The HackPack Podcast: Recent Episodes
Anthony Locascio
Anthony Locascio interviews fellow stand-up comedians to give background/overview of the comedy scene/what goes into commencing a stand-up comedy journey. The HackPack are a collective of Sydney comedians who are in love with each other as much as they are with standup comedy
This week we have the blokiest of all the blokes, Mr Andrew Barnett!
Barney and I chatted about being blokey sport guys, but not really. We also chatted about shitty corporate gigs, getting terrible pep talks before shows from well meaning mates, and the deep philosophy of comedy. Enjoy!
Next up we have the wonderful Chris Ryan!
Chris and I chatted about moving to Sydney, getting egotistical after your first gig goes well, turning conversations with your mum into a webseries, festivals, and much much more!
This week's guest is amazing; the legendary Al Del Bene joins me to discuss the Boston accent, coming up in the New York and LA scenes of comedy, and being cut from a movie.
Not to be missed x
At long last, HACKPACK'S BACK!
I chatted to the returning Bec Charlwood about her new gig on Triple J, her upcoming Perth show, and Bec tells possibly the most brutal story of bombing I've ever heard.
Episodes are back weekly, so like, subscribe and tell your buddies x
This episode is just me, chatting about the Raw State Final (NSW) that I went to see, a discussion of the premise of my new hour, 'Don't Call Me A Wog!' plus a full recap of how it went in its maiden run at the Adelaide Fringe, and finally, my personal investment in the Chris Rock debacle.
My second mic is now cooked it seems; this episode sounds like I've phoned in/am underwater. If you can get over this, enjoy listening to my nuggets of anger and honesty.
This is a great episode of HPP if I do say so myself.
Today I had the pleasure of interviewing my friend PZMST, the first rapper to venture onto the podcast. We chatted about the parallels between the Rap and Comedy games, from both a ground roots, coming up perspective (talking about how he started rapping and getting into the game) and at the very highest level possible (comparing Drake and Kevin Hart to J. Cole and Dave Chappelle).
We also chatted about a little project we've been working on together and have a little sneak peek for you guys...
This man is the real deal folks; follow @PZMST on Instagram but also Spotify/Itunes/however you get your music; a new EP will be dropping very soon, I've heard the intro track and trust me, you're going to want to get amongst it. Be cool.
Today I got to chat to the legendary Peter Meisel! A stalwart of the Sydney Comedy Scene, we chatted about his moving to Australia, his time as a teacher, being paid to NOT work, general gigging goss, and some of the big names Peter started with.
I've been wanting to do this for a long time, enjoy the episode!
I had the pleasure of chatting to one of the Sydney Comedy Scene's loveliest and most charismatic members, the one and only Artie Gallagher!
We chatted about the rooms Artie is planning to run, their start in Wollongong DURING the Pandemic no less, and their recent split bill at the Laughs Outta Lockdown Festival.
We also spoke a lot about devon and milk.
Follow Artie at @good_times_with_gman and look out for their new shows!
Today on HPP we have talented comedian/poet/musician/philosopher/life guru/retired goalkeeper Marty Bright!
Marty and I chatted about his football retirement, gigging in New York and Canada, what poetry open mics are like, and how we used to get confused for brothers.
Follow @martyisbright and go check out his upcoming Newcastle show!
WE'RE BACK SON! Welcome to the HPP of 2022, thank you for bearing with my hiatus but the wait will have been well worth it as today's episode features the return of pod fave HARRY JUN
Mr Jun and I used this as an opportunity to promote his new Podcast 'Passed Notes' which plays live on FBI Radio on Thursdays and is available on Spotify! Harry taps into his experience as a high school teacher to delve into some of the best school stories from his guests. On HPP today I told a CRAZY story from my time at school, but I told heaps more on Harry's pod, so go check it out.
Additionally, we chatted about Harry's last hour, 'One Of The Good Ones' and his upcoming plans, as well as typical stories about awkward stage moments and equating any audience hostility as racism. Follow @harry.jun.harry and @thepassednotes!
Today's guest in the one and only Elouise Eftos!
Australia's first ever attractive comedian is also an actor/dancer/singer/voice over artist/retrosweat instructor/air hostess for @mysteryflightau
We chatted about all of Elouise's above escapades and how we're a pair of good Greek kids. We also got into what Mystery Flight is/isn't.
For tickets to see mystery flight...you'll have to wait because the upcoming shows are SOLD OUT!
Follow @weezasqueeza to find out where you can catch her; MISS YOU!
On this episode I was fortunate enough to interview Ian McCarthy!
Ian is a comic relatively fresh on the Sydney scene; moving here this year following a long stint in Melbourne, having started in his native Canberra.
We chatted about the differing dynamics of these scenes, his early forays into the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and the time he didn't recognise me because I shaved my beard.
Follow @themccarthyian to keep up with the person responsible for my newest marketing tactic for my next show (listen to find out).
