Comedians Jack Say, Isaac Gibbons and Sam Zito.
Comedians Jack Say, Isaac Gibbons and Sam Zito.
Viral internet sensation Swag on the Beat is heading to the Gold Coast next month as part of their Australian Tour. If you haven’t heard of Swag On The Beat get yourself to a social media platform right now and check out their hilariously Aussie sketch comedy. But prepare to get lost down a rabbit hole of hilarity. We highly recommend the Bunnings skit. We chatted to Jack Say, Isaac Gibbons and Sam Zito about their path to internet fame through their punchy content, what we can expect from their show, and why they’re looking forward to visiting the Gold Coast.
Tell us a bit about yourselves.
We met in the first year of high school and have been very close ever since. We all had differing interest levels academically – but I’ll let the reader work out who’s who on that. Isaac leant heavily into snowboarding and travel through his early 20’s, Sam played football at a very high level (one of those annoying guys that is good at any sport) and Jack is left handed.
How did you get into creating comedy sketches online?
Accidentally really, it was peak covid-19 in 2020 and we were so bored that we went to the nearest supermarket to look at the lack of toilet paper left on the shelves (if you can remember the great toilet paper shortage of 2020). Someone got the phone out and in a 1 take video Swag on the Beat was born. We grew up watching the sketches of Lano & Woodley, Monty Python, Fry & Laurie and Key & Peele so ode to them really.
Any pointers for aspiring comedians?
When you’re getting started put as much material out there as you can, don’t worry about making it super high quality. You’ll learn what things an audience align with and then follow your nose from there. The more content ‘samples’ you put out the more information you’ll have to grow an audience. As always, rule no. 1 is get started – don’t try and be perfect.
If you hadn’t become so successful as comedians what do you think you would be doing now?
(We’ll be showing our parents that a reputable publication has called us successful, so thank you). We all had our own separate paths before Swag, Sam was a school teacher, Isaac had just finished a degree in economics and Jack was running a couple of small businesses, so I suppose doing those things…but I think if we’re honest we know that we would’ve inevitably gravitated towards something like what we’re doing now.
You’re about to head off on tour around Australia. What can we expect?
Our show is essentially an extension and evolution of our sketches that you see online. It’s bigger and (much) better, with some huge surprises – we really feel at home writing for the stage, so if you’ve ever come across a video of ours and enjoyed it (even a little bit) we’re sure you’ll love what we’ve got in store. We also can’t wait to see everyone from Gold Coast who gets down to the show, it’s gonna be massive!
You’ve got a show on the Gold Coast. What are you looking forward to doing while you’re here?
We all surf so we’ll definitely take advantage of the warmer water while in GC, so if any locals have a secret spot hit us up. Also, cruising around and checking out the Surface Festival in Miami. Other than we’ll have to rely on some locals to show us what’s happening, apparently everyone is really nice up there – can’t wait to get amongst it!
How do you choose to spend your weekends?
If we have enough time, we’ll head down the coast and surf, otherwise, a lot of music is played; Isaac plays guitar in a doom band, Jack plays guitar in a gypsy jazz band and Sam will most likely be at an open mic comedy night testing his new material. We’re also constantly sending each other films/interviews/videos of funniness we see floating around – which any group of friends will do, except the difference with us is that we put it under RnD on the company.
So Wednesday rolls around for another week, and your mid-week treat aka oat latte has failed to put the usual pep in your step. You need a little help putting the happy in ‘happy hump day’. We have the tea on the best way to bust the mid-week monotony, and thankfully you can pack the credit card away because there will be no ‘add to cart’ required for this dopamine hit.
Because sometimes in life, the best things are free. Or free entry, as the case may be.
Broadbeach’s iconic destination for all things entertainment, fun times and frivolity is back at it with its usual tricks. And by ‘usual tricks’ we mean putting on a darn good night out. If you guessed The Star, you’d be right because we all know there’s never any shortage of fun things to keep us flocking back like seagulls to a chip. Only this time, we’re proposing a little mid-week morale boost, without the instant regret that comes with polishing off an entire block of chocolate in one night (not speaking from experience).
Your mid-week essential viewing just got an upgrade, skip the Friends re-runs and settle in for some fresh lol’s where you haven’t re-watched the punch line 397 times coz the Atrium Bar’s Wednesday night Comedy Club is the comedic relief you never knew your week needed. And let’s be honest, ‘wE wErE oN a BrEaK’ was only funny the first 396 times anyway.
Bringing all-round hilarity to venues up and down the GC, the Based Comedy crew present us a new line up of local and national comedians at the Atrium Bar every Wednesday night. Plus, side splitting laughs basically count as an ab workout, or at least it should based off the way they feel the next day, so we’re ticking a lot of feel good boxes here.
Pull up a chair, order yourself some schnaaacks and let the ROFLcopters fly, because you anything brought to you by the legends at Byron Bay Brewery is a pretty good indication of great times for ale involved.
