High Plains and features a whole bunch of hilarious comedians. Also, be sure to check out my new show “The Woim” next year on Hulu Minus!

[nathanlundcomedy]

Arguments & Grievances is one of my favorite shows in Denver. Once a month, I get to debate ridiculous topics and create random characters. This character is professional pyrotechnics engineer Jackie “Boom” Marshall, arguing for Boom against Bust and Cory Helie. 

Enjoy!

[nathanlundcomedy]

This short film “Hard to Swallow” was made as part of last year’s 48 Hour Film Project in Denver. Starring Jordan Doll, Chris Charpentier, Andy Juett, Kristin Rand, and myself, directed by the Nix Brothers. Enjoy!

[nathanlundcomedy]

The Fine Gentleman’s Club presents another edition of Tickle Monster this Friday July 31st at the Bug Theatre! Doors at 10pm $10 

This month we have Solomon Georgio (Conan) and a very special surprise guest, plus the very funny Justine Marino (MTV) and Denver favorites Jordan Doll (Film on the Rocks), Stephen Agyei (The Underground at the Soiled Dove), and Aaron Urist (Crush City). A very special lineup indeed! This Friday at the Bug Theatre. 

[nathanlundcomedy]

My birthday was yesterday, and it was great. I used to be terrified of getting older, but it rules somehow. I swear less and listen more, and I enjoy beers that aren't the cheapest available while drinking more responsibly. Also my favorite songs now are The Band's "Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Atlantic City". I did not anticipate this.

I'm 33 and that's when Belushi and Farley died. I've been doing stand up for a third of my life. I hope I never stop doing it, and eventually I can say I've been doing it my whole life, since I was 9 years old, before I could even talk, that I had a weekly open mic in my mother's womb that was poorly attended but lauded. And people will let me get away with it, because I'm old and loved.

Live life laughing!

[nathanlundcomedy]

Hey y’all, welcome to my Tumblr! I’m glad there is no e in Tumblr so it saves everyone all that time! Anyway, here is a link to my Funny or Die page. Check out some of the videos I have appeared in!