Season 4 (!!!!) is here! And in record time - who'd have thunk it!
And who better to kick things off with than Pod favourite, Tommy Bits himself.
Tom and I shot the shite about MCing at weddings, what returning to the comedy scene after lockdown has been like, and of course, his upcoming Laughs Outta Lockdown Festival solo hour, '21st Century Man'.
Make sure you follow @tomwitcombecomedy for some really great content (Tom does a daily mock news segment) and of course to get tickets to his show; you have my personal guarantee that it will be terrific.
The season 3 finale is upon us and what an episode it is!
This interview has been a long time coming; none other than Seizure Kaiser! This man has been a Sydney Comedy Scene mainstay for the better part of 15 years. We chatted about his origins in comedy, his producing and promoting history, and his last comedy festival solo shows.
We also covered the help Seizure gave me when first starting out, and how he has been the most willing and giving to new comics when it comes to opportunities.
Finally, we had a BIG discussion about the current legal dispute he is in over the copyright of Comedy On Edge, his brand, and the unique individual who is trying to take it away from him.
Follow @iamseizure and @comedyonedge to keep up with Seizure, and enjoy the episode!
On this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing my fried, Jake Howie!
Jake is a New Zealand born, formerly London based comic now calling Sydney his home. We chatted about making that transition, doing an Edenborough Fringe debut unprepared, and having awkward energy with other comics at gigs.
We also delved into Jake's upcoming 'Laughs Outta Lockdown' show, the aptly titled 'Cult Fiction', which is at the Factory Theatre on 18-20 of November.
Jake (like me) will be touring his show next year, but check out his new hour coming up at this festival! Follow @jakehowie_ and get your tickets!
This was one of my favourite episodes to record yet! Our guest is Oliver Twist; we spoke about Oliver's (frankly, unmatched) comedy origin story, the success of his recent show Jali, and having a nucleus of comedians you respect and whose sets you make sure to catch.
We also chatted about both of our upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival debuts and how we're going in armed and ready for reviewers!
Follow Oli at @oliveretwist and make sure to catch his shows, they are well worth your time.
We are BACK baby! The HackPack Podcast has returned with a vengeance and what an episode we're serving up for you all to mark the grand return!
Today's guest is Lauren Bonner. I had a great chat with Lauren about foot in mouth moments, shitty reviewers, and engaging idiots in the comments section.
We also spoke about Lauren's upcoming show at the Laughs Outta Lockdown Festival (December) 'What Do You Reckon'.
Follow Lauren at @laurenybonner and listen to her and former guest Concetta's podcast, Big Natural Talents!
Sydney is in lockdown so I can't have my friends over - THEREFORE, today's guest is me!
I basically just chatted to myself about my year so far, my new podcast (check out the Kevin Lasagna Appreciation Podcast) and my new stand-up special ('Confirmation' on my YouTube channel now!) and chatted shit about TikTok.
Today's guest is Will Gibb!
We chatted about sketch comedy, the pitfalls of tiktok fame, rowdy audiences and why people in comedy shouldn't complain! Enjoy!
Today's episode is with the wonderful Ben Kochan!
Ben and I chatted about starting comedy young, incorporating props into your hour show, his recent Melbourne Comedy Festival debut, and plenty more!
Today's guest is Concetta Caristo!
We spoke about podcasts, solo shows, boyfriends and general Italian things!
NOTE; Concetta's show Siena has been cancelled this week, due to the lockdown, but hopefully we'll get to see this show soon!
Today's episode features the inimitable Sam Bowden!
Sam is a Sydney based comedian, originally from Brisbane; we chatted about German, podcasts, festival shows, the MICF itself, plus much much more. This was an absolute blast, please enjoy!
Season 3 is here and we're off to a flier with Bec Charlwood!
Bec is a Sydney based comedian and host of the Ladies Guide to Dude Cinema Podcast. We chatted about the pod, moving from Perth to Sydney, holding a vast variety of jobs, recent comedy festival shows and much more!
The final episode of Season 2 features the one and only Neel Kolhatkar!
Neel and I spoke about starting comedy as a teenager, having videos go viral, balancing marketing with writing and performing comedy, talking to comedy veterans and much much more!
Sam Menzies is back folks!
We spoke about a recent horror bomb Sam experienced, which made him consider quitting comedy altogether, how he turned it around, and his plans for his first ever hour show!
Today's episode is with Robyn Reynolds!
A UK born, Sydney based comedian, I have known Robyn for a few years. We spoke about producing festival shows, getting started in the Sydney scene, dating a fellow comedian, plus much more!
This is a special episode.
In the wake of a recent tragedy, one of my best friends has commenced an initiative whereby he checks in with a different friend at least once a day for the month of May, to show them they're valued and in the interest of promoting better mental health all round.
