On a warm and muggy night in typical Houston summer, fans filed through the Improv doors, often greeted first by one or more of The Whiskey Brothers from the side patio.

This is one of my favorite traits about these guys; they are personable beyond expectations. The rapport with their fans is nothing short of genuine, and you might as well just call them friends. Their “friend” base is extensive and diverse, one that has been built over the course of 10+ years as they catapulted into large success with the help of their highly rated and revered podcast. (check it out HERE!)

Before I continue, I should mention that this article and more importantly, the Whiskey Brothers themselves, are most certainly NSFW (not safe for work). In fact, they are NSF the politically correct, NSF the hyper-sensitive, NSF the painfully serious, and probably not safe for your dear, sweet Aunt Linda. As edgy as their live shows are, you can expect their podcast to take it to the next level. When hunkering down for an hour of audio amusement with the Whiskey Brothers, you should probably wear headphones.

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You may have heard of Houston’s iconic, bygone comedy club, The Laff Stop, a place of many legends and the dawn of many careers. In the 80’s it was home to Bill Hicks and the Texas Outlaw Comics who paved the way for gritty comedians like The Whiskey Brothers. It was at this club in the hours between featured sets and open mic nights, that The Whiskey Brothers was formed. In its infancy, a few members came and went, but the resilient fortitude of their crass and direct message remained. They are going to bring you the comedy raw, and you are going to like it, damn it. Shortly after its current members, Rob Mungle, Sam Demaris, Slade Ham and John Wessling (Woodlands resident) came together, the podcast was created and the rest was drunken history.

After some pre-show mingling, the guys gathered in the green room to fine tune last minute details. The lights dimmed as the last stragglers made their way to their seats. The Whiskey Brothers’ favorite ally, Outlaw Dave, greeted the crowd and welcomed opener Ed Blake to the stage.

Ed immediately launched into the uninhibited and crude territory that The Whiskey Brothers dwell, opening with a bit about the transgender community. He somehow managed to be simultaneously for or against it, making hilarious observations about the ambiguity of it all. He moved on to campaign against stupid people, calling for the removal of ridiculous warning labels on common appliances to thin the herd.

Up next was the fabulous Kiki Maroon– burlesque dancer, comedian, and local personality. I just love a presumably sweet girl with a potty mouth and she didn’t disappoint. A good chunk of her set was dedicated to bird boning, and who can’t appreciate that? She closed with a self-depreciating bit about being easy and the allure of social network in the dating scene.

The crowd was without doubt warmed up now and Outlaw Dave stepped out to present the teaser for the Whiskey Brother’s long anticipated special. The special will air on Netflix and features primarily the outstanding, live show filmed in February in which the guys delivered some of their best performances. (It was indeed an incredible show!)

All 4 of the guys then gathered on stage as the crowd eagerly voiced their support. The excitement could be felt, and deservingly so.

There is something magical that happens when you get all of them together on stage. Beyond the obvious chemistry, there is a seamless flow of organic banter between themselves and the crowd that makes their audience feel like they are hanging out at the bar with them rather than watching a performance. The guys partook in the obligatory toast that kicks off every Whiskey Brothers’ set, which is a blend of solo performances and group interactions and games that involve audience participation. Sam is elected to give the toast (because “black lives matter,” stated Rob) and he began his set in the not-so- favorite slot of first in the lineup. Spoiler, he totally kills it.

Sam’s set can be described as personal story-telling with captivating tales of his youth and drunken or stoned mishaps with interjections about relevant social issues and everyday observations. He started off vehemently explaining why he was against gay marriage. Let’s be clear though, he’s not against being gay, he just thinks that best part of being gay is NOT having to get married. He followed with a quip relating Lil” Wayne to a gremlin and a story about skipping school and getting the warranted opportunity to utilize a dusty Louisville slugger on a real asshole’s car.

[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]“I don’t think anything is off limits if it’s funny.  Personally, I dodge things like religion and some politics.  It’s not that I’m afraid to talk about them or that I don’t have strong opinions on them, but I really do try to respect the fact that some people believe wildly different things than me, and if I can’t find a way to make something really, really funny, I just move on and go back to telling my own stories.” – Slade Ham[/quote]

Next, it was Slade’s turn to charm the crowd. A Beaumont native and a collector of interesting and adventurous hobbies, Slade has no shortage of stories to share, including hilarious feuds with random people. His set included a story about a dispute with Dustin Diamond (Screech from Saved by the Bell) and his wife, (who Slade refered to as “9 ugly people combined into 1 person”) after they warn him not to steal jokes. This is no laughing matter folks, it’s one of the lowest insults to be accused of stealing jokes, and it did not sit lightly with Slade. In the end, it was Slade who claimed victory when he embarrassed Diamond on stage so immensely, he pulled out of the remaining weekend shows.