And since you’re getting a show and an (almost) workout for the bargain price of zero dollars, refuelling after all those belly laughs with some tasty snacks seems an absolute no-brainer. Wrap your laughing gear around a plate of Fries with aioli or Seasoned wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli. Because true potato enthusiasts know although it’s technically the same vegetable, how chunky you want your chippies to come is totally dependent on your mood.
Chips not tickling your fancy? We’re reserving judgement, but only because $10 pizzas are on the menu. We’re yet to meet a Pepperoni with Napoli sauce, red onion and oregano we don’t like, but a pizza the Roasted pumpkin, mushroom, capsicum, olives is a pretty serious contender no matter your vego status. And if approaching your daily sodium intake has you feeling on the thirsty side, word on the street is there are also some tempting drink specials to rival the absolute steal that is the $10 pizzas.
In excellent news for the organisationally challenged among us, you can’t forget to book since it’s walk-ins only. So just mosy on in and prepare to bid adieu to your butt (on account of the non-stop LMAO’s). Doors open from 6.30pm so you can stake your claim on the plushest looking bean bag, with the laffs set to roll(ing on the floor laughing) from 7.00pm – 9.00pm.
And would you look at that, our mid-weeks just got a whole lot more interesting.
When: Wednesdays, doors open 6.30pm
Where: Atrium Bar, The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Words by Kellie Leader.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter Atrium Bar and the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.
Comedy is a sort of defence against the universe. A way for us to escape our everyday and remember, after all, none of us get out of here alive. Plus, is there any better midweek excuse to get out of the house and enjoy great company than a comedy night in one of our many great venues around the Coast?
The Gold Coast has a simmering comedy scene, and if you’ve never been the type to indulge, we think it’s about time you did so! And for those of you who already like to get amongst it and laugh regularly, this will be a brilliant guide on where you can ROFL next.
Fat Freddy’s
Broadbeach’s hotbed of delicious Americana-style eats and guaranteed good times wants you to swing in on Thursday and laugh yourself happy. And why wouldn’t you when you can score a full rack of bbq pork ribs and fries for only $24? Comedy entry is $20 for members (sign up for free at the door), and with this, you’ll be gifted a drink of either Young Henry’s beer or a house wine of your choice. You’re laughing!
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Precinct Brewing
If brilliantly fresh-made beer in a brewery within the artsy precinct of Miami wasn’t already a drawcard in itself, then an evening of laughs will only sweeten the deal further. Things kick off every Monday from 7pm with tickets costing $10 per person for your seats to happiness.
Where: 17 Christine Avenue, Miami
The Avenue
There is always something happening here, which makes this one of the Gold Coast’s best places to head if you’re feeling sociable. It also happens to be a premier comedy destination, with some of Australia’s most prominent and funniest acts lighting up their backroom every Wednesday evening. The cost is $20 and will get you a drink of your choice to boot.
Where: 3/15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Last Night on Earth
Southport’s fun-filled dive bar has a reputation as a place for high jinks and plenty of moreish drinks — so comedy is right at home here. Every Thursday, the crew from Based Comedy take over the space and make every effort to have you falling off your chair in merriment. Things get going from 7pm, with entry $20 per head.
Where: 50B Nerang Street, Southport
Duke’s Parlour
Right in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the Duke’s Parlour is a late-night hideaway at The Island where you’ll find great cocktails and friendly ambiance aplenty. Mixed bag of LOLs is their weekly comedy night held every Thursday from 7pm and costs $10 per person. A good time guaranteed.
Where: The Island, 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Scottish Prince
The one and only Scottish Prince is the place to escape the summer heat and have some serious fun. It’s also the place to head if you feel like lifting your mood; as every Tuesday from 7.30pm, three to four comedy acts are lined up to turn those Tuesday blues around. Tickets cost $20 per person and include a drink of beer or wine.
Where: 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Ground & Sound
For you folks, up in the northern end of town, Chirn Park’s Ground and Sound is not only a great place to grab some great food and coffee during the day, but it’s also a hive of entertainment come the evenings. The first Friday of every month they hold their free (yes, free – not joking!) comedy evening from 6.30pm — 9.30pm.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park
HOTA
One of the biggest entertainment venues on the Gold Coast and the very heart of our cultural identity has such a smorgasbord of regular comedy it isn’t even funny. Weekly comedy is back in the Basement at 7pm every Saturday night! You can also supersize the comedy underground by adding the 9pm session to your booking. Huge acts regularly find their way to the main auditorium of HOTA too, so if you’re a fan of laughter, you need to get yourself involved.
Where: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
The Arc
This Nobby Beach institution has been drawing those midweek revellers for some time with little effort; after all, frosty drinks with good company is the best way to get over the office ‘Karen’. Every Wednesday, let your worries subside as your flamboyant host Dusty Rich gets the whole crowd roaring with hilarity. The show kicks off from 7.30pm and costs $20 per person — and is worth every cent!
Where: 3/28 Chairlift Avenue, Miami
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
