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Brick Wall Comedy
Brick Wall Comedy

Fool Disclosure

J.J. Whitehead

Stand Up! Records · Album · 2016

Crude, conversational storytelling from an international club veteran.

J.J. Whitehead spent nearly two decades working international comedy clubs before releasing Fool Disclosure in late 2016. The album, released by Stand Up! Records, captures a comic who is completely comfortable working without a safety net, presenting a set that feels less like a rehearsed show and more like a guy telling stories over a pint.

The material ranges from a highly specific ranking of physical intimacy he calls the “hierarchy of holes” to a chaotic story about hanging backstage with Guns N’ Roses in Las Vegas. He also touches on girlfriend troubles, crooked boobs, and the weirdness of dealing with an unlicensed therapist.

While the album was recorded for release in November, the hour itself spent the preceding summer as a hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Playing the Liquid Room Annexe, Whitehead’s loose, unpretentious style was so pronounced that he would frequently start his slot by moving stage furniture around himself while chatting with the arriving crowd.

The set list

3 bits

  1. Axl Rose and an after-show party encounter

    Recounting opening for Guns N' Roses at The Joint in Las Vegas and subsequent backstage interactions involving strippers and Axl Rose's remarks to a pole dancer.

  2. Hotel room television

    An amusing true story centered on the TV set in his hotel room.

  3. Skinny jeans

    Explaining why he avoids skinny jeans because he might want children one day and does not want them to see pictures of him 'dressed like a dick.'

How it plays

Tone
Honest, uncensored, witty, and partially sexual in content.
On stage
Delivered with a lazy, Canadian-inflected drawl, likeable presence, rangy swagger, and wholesome candor.
Pace
Launches confidently into routines, maintaining disarming comfort and audience rapport.
About
Recent travels, Observations on Edinburgh and Scottish people, Opening for Guns N' Roses and backstage encounters, Strippers, older women, alcoholism, and dating

What the critics said

A hit with critics and audiences alike, averaging 4.5-star reviews; praised for his relaxed charisma and outsider perspective on Scotland.

In the room: Warm and engaged; easily handled an audience coughing interruption by dubbing the occasion 'Dry Cough Monday'.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: jjwhitehead.net, heraldscotland.com, chortle.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, itsalivemedia.com, standuprecords.com.

Backstory

Performed at PBH's Free Fringe at The Liquid Rooms during the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, featuring stories drawn from his recent travels.

Details

Released
Taped
Liquid Room Annexe, Edinburgh
Where
Stand Up! Records (album)
Honors
Reached #32 on iTunes comedy chart
Topics

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