Jeff Innocent
I first came across Jeff Innocent when I attended a special 40th Anniversary of Alternative Cabaret show three years ago at The Water Rats in Kings Cross. The event was organised by Tony Allen and featured great acts including; Earl Oakin, Martin Soan, and the legendary Alexei Sayle. The comedian who got the most laughs that night was Jeff Innocent and I became an instant fan. You can get a taste of his act by watching this clip of him in action at The Comedy Store that was uploaded last year.
We hope you agree that Jeff deserves to be our comedian of the month. Le Document were delighted he was up for doing a Q & A with us.
Le Document (LD): When was the last time you laughed a lot and what was the reason?
Jeff Innocent (JI): As someone who is around comedians and comedy all the time, I don’t find myself laughing as much as one might expect. One can become somewhat immune to stand up comedy. I can enjoy it and appreciate it’s skill and technique without actually physically laughing. In my head I’m usually thinking, OK I see what you did there, that’s clever. Or, where is this going? Right, I see. The last time I laughed a lot was when I was in Liverpool this year, whilst watching a young, hip, guitar band busking in the town centre. They were taking themselves very seriously, as were the gathering audience. I was thinking it’s probably one of those situations where you might expect a big record label agent to be out shopping and discover you. And there always seems to be a John Lennon type in young Scouse bands. Channelling his spirit through a Beatles hairstyle and round lens tinted spectacles. Suddenly, in the space between the band and the audience, emerged a tramp, who proceeded to dance, in what I can only describe as alcohol fuelled tramp choreography. Then another joined him using a very similar technique. Shaky hollow leg movements and pointing hands, going forwards for a few steps and then backwards. All the time looking as if they might lose their balance and fall over but never doing so. This in itself was a hilarious spectacle but made all the funnier by the obvious displeasure of the band who were now thinking their chance of being signed was being compromised. Something so simple and innocent but very subversive.
LD: Who are your comedy heroes? Is there anyone act that made you want to go into comedy?
JI: My main comedy hero, although not a performer, is Johnny Speight. Amongst other things he wrote the 1960’s comedy series Till Death Us Do Part and invented the brilliantly subversive and politically contentious character Alf Garnett. As someone who was lucky enough to grow up during the sixties and seventies I came into contact with many great stand up comedians because of their iniquitousness on TV and radio. My two favourites of all time, however, are Alexi Sayle and the 1930’s Max Miller. Although, like Hendrix when compiling a list of best guitarists in history, Lenny Bruce hovers above all.
LD: Where are you happiest ... a) on stage b) on the dance floor c) walking in the woods?
JI: I am definitely happiest when on stage. During the first lockdown when I was going a bit stir crazy and having an argument with my wife, she said, “You know what your problem is, you love comedy more than you love me”. At the time I said, “Don’t be ridiculous”. Some weeks afterwards, however, when I was finally back on stage, half way through the gig I recalled what she had said and I thought, she’s right.
LD: Do you always have a drink before going on stage? Do you ever get stage fright?
JI: I never drink before I go on stage. I’ve had plenty to drink after I’ve come off stage over the years but never before. I know some comics like a whiskey or two or maybe a glass of wine before a gig but I wouldn’t want to take anything that might impair my intellect and judgment. Having said that, during the early 2000s when doing at lot of shows at Jongleurs, I did take cocaine and go on stage a few times. Strictly as some sort of social experiment. I doubt the audience noticed because they would have been in the same state. In fact, I remember being paid in cocaine by Malcolm Hardee at Up The Creek. More than once. I don’t suffer from stage fright. Before I became a comedian I lived a life that was fairly risk laden. So not being found funny by an audience in a comedy club has never really been something for me to fear.
LD: Have you ever been religious and have you ever day dreamed about being a vicar, a rabbi or the pope etc?