If you are a fan of the Whiskey Brothers, you are familiar with the very elicit games often played at shows or on the podcast. At Thursday’s show, the solo set line up paused for the game “White, Black or Mexican,” in which you attempt to identify the race of a very specific crime. The audience was encouraged to shout out their best guesses, which resulted in another game, “guess which one of your friends is the most racist!”

John’s set was on point as always, delivering jokes about the TSA, cigarettes, and drinking on cruises. Once after 13 drinks in 1 hour, he remembered dancing with a leprechaun, which was in fact, just a small person. Another favorite joke was about medical marijuana in California and dropping hints at the doctor, 5 surgeries later. John’s comedic style is personable and even slightly endearing, complimented by his signature perma-grin. Even when talking about buttholes and threesomes, his delivery feels more like a friendly hug rather than a punch to the face.

The solo sets concluded with group’s founder, The Right Reverend  Rob Mungle. Rob’s boisterous delivery is most certainly part of his allure as he chops away at hot button social issues such as religion and politics. But his set was not all wrapped up in controversy and his honest approach also tackled lightweight issues like hair loss,(“black hairs matter!”) the history of dildo laws, and party drugs. A personal favorite was a bit about the charm of Southern Aristocratic diction in which he delivered one of several voices in his repertoire.

The show finished strong with the fan favorite game,  “Racehorse or Sex Act?” which really needs no explanation.  Kentucky Tractor Pull. See? Pretty fun. The best part of this game is listening to a group of comedians explain the sex act if they do, in fact, believe it’s a sex act. (If you guessed sex act for Kentucky Tractor Pull, you are correct….you pervert.)

Close friend to Slade and the group, Scarface (yes, THE Scarface from Geto Boys!) joined the guys on stage for a hilarious and very entertaining finale and the guys rolled through the game with gems like Brown Comet and Iowa Warshak Test. Curious about the answers? You can find them sometime in October on a future podcast airing of the show.

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Woodlands Journal Exclusive Interview: By Kim Moayed

After the show, I caught up with the Whiskey Brothers and asked them a few questions about the group’s history, the Netflix special soon to come and their Top Rated comedy podcast. I also took a dive into their personal lives to get the scoop on what makes these guys so damn great.

WJ: The Whiskey Brothers are the antithesis of Political Correctness. That very raw and gritty form of comedy is the allure and twisted charm that resonates with your fans. Are there any topics that are off-limits for any of you?

John: “As a rule, nothing is off-limits, but we really try to find creative new ways to approach even the nastiest or brutal subject matter. ANYTHING can be funny if you’re creative enough and EVERYTHING can be offensive if you aren’t.”

Slade: “I don’t think anything is off limits if it’s funny.  Personally, I dodge things like religion and some politics.  It’s not that I’m afraid to talk about them or that I don’t have strong opinions on them, but I really do try to respect the fact that some people believe wildly different things than me, and if I can’t find a way to make something really, really funny, I just move on and go back to telling my own stories.”

Sam:   “I TRY to leave my family out of it. I fail, but I try.”

Rob: “There is little that is off limits. What is off limits, is that irrespective of the subject matter, it must first and foremost, be funny.”

WJ: You guys do a regular segment on your podcast in which you encourage your listeners to drunk-dial in on the hotline and you really score some comedic gold this way. What was the most memorable call you’ve received?

John: “Anything from Big Kev. He is the undisputed champion of the drunk dial. He calls us out on our BS and eviscerates every single one of us.”

Slade: “A guy called once to tell us he was going to prison and asked us if we would come and visit him.”

(You too can be a part of the podcast! Just give the guys a shout on the hotline…..after plenty of drinks, of course. Because you are hilarious when you’re drunk, trust me! (206) 495-3134 )

WJ: So, (asking for a friend) what’s the secret in handling all of the drinking you typically endure on a given show night or podcast? You guys can really knock them back, and it’s a constant flow of shots/drinks being sent from fans. Any stories of one of you really losing a handle on your shit?

