Face Time with Chip Chantry

Tonight - Tuesday, March 15 - is the inaugural Face Time with Chip Chantry show at Helium Comedy Club. The show - which looks very promising, by the way - starts at 8 and tickets are only $5. We were able to catch up with Chip prior to tonight's show to chat about being from Montgomery County, how he got his start in stand-up, and what Face Time is all about.

Helium Comedy Club: If I read correctly, you're from the same area I'm from - Montgomery County. A lot of comedians say that it was being bored in the suburbs that forced them to become funny. What about growing up in suburban Philadelphia do you think helped to shape you as comedian?

Chip Chantry: MontCo! I was right in the center of the county- furthest away from anything. When I was a kid, we lived on top of a hill, and I night, I could see the Philly skyline way off in the distance. I knew things had to be cooler in town then out in the burbs, that's for sure. But I, like most people in the Philadelphia area, grew up with a little chip on my shoulder, surrounded a lot of quick-witted, sarcastic people. Humor was my primary mode of communication and social survival.

HCC: Your particular "how I got into stand-up" story is pretty interesting - your brother booked you to open for his band without telling you. Are you eternally grateful for that?

CC: Absolutely. I always wanted to be a comedian, but didn't know how. He and the guys in his band opened that door for me. And they are still supportive, which means everything. If it was not for those four guys, I wouldn't be doing this.

HCC: I've also read that you're a fairly musical guy - which is not uncommon amongst comics. How do you think music and comedy relate to one another?

CC: Well, I'm a stellar music fan, but at best, a mediocre musician. But it's true, 99% of comics I know, myself included, are obsessed with music. Most comics want to be rock stars. And from what I've seen ,a lot of rock stars think they are comedians. There are some live musicians I have seen, who are hilarious (Jeff Tweedy and Mike Doughty make me laugh a lot). Then there are others who try to to be funny, and you just want them to stop talking between songs, because it's uncomfortable for everyone involved.

A musician's saving grace is that he always has a song to fall back on if his joke flops. Comics don't. Paul McCartney can say ANYTHING he wants, because he's always got "Hey Jude" in his back pocket. He could tell a horrible joke, a boring anecdote, or publicly admit to murder, then wipe it all away with his closing number, and people will love him. I wish I had a "Hey Jude".

HCC: Can you talk about Chip Chantry's One-Man Spectacular and Die Actor Die?

CC: Don Montrey's DIE ACTOR DIE was a comedy variety show at the Khyber a few years ago that brought together sketch artists, standup comedians, and some other really talented people. It was an amazing show. Then, he let me take the helm, and I renamed it CHIP CHANTRY'S ONE-MAN SHOW (w/ special guests!). Same comedy variety format. I run that show at The Shubin with my comrade Johnny Goodtimes.

HCC: What is Face Time with Chip Chantry and how does it differ from the two above?

CC: Face Time is a bit different than a regular comedy variety show. It's based on a late-night talk show format. I have a "house band", a sidekick, etc. Comedians and sketch groups will perform, and then I'll sit them down to interview them. There will also be some sketches, videos, and some other surprises.

HCC: Anything else people should know about Tuesday night's inaugural Face Time show?

CC: I will, by far, be the low-point of the show. No contest. I am really excited to have Philly native Mike Vecchione come down from New York for the show. Mike is hilarious, and has had an amazing year, including his own Comedy Central Presents, and a spot on the Tonight Show. Plus, the incredible Meg & Rob, one of my favorite sketch groups, will be making one of their last appearances before Meg moves to LA. Aaron Hertzog is hilarious and skinny, which is a great combination. Plus, my co-host, Amir Gollan, is one of the funniest people I know.

If that's not reason enough to come, just know that since it's the first show, 37 are bound to go wrong, and you may see a grown man (me) cry. That's worth the $5 right there.

HCC: You've been pretty open about liking Helium. What do you think separates Helium from other comedy venues you've played?

CC: Helium's given me the opportunity to watch and work with the best comics in the world. There's no other club like it in Philadelphia. Or Montgomery County.