JI: I have never been religious or had any desire to do so. I am very much a 20th century scientific rationalist. I wasn’t brought up in a religious family and so have not been indoctrinated or had religion to reject or rebel against as I got older. I do understand the role of religion historically in culture however and thus am not dismissive of it. Although I think observing religious festivals with one’s family is very different from believing in creationism. I am critical of people who hedge their bets by declaring, “I don’t believe in God but I believe in something”. What exactly is the ‘something’? There isn’t another thing. It’s just an old bloke with a beard and sandals I’m afraid. Thousands of years of theology and you’ve got another theory have you? Having said all that, I am rather fond of some aspects of Rastafarianism. Particularly the smoking of weed and listening to Reggae. Rastafari's doctrine of Twelve Tribes and Zionism would probably put me nearer to a Rabbi than a vicar or the Pope. Although I have never dreamed of being either.
LD: What would be you 12 desert island discs?
JI: In my head is a giant jukebox containing thousands of my favorite discs. So if you asked me this question next month it might be a different twelve. 1/I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Marvin Gaye. 2/Words, Sangie Davis. 3/Harvest Moon, Neil Young. 4/Voodoo Chile, Jimmi Hendrix. 5/American Tune, Paul Simon. 6/Curly Locks, Junior Byles. 7/Love Is The Answer, Todd Rundgren. 8/The Tracks Of My Tears, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. 9/Crazy, Patsy Cline. 10/It’s A Family Affair, Sly and the Family Stone.11/ War Ina Babylon, Max Romeo. 12/Burial, Leviticus.
LD: Were school days the happiest days of your life?
JI: No, schooldays weren’t the happiest days of my life, that would be very sad if it were the case wouldn’t it? What with, hopefully, another six decades to live. But they were happy days. After infants I went to a very small Grammar school, the smallest school in the borough of Newham, east London. Only two classes in each year and two thirds of the pupils were girls. It was also during the 1960’s so we were the first generation to be the recipients of a new wave of idealistic young teachers who were keen to liberate the minds of deprived working class children. Although balance was maintained by a few of the old guard educationalists who had survived The Boar War. It was a period of cultural transition. The Headmaster wore a mortarboard and gown at assembly but there were Hippies in the sixth form.
LD: Can being a stand up comedian be something you are taught or is it something you have to learn the hard way?
JI: The rudiments of stand-up comedy can be taught, I teach it myself. Of course, more can be learned ‘the hard way’ by actually doing it. But I’m a believer in ‘funny bones’. So for some people, no matter how much teaching or experience, if they don’t have ‘funny bones’, they are not comedians, they are actors playing the role of comedians.”
LD: Who were you a bigger fan of Lee 'Scratch' Perry or Charlie Watts?
JI: Although I have, over the years, enjoyed some of the music of The Rolling Stones, I’m afraid Charlie comes second to Lee Perry, but then so does everyone else. Lee Perry just happens to be my favorite single person in the history of popular music. The first records I ever bought in 1969 were his productions and I have collected his music right up until 1978, after which his musical significance became diminished, as he morphed into an eccentric touring novelty act, for the entertainment of audiences who had no knowledge or appreciation of his previous contribution to the history of music. He introduced this 14 year old to a whole new sonic world and musical culture that I have never left to this day. In fact he probably saved me from The Rolling Stones. RIP Lee Perry, The Upsetter.” What projects are you currently working on and what are your ambitions? “Forgive me if this sounds pretentious but although I’ve always got other things on the go, a bit of acting, a podcast, teaching comedy workshops, my actual stand up act is always my main project. I’m never totally satisfied with what I’m doing, what I’m talking about or how I’m doing it. I’m continually looking to improve and take it to a new level. I always consider my act as work in progress. Although ultimately it brings me great happiness and I feel privileged to have earned a living from it for many years.
LD: What's the punch line of your favourite joke?
JI: Where am I going to find an African woman who knows how to play the spoons?
Check out Jeff’s website here.
Le Document was founded in November 2019 by the artists Harry Pye and Chris Tosic. Le Document is the magazine for fantastic people. Please add your email and subscribe for free via the sign up button below.