Rob:  “Well the trick is, you can seem fine during the 90 minutes of a show. It is the 4 hours afterwards that are a nightmare. I don’t recommend it.”

John: “I have to eat before we start drinking, preferably something doughy and absorbant. I know the other guys don’t worry about it, but I make sure I’m sober and well-rested for a few days before a show or live podcast. Plus I set up my safe ride home and write my address and emergency contact on my arm with a sharpie before I leave the house. I know Sam has passed out in a ditch before, but I have a tendency to throw up everywhere. It’s kind of my thing. I’m not afraid to barf until I feel better.”

Slade: “Hydration and sticking to one particular drink.  I don’t do sugary drinks – just whiskey and ice – and I drink a case of bottled water through the night.  To the second part, I found Sam in a ditch on night in Louisiana. …”

Sam: “Guilty as charged. We did a show in Leesville, LA and yours truly suddenly went missing. Slade rallied up whatever drunken search party he could, and eventually found me sleeping (quite comfortably I might add) in a muddy ditch. It was hilarious until we realized I had also lost everyone’s pay from the gig. I’m a genius. “

WJ: Back in February you guys recorded a show and have filmed and created a special that you aim to present on Netflix. What can fans expect from the special? Any teasers or surprises you can allude to?

John: “ ALL KILLER, NO FILLER! It’s a condensed, power packed, hilarious show of all of our best material. The crowd that night was electric and we fed right back off them. All four of us got LEGIT standing ovations after our sets. Our director, Chance McClain did an amazing job capturing the moment perfectly and has chopped together a perfect comedy special. Very proud of what we all accomplished together. “

Slade: “We close the show in a pretty spectacular fashion, though anyone who’s been to our live shows in the past probably won’t be surprised.  Aside from that, I think that taping might be the first time I’ve ever seen a show where nobody dropped a single ball.  Rob, Sam, and Johnny had the best sets I’ve ever seen them have, and the special as a whole is just beautiful.”

Rob: “There are a few surprises, none of which I’ll reveal here. But fans can expect the same irreverent comedic stylings they have come accustomed to. New fans can get a sense of what we are about.”

WJ: Fans like to send you guys fun gifts, especially bottles of whiskey. What is the finest bottle you have received?

Rob: “We have received whiskeys from literally all over the world. It is humbling and exciting to know that there are people in south Africa, England and Waco, TX who are all simultaneously enjoying what we do. Some of the samples have been extrodinary. Others…not so much. One of the ones we got from Canada was so awful we almost became the Vodka brothers. An early commandment we made concerning the podcast was that we would never buy any whiskey if we were doing the podcast for free (which we do, any person can download our catalog for free, anytime). Luckily we have kept that promise to ourselves for almost four years now. And its due to the generosity of our fans. For which, we are grateful.”

Slade: “We were given a bottle of Cuervo Reserva de la Familia for Cinco de Mayo a few years back.  It’s about a $150 bottle of tequila.  We also have a small collection of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey that came hand signed by the master distiller.  The guys at that distillery are big fans (and vice versa).”

(Update: On the recent podcast aired on Tuesday night, the guys chat over a killer vintage bottle of JR Ewing whiskey they received from a fan.)

WJ: John, you and your family recently moved to the Cochran’s Crossing village in the Woodlands. How are you enjoying the new spot? Any new favorite restaurants or parks?

John: “Me and the family unit escaped the dying Montrose for the lush greener landscapes of The Woodlands at the beginning of the summer and we couldn’t be happier. It’s a perfect spot for the MRS and the kids. We eat pizza from Crust at least once a week, Los Cucos has been an excellent surprise too. DiMassi’s Mediterranean buffet is awesome as well. We’ve only been up here for 3 months and I personally have only been home for about 10 days, so really looking forward to finding more places to grub. The kids love all the community pools, mostly Shadowbend park. My city kids are turning into happy country mouses more and more everyday and I love it! “

WJ: How do you feel about bringing a regular comedy scene to the north side? (please!!)

John: “Moved up here because of my good friend and fellow comic Tommy Drake, who’s been the comedy king of The Woodlands for almost 20 years! He and his wife Becky, who is an amazing realtor and dancing champion, have really rolled out the red carpet welcoming us to the neighborhood. Of course Tommy and I immediately began conspiring to get a comedy room or two up and running up here “North of the Wall” and I expect we’ll have something cooking around Christmas. The most fun so far has been location scouting, which has consisted of going drinking and calling it “business.” But there is A LOT of people up here on this side of town who would love to see some high quality professional comedy on a regular basis, so I know that once we get it going and set up right with the best talent possible, it will be a great success.”

