by Hank Brockett
11/8/01
And after nine years of dipping its toes in the musical ocean, on Friday Gag Reflex hopes to dive to depths even “Muskrat Love” couldn’t reach.
The six-member comedy troupe out of Oswego, Ill. usually sticks to scripted sketch comedy routines with zany original songs as just part of the madness. But Friday’s show at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, promises about two hours of music-only humor, said Gag Reflex guitarist and director Eric Schwartz.
“Our music’s always been a big hook,” said Schwartz.
The idea stems from very successful New Year’s Eve concerts throughout the years for troupe, who all hold down day jobs in between gigs. During those concerts, the sketches would end about 45 minutes before midnight. In anticipation for the calendar-turning at midnight, the members would string together humorous songs about life and love ... set to the tune of an original sound.
“We have a lot of acoustic guitar and trombone songs,” said Schwartz, who insists the songwriting process for the group is akin to any other songwriting band.
Well, except for odes to one-legged women, the hokey-pokey and food, that is.
“We don’t want to bring the show down with depressing songs about car crashes or something,” said Schwartz. “...I want to make sure the songs sound like regular songs, but with the words messed up.”
Much has changed for the group since the crazy days of 1993. The troupe has criss-crossed the northern Illinois area, set up a presence on mp3.com, released an album of material and even produced an Internet radio show called Gag Reflex Comedy Theater of the Air on live365.com. Schwartz himself has married fellow Gag-er Millie Schwartz and sired a son named Danny.
“I don’t like doing topical things, so I focus on relationships ... mostly bad relationships,” said Schwartz. “Maybe in the future I’ll write about marriage, but my wife’s in the group, so I can’t do too much of that.”
Now, with the ability to perform aided by The House’s eclectic approach to live entertainment, Gag Reflex finds itself performing more often. The troupe recently completed their “The Viagra Chronicles (or: Set Your Phizers On Stun)” tour with a stop at The House on Oct. 6. But the troupe finds itself strangely in the same company as U2, the Backstreet Boys and “Weird” Al Yankovic – all have the task of staying relevant after compiling a greatest hits package.
And speaking of Weird Al, comparisons inevitably are questioned, at least among the most popular parodist’s loyal fans. Schwartz said although he wouldn’t consider the man with polka prowess his idol, he thinks Yankovich does some fantastic things.
“You can’t get much bigger than Weird Al,” he said. “I would never say in a million years that we’re cooler than Weird Al.”
One other difference, besides a lack of accordion – this show is not a family show, although it’s not strictly an adult show. There will be some sensitive material, Schwartz said, but most of that will occur near the end of the set.
And after the set? Or in other words, what would quotable “Today” show movie critic Gene Shalit say after feeling the full power of the Gag Reflex? Schwartz could only guess.
“You will never hear filthier subjects harmonized better.”