Beardo And Weirdo

Craig
  • 4.7 (15)
  • Comedy Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Beardo And The Weirdo Podcast! The show starring comedian Craig Gass and the slightly lesser-known musician Chris Kael, from Five Finger Death Punch. This podcast is all about sharing funny, interesting, and poignant behind-the-scenes stories about the music industry and stand-up comedy - stories so crazy you might not even believe they're real! Listen as Chris and Craig candidly talk about their lives, struggles, and triumphs in two of the craziest businesses to ever exist.

  1. 3d ago

    Meeting Paul McCartney At SNL & Our Cringiest High School Photos

    In this episode, the guys kick things off by recapping Chris's massive performance at the Welcome to Rockville festival in front of eighty thousand screaming rock fans. Chris shares what it is really like to step onto a stage of that magnitude and how his bandmates handle the pressure, while Craig shares his own nerve-wracking experiences opening for comedy legends like Russell Peters and Louie Anderson in sold-out arenas. The two then take an embarrassing trip down memory lane, pulling up vintage high school photos that prove Chris once looked like a used car salesman and Craig belonged in an eighties hair metal band. The stories get even wilder as Craig recounts his recent trip to the Saturday Night Live season finale party at the iconic 30 Rock skating rink. He details his incredible celebrity encounters, including secretly filming Paul McCartney, Steven Spielberg, and Lorne Michaels, as well as accidentally photobombing Will Ferrell while chatting with Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Craig also shares highlights from hosting an anti-bullying benefit concert in Seattle, featuring epic backstage moments and jam sessions with Nancy Wilson of Heart, Mike Inez of Alice in Chains, and Chris Ballew from The Presidents of the United States of America. To top it off, Craig reveals the ruthless prank Mike Inez pulled on him involving a loud, inappropriate video on a quiet first-class flight. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing stories from the worlds of rock and comedy.

    37 min

  2. May 21

    Comedian Ian Bagg & The Art Of Crowd Work

    In this episode, Chris and Craig sit down with the absolute master of crowd work, stand-up comedian Ian Bagg. Ian takes us on a wild ride through his unbelievable career, starting from his dangerous early days setting up explosives at a Canadian gold mine to moving to New York City with only $700, living in a youth hostel, and landing a spot on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He opens up about the terrifying reality of unscripted crowd work, sharing unforgettable stories about a disastrous interaction with an audience member whose sister was killed by a retaining wall, and the insane moment he was slapped by a drunk fan at a corporate gig who then immediately crashed her truck into a police car. The conversation also dives deep into epic rock and roll encounters. Ian shares hilarious stories about accidentally roasting Linkin Park's Chester Bennington for an hour straight without knowing who he was, snapping a photo with Vince Neil and Tommy Lee of Motley Crue in a Vancouver strip club, and watching the drummer of Faster Pussycat hit his own guitarist in the head with a drumstick before trying to fight the entire audience. The guys also expose the dark side of the 1990s Canadian comedy club "mafia" and discuss how Ian embraced social media clips during the pandemic to completely revitalize his massive stand-up career.

    1h 11m

  3. May 14

    The Ghost Inside’s Andrew Tkaczyk On Losing His Leg & Returning To The Stage

    In this powerful episode, Chris & Craig sit down with Andrew Tkaczyk, the legendary drummer for The Ghost Inside, to discuss his incredible journey of survival and determination following the band's tragic 2015 bus accident. Andrew opens up about the life-altering impact of the crash, which resulted in the loss of his right leg and ten days spent in a coma. He shares the raw details of his recovery process, including the mental and physical hurdles of relearning how to play the drums with a prosthetic limb. The conversation explores the technical innovations that allowed him to return to his craft, such as the specialized "Hammer" trigger system and a custom-designed drum throne that provides the stability he needs to perform at a professional level. Andrew also discusses the profound emotional experience of the band’s 2019 comeback show at The Shrine in Los Angeles, an event that proved to the world—and to himself—that he could still dominate the stage despite his injuries. Beyond the technical side of drumming, the group discusses the importance of a positive mindset and the support of the heavy metal community. Andrew explains his "no excuses" philosophy and how he handles the daily challenges of life as a musician with a disability. Chris Kael and Craig Gass also share their own perspectives on professional resilience and the drive required to maintain a career in the entertainment industry. To wrap things up, Andrew gives an update on his solo project, One Decade, and shares what is next for The Ghost Inside. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the lives of your favorite rock and metal icons!