(Football fan? Find John’s weekly NFL picks at his blog, Gut Feelings.  Find his Week 1 rundown at: https://www.ownedsports.com/blog/gut-feelings-nfl-week-1-picks/)

WJ: Rob, it was over 10 years when you started the WB. A few folks have come and go in the group, is it safe to say you guys are sticking together from here on out? What are your favorite alumni up to now?

Rob: “Yes I started this project over 15 years ago with a comedian named Bill Miller (now since retired). We did as a way of doing the kind of harder edged comedy we enjoyed performing under a moniker that people could remember and recognize more easily than our names. I’m not ashamed to say it was a complete ripoff of the Texas Outlaw Comics concept done 15 years previously (which featured Sam Kinison and Bill Hicks, as well as, local favorite Andy Huggins). It worked then, I figured it would work again. Since then I’ve done live shows with different lineups and special guests, all of whom are ridiculously talented. This incarnation came about roughly 2 years before we began the podcast and has become solidified because of it.”

WJ: You do voices for Akame ga Kill! and Super Milk-Chan, both featured on Adult Swim. What can you tell new viewers about the shows?

Rob: “I do have some more stuff coming out in the next few months, sadly I cannot comment on any of it. Except to say it is pretty cool. ”

(If you aren’t familiar with Super Milk-Chan, it’s an anime comedy created in Tokyo in the early 2000s that has since been Americanized and dubbed in English. Rob teamed up with local comics, Tommy Drake and Mike MacRae and others to create a hilarious voice-over version for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim .  Check out streaming episodes on Hulu.)

WJ: Slade, you’ve been all over the world performing for troops and really enjoying the great outdoors. Your Instagram alone exhibits enough impressive photos to fill a Time magazine. Where are some of your favorite places to visit and what are some dream spots you’d like to go to?

Slade: “Miyajima Island off the southern coast of Japan remains one of my favorite places ever.  It is remote and, at least as of a decade ago, remains pretty untouched by Western influence.  Ethiopia blew my mind.  The people there are some of the most genuinely happy people I’ve ever met, and the country as a whole is totally different from what I had envisioned.  Banff National Park in Alberta is probably my favorite place to hike, and Machu Picchu is just life-changing.  It’s one of those places that you simply cannot overhype.  With that said, just camping along the Guadalupe River brings me the exact same amount of peace. There is still so much I want to explore.  I’m hitting Angkor Wat in October and the Pyramids in November, and chalking at least part of Australia off my list on that trip as well.  My current wish list is the Hang Son Doong cave in Vietnam and Havasupai Falls in Arizona. I just got a bunch of new gear and I can’t wait to break it in.”

WJ: What do your fans need to know about Artbridge and the auction you’re currently participating in?

Slade: “The auction is probably over by now, but ArtBridge is a really cool organization that provides art classes to at-risk youth in the Greater Houston area.  I’m a big fan of what they do, and I partnered up with a few actual comic book artists to do a piece to raise some money for ArtBridge.  Even if the auction is over, I believe you can still get prints from Mostafa Moussa (the inker).  He and Jose Fernadez (colorist) turned my amateur scribbles into something really gorgeous.”

(Slade creates some incredible drawings in between performances, and his Instragram is truly worthy of a follow. Check it out @sladeham)

WJ: Sam, you are performing at the Houston Whatever Fest this year. Can you give any details about your date and time slot yet? The festival scene came on fiercely and shows no signs of slowing down….how do you like performing at festivals versus comedy clubs? Also, you travel overseas, A LOT. Where is your next gig?

Sam: “Funny you should mention that. I can kind of answer both of these questions at  once. I had to cancel Whatever Fest BECAUSE of the next overseas gig.  I committed to a run through Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Egypt and Italy and was originally supposed to be back in time, but the run got pushed back and now I can’t make it. Sucks because I really wanted to perform with GWAR. I absolutely love festivals because the crowds are usually bigger and you get to meet a ton of comics. Comedy clubs are home though. They just can’t be replaced.”

(Sam will be performing this Saturday at The Phoenix Saloon in New Braunfels and you can keep up with his travels and show dates via Instragram and Twitter @samdemaris)

Don’t forget to check out the guys’ newest Podcast at www.praisewhiskey.com!