Atlanta's "Beads of Comedy" (Note: This review was cleverly written in "Georgia" font)

The BEARDS OF COMEDY Tour stopped into Buffalo on January 27th at the Ninth Ward. This Atlanta-based quartet brought to Babeville a comedy style they describe as "...deeply rooted in stand-up and lighted blended with avant-garde elements of music, sketch, and improv." The Beards are complied of; Joe Zimmerman (nominated by Rooftop Comedy for the Golden Shingle Award – given to the most outstanding rising star in comedy), TJ Young (winner of multiple festival awards, Comedy Death Ray), Andy Sandford (voted “Best Atlanta Comedian” by Creative Loafing, CMT’s “Next Big Comic” Top 12 Finalist), and Dave Stone (Rooftopcomedy.com’s 2010 “Silver Nail Award” winner, voice actor for “Squidbillies”).

   Generally speaking, their act is consistent, well-balanced, and just plain funny. Between their burly, average-joe appearances and somewhat coarse, but honest material emanates a blue collar feel.  A style that was well received in the Buffalo area. 

   
   Their performance was executed in a showcase manner that kept a decent pace, moving one Beard up after the other, complementing one another. Their individual personalities slowly revealed themselves during their set.  Andy Sandford's earnest and hilarious observations on baseball and a Chinese restaurant he recently stopped in on got the ball rolling. 

   
   Andy brought up Dave Stone, who I believe to be their usual closer for the night. It's obvious as to why he would be at the end of a show, as he brought the house down with his stories on toiling with coinstar and taking a "flea market" approach to his healthcare. He kept the crowd roaring with his blunt delivery, as he mused the idea of being kidnapped by an online predator. 

Andy Sandford

   Before the two remaining Beards went up to perform, they brought out Kristen Becker (Dykes of Hazard, Doin' Time Comedy), a local Buffalonian who also had put the night together. She joked with some new bits on local topics, that were right up my alley, during a solid set. Quick, but a nice breather, in between all of that brawny facial hair. 

  
   Shortly following was Joe Zimmerman who humored about how anacondas make horrible pets and how much tempurpedic mattresses are forced on consumers ("You'll never want to leave your bed. Isn't that called depression?"), right before an astoundingly funny poll taken with the audience. His interaction with the crowd showed the poise and presence of an experienced, skillful comedian. 

   Lastly TJ Young went up to close out the Beards. Though the audience wasn't as responsive towards the beginning, TJ's intellectual observations and outrageous ramblings of a hypothetical blind date, pulled them through a strong finish. Comedians won't always have a great show, but it helps when you're prepared and alert. I caught TJ taking many notes during the night, while slumped off to the side. 

  
   I did find a couple of brief lulls during the night, which was forgivable. Especially after reading up and noticed, what I believe was a slight veer from their usual batting order. Whatever slow moment they had, was made up for with an "impromptu" improv game that ended witheach participant breaking the 4th wall, along with a spot on impression of Morgan Freeman (performed by Andy Sanford) reading a Wu Tang song. If laughter were a punishment, then in the words of Andy Sanford (as Morgan Freeman), that was straight up "torture motherf***ers!"

The Beards of Comedy recently released their second album, "Cardio Mix" with Comedy Central Records. To find that and more check out www.beardsofcomedy.com