    37 min

  4. May 7

    SNL Legends Horatio Sanz & Chris Kattan Talk "More Cowbell", Lorne Michaels & Backstage Secrets

    In this hilarious episode, the guys are joined by Saturday Night Live legends Horatio Sanz and Chris Kattan. Horatio and Chris pull back the curtain on what it is really like to work at Saturday Night Live, starting with the anxiety-inducing audition process and the surreal moment of officially getting hired. They share incredible behind-the-scenes stories about pitching sketches to celebrity hosts while sitting on the floor of Lorne Michaels' office, the strict social hierarchy of the legendary SNL after-parties, and the unspoken rules of the show. Listeners get an inside look at the creation of bizarre characters like Mr. Peepers and how the cast would intentionally try to make each other break character on live television to boost the room's energy. The duo also discusses the famous "More Cowbell" sketch, revealing that Will Ferrell's shirt was slowly riding up his stomach because Chris kept pushing him so hard during the performance. The conversation also covers some of their wildest celebrity encounters backstage at Studio 8H. Chris and Horatio swap stories about Tracy Morgan's emotionally unpredictable behavior, accidentally walking in on Madonna putting on her bra in her dressing room, and hanging out with massive stars like David Bowie, Joey Ramone, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Horatio also shares a hilarious memory of rolling joints outside the SNL 40th Anniversary party while Prince and Paul McCartney performed a surprise concert inside. Finally, Chris Kael chimes in with his own rock and roll experiences, detailing his suspenseful audition for Five Finger Death Punch and admitting to accidentally snubbing Rick Springfield while hungover at a music festival. Be sure to grab your tickets to see Craig, Horatio, and Chris Kattan live, and do not forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more incredible comedy interviews!

    1h 1m

  5. Apr 30

    James & Shelley from Love on the Spectrum Meet David Draiman

    In this heart-warming episode, the guys are joined by fan-favorite couple James B. Jones and Shelley Wolfe from the hit Netflix reality series, Love on the Spectrum. James and Shelley open up about their incredible journey navigating their relationship in the public eye, celebrating over two years of being together. They share their honest feelings about filming a reality television show, adjusting to the constant presence of cameras, and dealing with being recognized by fans in public places. The couple also takes the time to break down common misconceptions about autism, powerfully explaining that individuals on the spectrum are completely capable of living independent, successful lives and emphasizing that autism should be viewed as a different ability rather than a disability. Craig also shares a deep personal connection, relating their societal experiences to his own childhood growing up with a completely deaf family. The conversation then takes an exciting turn into the world of heavy metal and rock music, revealing the couple's shared passion for bands like Suffocation, Morbid Angel, Alice Cooper, and Amon Amarth. The absolute highlight of the episode occurs when David Draiman, the legendary lead singer of the rock band Disturbed, makes a surprise drop-in appearance to say hello to James and Shelley, sharing the story of how they originally became friends at a concert in Boston. Keeping the metal brotherhood alive, Chris Kael even extends a personal invitation for the couple to attend an upcoming Five Finger Death Punch tour date as his VIP guests. To wrap up the show, James and Shelley share details about their public speaking engagements at local schools to raise autism awareness, discuss their online merchandise store, and explain how fans can request personalized video messages from them on Cameo.

