Steven Marcus Releford & Welcome to A.A. - Comedy

    I met the stand up comedy artist known as Steven Marcus Releford long ago, when he was hitting his stride performing on both American coasts in addition to Los Angeles, California and cities in the midwest known for stand up comedians like Chicago, Illinois and Boston, Massachusetts. Since then he's moved on performing for film, making big crowds laugh even bigger onstage, and being interviewed for podcasts and real life publications audiences respect. 

    When I last saw him perform at his sold out show The Improv in Hollywood, there were so many people there just to see him I realized he wasn't just a big part of the professional Hollywood stand up scene...that night, talking quietly to his friends after the show in front of a legendary location, Marcus was the scene. People laughed sincerely and stayed long after, because he's his true authentic self, on stage or off.

    His latest show that we're all going to is WELCOME TO A.A., an ongoing extravaganza of jazz, improv, comedy, storytelling and that little bit extra, worth more than platinum, that is artists socializing, creating a true cultural scene. The show has been going on for some time, generating a loyal following in a town where anything on the regular could get disrupted. The fact that WELCOME TO A.A. persists shows true dedication...a quality every human wants when they enjoy a good night out. 

Don't miss this. Tickets are still available.

    It's been my honor to work with Steven Marcus Releford...Marcus, when it's not business, and the shows we've done together benefit from his spirit. He is the casting director for many of my projects. Because of Marcus I've met real living legends and real comedy artists like Ben Hurwitz, Malik Bazille, Vanessa Jeha and Dave Moon. That's an additional benefit of working as a professional comedian in a city like L.A. where reputations matter. He's the businessman to consult when real talent is needed.

Nobody will ever forget the unique success of our first THIRTEEN.

    Marcus has organized a show called WELCOME TO A.A. It's on June 27th at Culver City. You have to RSVP on his Instagram to get the real location, though! It's going to be worth it. Here's even more good news...I was able to interview Steven Marcus Releford and ask some real questions about his life and the pursuit of art. Just like his comedy, any conversation with Marcus is a real professional talking, not some memorized script for maximum profits. Like I've said, he's his true authentic self. No surface performance detected. 

Direct words from the man, himself!

    HUNTING SZN is his latest comedy construction project, a mixtape of his best delivered as an, "A.S.M.R. Comedy Experience." After you read this interview, please follow those links and give them a listen. It's worth your time. If you'd like to truly enjoy your evening in L.A., go ahead and R.S.V.P. for WELCOME TO A.A., ok?

Marcus in motion, manifesting what's funny.

Why is "Hunting Szn" unique, compared to previous comedy albums?

This is more of a comedy mixtape. It's just a compilation of my favorite jokes that will be more refined and flushed out on the upcoming album. I think the presentation will be unique and the material will stand the test of time.

I've seen a wide diversity of audience members all laugh together at your jokes. Why is it that so many different people can relate to your humor?

I'm not sure. I keep a balance of simple day to day observational stuff mixed with deeply, absurdity, thoughtful silliness people enjoy.

Steven Marcus Releford has also worked with 

living legends like Tom Rhodes.

When should a stand up comic release an album?

I don't know...I guess when you have a voice and a unique idea combined with the access to equipment, editing...go for it. I've yet to release an album though I'm planning on recording a catalog of stuff soon.

I've seen examples of your film acting in THE LOVE OF REASON. You have an undeniable stage presence. What other acting projects are you involved in?

I'm working on producing my own shorts and web series, keeping my ear to the acting streets and auditioning as well though I'm eager to work on creative projects, I'm more interested on building something myself.

Steven Marcus Releford flies high in THE LOVE OF REASON.

What's the best advice you can give a young, new comic, now that you are a respected veteran?

I don't know about that. What makes a veteran, I guess? One who's been at with the system, small or large? And yes in that sense I could be...though more measurements would be success and there is small wins and big wins...me treading water is like a soldier crawling for safe cover a small win, as art is both peace and war with one's self, have fun and enjoy the journey...though the best advice I can give is your environment is A and your material is B though your material must be in your DNA.

Steven Marcus Releford, as himself.

    These days stand up comedy is a modern interface of social media, physical locations, and the comedian working for an audience, or to find one. If you truly love stand up comedy, please follow Marcus on social media, as well as other comedians you like. It's the fastest way to find out about shows and benefit the artist, straight to the source.

    It's good times for stand up comedy in L.A. This is the only city where you can see the future of comedy, right now. If you are feeling lonely, if you feel like you don't socialize enough, or meet enough new people, go see live comedy in your city, if you can't make it here. You'll feel better. Laughter isn't just the best medicine, it is also the healthiest narcotic. 

Follow Steven Marcus Releford on Instagram for more updates, and to DM for an RSVP to his shows, right here: STEVEN MARCUS RELEFORD

Check out "Hunting SZN" right here: HUNTING SZN

If you like Steven Marcus Releford you'll love his podcast! FOLLOW HIS PODCAST HERE

Get tickets to WELCOME TO A.A. with Steven Marcus Releford here: WELCOME TO A.A.

Pyncher, Their Single "Get Along" and You - Music

This single rocks...listen to it and ascend.

A short while ago it was the 80's and I had just started junior high in the thriving metropolis of Rancho Cucamonga, California (in America) when my friends met one day with me to discuss that we were now all totally dedicated to a) skateboarding, and b) being punk rock/listening to punk music.

That part of Southern California is a region known as "Dogtown" to the skateboarding community because it's near to San Bernardino County, the murder capitol of our wonderful state. Not intended to be a compliment (skating down the streets of south Ontario could get you shot in the 80's and now) the fair denizens made it their flag. 

                           

                 Dogtown Skateboards, from Thrasher Magazine.

