Dave Yates is a comedian, writer and actor based out of Los Angeles, who has been a featured performer at festivals across the country.
He also has perhaps the most unique merchandise in comedy — his own brand of hot sauce called Ha Ha Hot Sauce.
Dave will be in Louisville this week featuring for Ryan Niemiller of America’s Got Talent at Planet of the Tapes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 10. Tickets are $25 and are available here.
Dave also will do a special set to close out the Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic on Sunday at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Dave took the time to answer 5 Questions from Louisville Laughs.
Louisville Laughs: A lot of your comedy seems based on things that really happened. Are they usually real things that are funny or things you find funny that you make seem real?
Dave Yates: I try to keep everything 90% true. I usually only use hyperbole for effect. It makes it so they are jokes that only I can tell.
I have jokes that are just funny ideas in there as well. But the best stuff is the autobiographical material.
You helped break the Guinness World Record for longest comedy show at the Wild West Comedy Fest in Nashville. What was that like and how long were you on stage?
The Broken Record show was one of the most fun experiences still. It was a continuing comedy show that ran for eight days straight, I believe.
We would go up in 4-hour intervals and do 15 mins throughout all times of the day and night.
I did sets at 9 a.m., 10 p.m., 3 a.m., 2 p.m. All over. Some the comics I met there are still friends to this day.
What’s your comedy horror story?
There are too many horror stories to count. But one time I did a private gig for a tech company where the HR person wrote me notes to roast individuals in the company.
It was all really personal mean things. After I got done with my set, the entire room prayed together and kicked me out. Still got paid, though.
You also are an actor with a theater company. Does acting experience help with standup?
I think anything you can do to build skills in other aspects of life make for better more robust comedic performances.
Acting, or other skills, just add more to the bag of tricks.
You have one of the most unique merch offerings — your own brand of hot sauce called Ha Ha Hot Sauce. How did that come about and how well does that sell?
The hot sauce was just an idea I had to learn how to make it as a hobby 7 years ago. I bought a ghost pepper plant and didn’t know what to do with it once it grew.
So, I taught myself how to make hot sauce. I came up with my own recipe and friends really dug it.
I was just starting to feature at the time. I had an idea to sell it instead of T-shirts. I sold out immediately and never looked back.
It’s the difference between me making a living and not out on the road. It does well and people re-buy when they run out.
You can find some of Dave’s comedy on YouTube like here.
Follow Dave on Facebook or Instagram.
