Comedian David Cross tells Billboard.com there is one major difference between his recently released Sub Pop comedy album “Shut Up, You F****** Baby” and other higher profile comedy discs that have come out this past year, most notably those by Jimmy Fallon and Andy Dick.
“No lame song parodies,” says the star of late HBO series “Mr. Show With Bob and David.” “I never would do that anyway so it was never an issue. Nothing against ‘Weird’ Al [Yankovic] but that’s not for me. That stuff that Jimmy Fallon was doing, that’s not for me. And nothing against him or the people who buy that album, I just have no interest in it.”
“Shut Up You F****** Baby,” Sub Pop’s first ever “intentional comedy album,” is old school in terms of being comprised solely of concert recordings, much in the same vein as albums by legendary funnymen George Carlin, Richard Pryor, or Jonathan Winters. The material for the double-disc release was culled from Cross’ spring/summer 2002 rock club tour.
And for the irreverent, sarcastic Cross, who has also appeared in more than a dozen feature films and made a handful of television appearances, the idea of appearing more frequently in non-comedy club environments is an appealing one.
“It’s cooler, but [you have] to define what cool is: first of all, the energy is completely different,” says Cross. “People are standing up, as opposed to sitting down. It’s already different. Second of all, it’s lit differently. Third of all, the stage is different. Fourth of all, you don’t have two potentially hacky sh***y comedians opening up for you, and I get to set my own ticket prices. It gets to be all ages, which some of the [comedy] clubs can’t. I get to do as much time as I want and I don’t have to do two shows a night. It’s completely, vastly different. I’m not surrounded by bad jokes.”
While he hasn’t completely sworn off future television or movie work (something he says he’ll use to supplement his income), Cross says he plans on re-teaming with longtime partner Bob Odenkirk for their Mr. Show “Hooray for America” tour, due to go back on the road this spring.
Cross’ career is in a unique place that translates well to more indie-aware audiences. This is evident by both his use of bands as opening acts, as well as his emceeing duties for the Strokes at their 2001 New Year’s Eve show in New York and his appearances in Superchunk and Yo La Tengo videos.
“I have always liked that music, I have an affinity towards that work ethic and know that lifestyle,” Cross offers. “That kind of trading in quantity for quality type thing. And as I became more successful in what I was doing and the type of comedy I was doing, I started meeting people and there is that whole scene. It’s on a Ben Affleck hanging out with J. Lo [level], but on a smaller scale.”
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