Skateboarding and punk rock were synonymous to us and where we skated, whether it was Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Upland, Claremont, Montclair, Fontana or San Dimas and beyond. The first albums I listened to as a teenager were Join the Army by Suicidal Tendencies, Give me Convenience or Give me Death by The Dead Kennedy's, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by The Cure, Bad Music for Bad People by The Cramps, Never Mind the Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols by Sex Pistols, and Atomizer by Big Black. 

My first album I bought was Living in Darkness by Agent Orange. We got onto our skateboards and rode down the streets from Ontario to Upland where I dropped $5 on vinyl at a Music Plus downtown. They didn't have cassette tapes for the work. We then went home, put the album on a record player, popped in a blank cassette, repeated the process for the other side, and I now had a copy of a genuine Orange County, California surfpunk, or just punk, record plus cassette. That's progress.

Living in Darkness, by Agent Orange.

Before I go further, check out their cover of "Pipeline." Wow! Moving on decades later Pyncher sent me an email with a link to their latest single, "Get Along." I wondered at this. Pyncher isn't punk, exactly. They are vastly more unique and evolved. I'd still count their music as postpunk from the Manchester, UK scene, which makes it a direct connection to the source. Wow, again!

Understand that, I like Pyncher. No just as a music band. They are very cool, good, honest, seriously music oriented people I'm emotionally invested in. So it's important to listen to "Get Along," as an outside observer, while to other coin's side is that a badass band emailed me a single! I didn't have to get on my Mike McGill mini with Indy 150's, German bearings and Santa Cruz 65A Slimeballs while I ollie'd curbs and did my best not to fall on my face in the streets of south Ontario, CA holding Agent Orange's record in a plastic bag. Open email, follow link, enjoy music. Not much risk. 

Get it. You'll love it.

It was a rush to listen to the song. The energy, driving backbeat, thrashing guitar grooves, bone throbbing drum beats and harsh, powerful vocals synthesized, creating a single dedicated to getting you along the highway, sidewalk, or just life. The song is ominous. It reminded me of bands like Sonic Youth, Echo and The Bunnymen or Jesus and Mary Chain. It's rock and roll. It's going places, or "Get Along" is going to get you. Probably both. 

When I first listened to Pyncher long ago (there's a review for one of their singles on my site, if you look) what captured me was their ferocious, punk energy. That cannot be manufactured or processed. "Get Along" has that fire, like a locomotive comprised of guitars, drums, bass, vocals and sheer supersonic inspiration. I turned up the volume listening to the song, and wanted to drive faster. It has that Zen. 

Listening to the single really is a jaunt. There's discovery and surprises. Pyncher had studied the greats, you can feel so many influences throughout their music, yet "Get Along" is it's own machine. Each song they compose has a story. The lyrics can haunt, echo, rock and wail, like the other musicians playing in the band. The best part is how their songs can become part of the soundtrack to your life, if you want, and take you right off this slow, unimaginative Earth. 

The very fine music band known to the world as Pyncher.

One of the great advantages being me is that I get the honor of talking to musicians about music. Sam Blakely took time from touring and making music to share some words about why "Get Along," got made, and what it's like being part of the charisma Pyncher possesses. 

What's the inspiration for "Get Along?" 

I didn't think much about inspiration when writing it. I was listening to a lot of Sonic Youth at the time. I wrote the song on Harvey's acoustic guitar in one afternoon and I suppose I was trying to write a love song because I was tired of writing depressing lyrics, but it turned out a bit different. 

Does the song have a message?

The song is about looking back and longing for something, even if it wasn't all good at the time. And that's quite a universal feeling, I think. 

Pyncher has gone very far in just a few years. How do you feel about that?

It's quite special to me because I never felt like I would ever share my songs with anyone. I wrote a lot when I was younger but was quite embarrassed by what I was doing. It wasn't until I was 18 when I reached out to Harvey and Jack and showed them my music. I'm sure it wasn't great for at the time so I'm grateful to them for sticking with me and backing what I make. 

There's so much more we want to do but we know how hard it is to get anywhere in music right now. So we're trying to work hard and enjoy what we do in equal measure. Which is tougher than it sounds. 

How does "Get Along," compare to previous songs you've written?

It definitely has some sort of energy we haven't managed to capture in any of our other songs. I think the simplicity and rhythm of the song made it a fun challenge to write. It's nice to be restricted sometimes. 

What do you think will happen next for Pyncher?

I wish I could know. Hopefully great things. 

...

At 50, it's time to realize that the customers have to go home, machines must be deactivated, the lights will turn off, and one day your life will be CLOSED. Whatever. All the friends I grew up with are dead or so far away we never talk. My entire family died years ago. Socialization is as rare as a falling star. 

Skateboarding is still an option, which is a good thing. I'll always have the music, though. Bands like Pyncher, The Cramps, Skinny Puppy, The Cure, Black Market Baby, Manufacture, N.W.A., etc. gave me a companionship real life couldn't, and can't, anymore. Good music makes you feel less alone, like you'll never slow down, and I am thankful. Great songs give you wings. Keep flying high and fast, Pyncher. We love the acceleration. 

Enjoy Pyncher on Facebook. It feels good.

The next best feeling is being with Pyncher on Instagram. I follow them. It's great!

Don't forget X, where Pyncher is there to provide you with love and music.

Pyncher has a website where swag and paraphernalia are there for you.

Linktree is there for thee, where you can listen to Pyncher for free.

This is a direct link to Pyncher's new, luscious, unique, fun, entertaining single "Get Along" which is why I wrote this whole small exegesis.

If you like this website feel free to donate money to me, it keeps it all ad and pop up free!