What better way to spend a late-night Valentine’s Day than with a rock band, comedians and adult film stars? Former Saigon Kick and Skid Row drummer Phil Varone (pictured) hosts his comedy variety show Sex, Stand-up & Rock ‘n’ Roll at the Irvine Improv at 11 p.m. on Feb. 14.
The 41-year-old Los Angeles resident started working on his stand-up act after leaving the music business in 2004. Coming up and performing in numerous clubs and deciding that regular stand-up can often just be boring – one person on stage with a mic – he created the Sex, Stand-up & Rock ‘n’ Roll show.
“I have a live house band that plays called Just the Tip and it’s set up more variety show-style,” Varone says. “I have all kinds of different national comics performing and we do contests to give away gift bags so it’s a lot of audience participation.”
The infamous gift bags are where the “sex” part of the show comes in. Varone is sponsored by Hustler Video, Sextoy.com and other adult establishments. They provide him with lots of goodies to give away including T-shirts, panties and various adult toys.
“People see the word ‘sex’ in the title and it might scare them off but it’s not a blue type of show at all,” Varone says. “It’s not a show that’s all about sex and there’s no nudity or anything weird like that. You could possibly win a (sex toy) at the show, but that’s what makes it a different kind of comedy show. That’s why our slogan is ‘Rockstars, Porn Stars, Comedians … Oh My!’.”
In 2007, Varone was the main subject in the documentary “Waking Up Dead.” The film, directed by Fabio Jafet, follows Varone into the underbelly of the music industry. Between a nasty cocaine habit, lack of funds and a whole lot of mistakes, Varone allowed his darkest hours to be caught on tape. Now sober, Varone says he has days where he wonders why he would subject himself to the scrutiny.
“There are days when I sit back and go ‘Oh, God why did I do this,’ but then I get an e-mail from someone that says something like, ‘I saw the film and decided to get sober,’ and that’s what makes it worth it to me,” Varone says. “I went through a lot of crazy stuff and I’m not ashamed of it. I know a lot of really great people who are recovering addicts and we’re not monsters or bad people.”
This show is 21 and older only. Tickets are $25 and available at irvineimprov.com. In case you miss it, Sex, Stand-up & Rock ‘n’ Roll will return to the Irvine Improv on March 14.
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