Comedian and Phat Phree Writer Chad Zumock

Everyone [at location where I conducted interview] seemed to know, or had at least heard of Chad Zumock before I started this interview with him. I started asking questions about him to a few local Clevelanders I know and they always seemed to know (or know of) him. "I know Zumock, I went to college with him," one guy said. Another female onlooker said, "Chad's a cutie, I just saw him perform at the Improv a couple of weeks ago."

Zumock's the kind of guy everyone seems to know... and he seems to know everyone. The former Kent State Alum has been intricate part of the independent comedy scene here in Cleveland over the years. He was one of the original members of Cleveland Magazine 's best comedy troupe of 2006, "Last Call Cleveland," a contributing editor to the runaway mash-up humor website "The Phat Phree," and now apparently on the verge of being one of Cleveland's brightest up and upcoming stand-ups.

Bright blue eyes, likeability, and always-candid appraisals are what seems to intrigue and draw people to him. During our recent exchange at Bassa Vita, I notice that Chad (pictured here with one of many enamored Browns tailgaters) has this thing about laughing at his own misfortune: "I was headed down Priority Lane in life but, 25 firings and at least that many disastrous relationships later, I found myself on Screw-up Blvd. Fortunately, my many-times humiliating experiences with work, women, and booze have translated into the kind of material that has helped me with stand-up."

Recently moved back to cold Cleveland from sunny Los Angeles, Chad has stories to tell. He has hung around "Who's who" in the entertainment industry - everyone from Adam Sandler to Jessica Simpson. "Jessica Simpson had a thing for me and I will take that to the grave!" Zumock says with enthusiasm. "I talked to her one night for about 15 minutes at a comedy club in LA and saw her the very next day in the grocery store. She was walking down the frozen food aisle and yells, 'Chad' and I respond, 'Jessica'... it was love, I tell you."

Zumock has opened for comedians such as Jay Mohr, Greg Fitzsimmons, Steve Byrne, and Jim Brewer. He's been featured in numerous commercials, and was a regular on Spike TV’s "The Playbook." Coming off a spot at a local comedy show in Lakewood, Zumock spoke to Cool Cleveland about comedy in Cleveland, the recently-released book of essays Look At My Striped Shirt! Confessions of the People You Love to Hate (completed with The Phat Phree) and what’s next for the independent comedy scene.

Cool Cleveland: Coming back from Los Angeles, how would you compare the comedy scene there to here, would you say the “best of the best” are out there?
Chad Zumock: I do think a lot more comedians and some really great comedians are in LA but I think we have great comedians in Cleveland that just haven’t left. The difference from Los Angeles to Cleveland is people who are really trying to make this their career are in Los Angeles or New York. It takes a lot to get up and to move away from everything you’re comfortable and familiar with.

Who would you say are some of the most talented comics in Cleveland?
There are many and the community is really tight. If I were to name one guy in particular, I would have to say Ryan Dalton. I have known him since high school and he's indirectly why I started doing stand-up. It's been fun watching him blossom into the great comic that he is today. He's helped me quite a bit with my stand-up and I often call him for advice. Jim Tews and Bill Squire are two other guys that also come to mind.

You went to Kent State University with Ryan but you also went to college with some other talent Clevelanders--
I’m not sure if that was coincidence but a lot of talented and creative people that came out right around that same time I did. I’ll still go rocking out to [Skinny, formerly 2 Skinny Dorks] when they’re in town.

You were a recognized face and an original cast member in Last Call Cleveland. How did Last Call Cleveland get started?
[Author and Free Times writer] James Renner started Last Call Cleveland in college and it was a hit on Portage County and [KSU] campus television. It was huge in college.

After college, we moved it to Cleveland and started doing stuff on the Second City stage. It turned into a comedy group from there, and now I think it’s a band or something. Last Call kind of ran its course and all our loyal fans got married, had kids, and moved on. I don't do anything with the group anymore, because I wanted to find my own voice.

With finding your voice, you are making quite a name for yourself in the Cleveland stand-up comedy scene. What’s the difference between sketch comedy and stand-up comedy?
Standup comedy is different from other performing arts such as theater or music. In those the audience is a passive observer. With stand-up, you are speaking and connecting to the audience. You are making them involved and breaking down that wall.

Jerry Seinfeld said it best, "In a room of several hundred people, only one person gets the lights and the microphone, so he or she had better justify that arrangement real quick, or there's going to be trouble." Sketch is different because there is a wall between you and the audience. It’s acting! With Stand-up, you are the writer, director, performer and you better bring it. There is no video, no customs, just you a mic and a spot light... unless you’re Carrot Top.

You were a major part of bringing the Phat Phree to Cleveland, how did the Phat Phree get started?
In 1996, I was friends with Charlie DeMarco and we started a comedy group called "The Phat 5." We were punk high school friends that got into trouble by being creative. I think the Phat Phree was inspired by the Beastie Boys Grand Royal magazine, and Charlie came up with it in 'Zine format. It was college hit on a few Ohio campuses, but eventually ended because of cost.

Ten years later, Charlie and I were talking online and he said he was starting [a Phat 5 website] and I suggested him bringing it back as the http://www.thephatphree.com. From there, we got the old crew and some of our talented friends writing again, and the rest is history.

A book out this December, a TV deal with FOX, things are looking pretty good. How much of the success was brought on from Mike Polk's [essay] "Look At My Striped Shirt" ?

A lot, but that just opened people up to the site and all the great writers involved. There was another article called the "NBA all-ugly team" by Jesse Lamovsky that got a lot of attention on TV and radio. Charlie DeMarco has done a good job running the operation. That’s his baby. My involvement with the site is very minimal these days.

Will you ever leave Cleveland again? I have and I probably will again but I will always come back. I love this city. I am a diehard Cleveland sports guy and some of my best talent is from here. Here’s a message to all you Yuppie Clevelanders: "Go out and support live comedy, there’s more to do then just golf, Christmas Ale, and the Browns."

From Cool Cleveland Reader Mike Thomas dcassoll12ATyahoo.com

 (:divend:)