Phil has been one of my closest mates for a decade, so this episode chronicles our May.Ok chat, wherein we covered the dynamics of our friendship group, our ethnicities, my personal mental health battles, and also my comedy origin story and dealing with the pressures that come with a career like this one.
I am as much the guest of this episode as Phil is; it's a slight, but hopefully welcome, change of pace from previous episodes, and I hope that it truly resonates.
Tommy Bits is back on this week's episode to discuss our Sydney Comedy Festivals shows, which are both this week!
Check out our bios for ticket information and come watch our shows!
This week Joch Diaz returns!
We had an in depth discussion about the toll stand-up can take on your self-worth; it was a wonderful chat.
Episode 4 of Season 2 is here and it's with Daniel Muggleton!
Daniel Muggleton has been called ‘a deceptively sharp social commentator in a tracksuit’ by The Scotsman, and ‘a foul-mouthed prophet’ by The Advertiser, on the way to 5 star reviews at comedy festivals around the world.
He has a show at the Sydney Comedy Festival this Sunday, called 'Oh, More Mr White Guy', that I couldn't recommend more, especially seeing as Facebook has BANNED him from advertising for it.
Jenny Tian is a Sydney based stand-up comedian,
She'll be making her Sydney Comedy Festival debut this week! Go to sydneycomedyfestival.com for tickets to her (and my) show!
We spoke about quitting corporate jobs, teenagers in Wollongong, and about her debut show, among so much more, enjoy!
Kyle Legacy is a Liverpool born, Sydney based comedian.
We spoke about the art of MCing, liking sport as a comedian, and I told the story of me getting punched in the face on stage. Enjoy!
Welcome to Season 2! For this load of episodes, returning guests will talk about bombing and times where doing comedy wasnt so great.
First up is Harry Jun! We discussed some of our best bombs, and general insecurity around comedy.
The Season 1 finale is here, and its a doozy!
Anthony Skinner is the guest; one of Sydney's most prolific comedy bookers, we have been friends for a while, and discussed how he's developed his network of shows, the shows themselves, and Anthony's penchant for courting controversy.
See @chillzy @magicmiccomedy and @idcomedy for information about all the shows Anthony puts on.
Sam Menzies is a Sydney based comedian, former removalist and part time weapons specialist.
Sam and I began our stand-up journeys together after meeting in a comedy for beginners course, and have been inseparable since. We discussed shows we've done together, comedy 'in your house' and how controversial material sometimes doesn't go down well.
Today's guest is Elliott Rovedi!
Elliott is among the Sydney comedy scene's most unique voices and a stud on stage.
One of my favourite people in comedy and life, Elliott and I chatted about our time together doing comedy, including my favourite story from my time doing comedy so far!
Episode 7 features Steph Broadbridge!
Steph is one of Sydney's most prolific and proficient comedians.
We had a wonderful chat about Sydney comedy as a whole, being a 'gig pig', and not understanding why anyone would find us funny, ever. Enjoy!
Today's guest is Aleks Milinkovic!
Aleks is originally a Brisbane comic who has been on the Sydney Scene for a few years now, and is the resident host of Coogee Bay Comedy Night, every Monday.
We chatted Brisbane Comedy, Acting School, school plays and much more!
Go to Aleks' or Tom Witcombe's social media to get tickets to their split bill "Forgivable", March 9th at the Potts Point Hotel
Today's episode features my good friend Joch Diaz!
Hailing from Mexico and residing in Barcelona for much of his adult life, Joch is an accomplished and award winning stand-up comedian in both Spanish and English.
Now calling Sydney his home, we discussed the comedy scene here, bilingual comedy, and much more.
Today's guest is Lizzy Hoo!
Lizzy has been featured on Channel 10, the ABC, FBI Radio and regularly writes for SBS Voices.
She made the NSW Raw Comedy State Finals in 2017 and a year later was invited to perform at Just For Laughs Sydney at the Opera House, which was later aired on Foxtel’s Comedy Central and Channel 10.
We chatted about Comedy Courses, putting together festival shows and what it's like to have a particular family member as a key character in your comedy. Enjoy!
Episode 2 features Harry Jun!
Harry Jun is a keen performer who has made his way to nearly every comedy gig in Sydney. Sometimes he is even asked to perform at them. A 2019 RAW Comedy NSW State Finalist, his comedy has been described as “energetic”, “likeable” and “cheeky”. He hopes that one day it is described as “funny” or “something that his parents are proud about. ”
This chat was awesome, we spoke about infusing ethnicity into comedy among some other cool topics. Enjoy!
Just a short, introductory episode explaining what this podcast is all about; me interviewing some buddies about stand-up
Episode 1 of the HackPack Podcast features my good friend, Tom Witcombe.
A stand up comedian with razor sharp writing and delivery to match, Tom's heavily concentrated material doesn't waste a second, with jokes at every turn to keep the audience guessing.