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Performing Arts
Posted on November 29, 2007 12:00 AM

'Naughty' songwriter to play comedy show

While John Mellencamp will sing classics like "Hurts So Good" and "Jack and Diane" this weekend, Eric Schwartz will sing not-so-classics like "Clinton Got A Blowjob" and "Keep Your Jesus Off My Penis."

The satiric, comedic and edgy Schwartz will perform with Two Man Gentlemen Band as a part of the Acoustic Brew concert series. The show, which will be held at 7:30 Saturday night at the Center for Well Being, 123 Mt. Nittany Road, is R-rated, said Paul Rito, a spokesman for Acoustic Brew.

Two Man Gentleman Band, playing kazoos, the upright bass and a four-string banjo, performs a mix of old pan alley, early jazz and old-time country, Andy Bean, the band's banjo player, said, adding that free kazoos will be provided at the concert.

"It's a throwback vaudeville act," Bean said. "It's rich in silliness and double entendres."

He added that the band started as street performers in New York City. Bean said they began handing out kazoos on the street to draw attention and have continued the practice since they began touring.

The band, which Bean said is "impeccably dressed all the time," plays a lot of sing-a-longs as part of its performances, Bean said.

"We're looking forward to the audience because we've heard good things about them," he said. "We really like the people who come out on a Saturday night to see a band who they may not have heard of."

And Bean said he looks forward to opening for Schwartz.

"He's known to be naughty," he said. "We're a little more subtle in our naughtiness than he is."

A New York City native, Schwartz said his performance incorporates humorous, political material.

"It's Comedy Central meets Pete Segal," Rito said. "He's making a very good point, but it's also very funny and direct."

He added that if people are easily offended, this show may not be ideal.

Schwartz agreed.

"I have a potty mouth," he said.

He added that he is a serious musician, though he genuinely enjoys performing and having conversations with his audiences.

"I like to get up and say what other people are thinking," Schwartz said. "The kind of humor I respect is the kind that has truth behind it."

Playing guitar and piano, Schwartz said his music styles range from folk, jazz, country, bluegrass, funk, soul and gospel.

He added that his performance is more comedy than music.

"If people like having a good time at a comedy show, they will like this," he said.

Schwartz said he feels the best comedians are successful because of how they make people laugh.

"What drives me is the entertainment, the fun, the show, the getting people involved," Schwartz said. "They won't be sitting there on their hands listening to a guy sing koombyah."

Rito said he expects the 100-seat venue to fill quickly, so people interested should get tickets early.

"He's a really great entertainer," Rito said.

Schwartz said he is excited because he enjoys performing in new places.

"It's always a pleasure to see people witness me for the first time," he said.

1-02-2009