    42 min

  6. Apr 23

    Steve-O's Wild Road to Recovery: Jackass, Interventions & Mötley Crüe

    In this episode, Chris and Craig are joined by the legendary Jackass star Steve-O for an incredibly raw, hilarious, and honest conversation about his life, stand-up comedy, and long-term sobriety. Steve-O opens up about his intense journey into recovery, revealing how his Jackass co-star Johnny Knoxville actually staged the intervention that saved his life. He details his harrowing experience being placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold that turned into a two-week stay, and how a fellow patient finally convinced him to read the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The group takes a deep dive into the realities of working the twelve steps, with Steve-O sharing his unique perspective on conquering the daunting fourth step, maintaining his sobriety, and making the difficult decision to actively pursue recovery from sex addiction as well. The conversation also features some unbelievable rock and roll stories, including how a thirteen-year-old Steve-O relentlessly called local hotels to track down Mötley Crüe and ended up scoring backstage passes. Steve-O also shares a behind-the-scenes story about witnessing Gene Simmons brutally deny an autograph to a devastated fan, discusses his current health and wellness obsession involving LED light masks, and talks about his incredible new animal sanctuary, Radical Ranch. Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing stories, recovery insights, and unfiltered interviews!

    1h 11m

  7. Apr 16

    Wild KISS Stories, Rockstar Addiction, & Surviving Skid Row with Phil Varone

    In this episode, the guys are joined by legendary rock drummer Phil Varone of Saigon Kick and Skid Row for an incredibly honest and hilarious conversation about the highs and lows of the rock and roll lifestyle. Phil holds nothing back as he shares some of the wildest stories from his early touring days, starting with a terrifying encounter in Houston where he had to hide on the floorboard of a car to escape an angry NFL running back. He also dives into unbelievable behind-the-scenes moments from touring with KISS. Listeners will hear the hilarious truth behind Paul Stanley's bizarre stage banter, the time Ace Frehley got lost in the crowd in his full leotard, and an epic rivalry where Phil outsmarted Gene Simmons with the help of a little person during a performance of I Love It Loud. The conversation then shifts to the darker side of fame as Phil opens up about his battle with extreme cocaine addiction and the reality of his infamous appearance on VH1's Sex Rehab. Phil and Chris share a deep bond over their respective journeys to sobriety, discussing the harsh truths of drug abuse, the regret of watching their past behaviors on film in Phil's documentary Waking Up Dead, and the life-changing power of humility and accountability. Today, Phil is fifty-eight years old, completely sober, and thriving in a different world as a successful senior video editor for television and film. He also discusses his new ventures, including doing stand-up comedy on the upcoming Monsters of Rock Cruise and the recent Atlantic licensing deal for Saigon Kick. Tune in for an inspiring and side-splitting episode about surviving the chaos of the music industry and finding true peace. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing rockstar interviews and exclusive stories!

    1h 2m

  8. Apr 9

    Gene Simmons Takes Over The Podcast!

    In this wild episode, the Beardo & The Weirdo sit down with rock and roll royalty: the legendary Gene Simmons of KISS. Right out of the gate, Gene takes complete control of the interview, playfully roasting Craig and Chris about their podcasting skills and asking the tough questions. The conversation takes a surprising turn when Gene pivots to offering invaluable financial and wealth-building advice to Chris, who is trying to save up for his very own signature Gene Simmons Axe Bass. Gene also reveals exclusive details about his highly anticipated takeover of Las Vegas this September. He discusses his upcoming shows with the Gene Simmons Band at the Rio, where fans can expect to hear rare deep cuts in an incredibly intimate rock experience. Plus, Gene talks about his special VIP event at the legendary KISS By Monster Mini Golf and the launch of his brand new premium beverage line, Money Bag Sodas. You do not want to miss this unpredictable and hilarious conversation with the Demon himself. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing rockstar interviews, stand-up comedy stories, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content! Check out the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeardoandWeirdo

    1h 5m
See All (72)

4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Beardo And The Weirdo Podcast! The show starring comedian Craig Gass and the slightly lesser-known musician Chris Kael, from Five Finger Death Punch. This podcast is all about sharing funny, interesting, and poignant behind-the-scenes stories about the music industry and stand-up comedy - stories so crazy you might not even believe they're real! Listen as Chris and Craig candidly talk about their lives, struggles, and triumphs in two of the craziest businesses to ever exist.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Craig
  • Show Website
    Beardo And Weirdo

You Might Also Like