The Eagle Boys
The Legend From The Hat: Drew Nickens!
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] Welcome back everybody to the Eagle Boys. Once again, my name is Nick. >> My name is Drew. >> And today we had on Drew Nickens from Kill Tony, a regular Kill Tony. >> What a killer. >> What a killer, man. I'll tell you what, what a killer did. >> And he was so nice to talk to, very respectful. And we got to know him. >> Got to know a little bit more about him. And it was just really fun to talk to him just cuz I've watched him on Kill Tony. He's a real funny guy, has real good stand up. And we're just excited to bring you guys this episode, y'all. So I hope y'all enjoy, thank you all so much for watching. >> Thank you. >> Drew, thank you so much for coming on. So when I first saw you come on Kill Tony, I thought you were amazing. I was like, this guy is great, cuz I've been watching the show for a while now. >> I remember your first appearance like it was yesterday, man. I left my ass off when you came on, man. >> So when you went back the first time, what did they say to you? Where they're like, he wants you to come back on. So here's what happened, so they were like, hey, wait here, we want you to hang out with us and Mitchie's and I was like, all right, cool. So I was back there watching and as the guy was going, I'm just like, man, he's getting a rough day of it. And then one of the producers was like, hey, this has never happened. Tony wants to know if you have another minute, like, yeah. And so I kind of was like, okay, let's think of what can I do that's like a minute right now, and I thought of one and I was like, all right, let's get ready to roll. And then it was just like, it was like you almost black out on stage cuz you just do your material, there was no like thinking about it so much. You just had that it was just like go, go, go. And so it was just like so surreal to like go up on stage and do a minute. And like, I've been waiting for like 10 and a half months. I was like, this is a fever dream. I didn't think it was real on my way home either. So yeah, yeah, that's probably a great drive home. You're like, I just killed it. I got the opportunity of a lifetime. So did that change your whole life? Like, are you going out to like different states? Are you like selling out? Like, like, how did your life change after you went on kill Tony? Well, now I'm doing comedy full time and I live in Austin and I get to get into the greatest club in the world at the comedy mothership every Monday. And I got to see everyone and, you know, I'm getting bookings little by little. I get all the same time that I need right now. And I've been really grinding and it has like really changed my life. Because now it's like I'm a comedian, I could say that I'm a full time comedian. And that's so cool. And it's just so like, people don't understand how much of life can change just just from kill Tony because it's just like, it's so surreal. And there's a lot of really hard work and there's a lot of ups and downs. But it's one of the greatest things that ever happened in my life. And I'm just so thankful for it, you know. So how is so like, are you friends with Tony? Do you guys hang out when you go there? Like, like, how does it like, has he mentored you? Has he told you to do anything like off of stage? We talked a little bit about what I can improve on and what he wants me to work on. We talked a little bit, you know, but it's mostly about what I'm doing on and stand up what I can improve on stage and things of that nature. How, how to navigate certain things if I have questions will usually answer them. So it's usually, it's usually more like, like he's my guru to a certain extent. Like if I ask him something, it's because I'm confused about how to navigate. It's a totally different business when you're doing this for a living. And when you're just doing this as a hobby, there's a lot of nooks and crannies that you have to cross and then you have to like to get better. You have to do like these little tiny stuff. So what's, what's your, what's your writing style like? Do you just sit down in a room and kind of hammer it out? Or do you just do it on stage? So I hammer out a bunch of premises. And I'll figure out some premises and then I'll throw a bunch of stuff against the wall basically and kind of see what's sick. And then when I'm on stage, a lot of these, these places that I go to, I just do this thing from this and I'll do different ways of it. And then I'll listen to it on the audio to see where, where the punches is. If there's a really good punch there. Oh, I got a really good reaction there. Okay, I got that in this room, but it didn't get in back. So it's very hands on. It's a very hands on approach and very much like it's a constant process to grow. Like my clothes are as evolved from what it was at first. Now there's like three or four different pieces on there to make it off even more. So, so there's a lot of really interesting things that you can do and, and figure out. So, wow, that's amazing. So as far as like you being a comedian, like you getting into comedy, who like inspired you really? Are there any comedians that you looked up to in the industry that got you into it or is just something you kind of fell into? So, so my idol is actually David Spade. David Spade is like my favorite comedian of all time. He's great. And then, you know, on this side, she's one of them said that like there's a bunch of different ones. A season is already ruffing me. The tree showed Neil. Yeah. You know, all the, all the goats, you know, even Steinfeld. Another guy that people don't talk a lot about, but I think is a genius. And he's like a totally different style than me is a Joe Para. He's very soft, spoken and slow. And he's like so different than me, but I love watching him just like more. His last special is really, really cool. So it's just like now that I'm in the comedy and I listen to it a lot more, the more I'm like, whoa, okay, that's really cool. It's kind of like when you start playing basketball a lot more, you notice the little things where you start training MMA. You notice the little things that they do when you're like, well, that's crazy to make it out on the box. So this is kind of random, but have you, have you talked to? So do they put you back in the green room on days that you're supposed to appear? So I got in the green room every Monday to see what's going on. And then if I'm downstairs waiting and if they need me, they'll bring me up. So I do get to be in the green room for a little bit, which is cool. You know, I get to meet a bunch of different people. What is William Montgomery like? He is the nicest guy. He is not the dude. I saw that you did a podcast with him. I listened to it for a bit. And I mean, he is such like a wrecking ball. He is so funny. He's like, he's like one of my favorite acts. Like I'll watch the whole thing just to see him. And I'm like, this is amazing. Have you talked to Joe Rogan by chance? No, we've seen each other a little bit, but you know, he's such a busy guy. But always people find that. So I mean, I've said hello, but I don't really talk to him much because, you know, he's always busy and there's always 15 million people around him. But he's a really nice guy and like, William, William is so funny. He's so smart. He's on. He's on it. And like that podcast was so much fun because we just got to riff and just go in different directions forever. Wherever we wanted to go. And it's really, it's really fun to see the process in person. Because him and Casey Rocket are so on their feet. Oh, I love Casey Rocket. Yeah. They're so, they're so cool. And so it's magical to see like geniuses at work. And that's what I love to hear. I've been a fan of the show for like the past like four or five years. And to see people like you and Casey Rocket just come out of nowhere. And you guys have a crazy talent. Like I think it's so cool that everyone gets to like witness you guys like, you know, form your, your, your act and like form your career. Is there anyone that that has like wanted to take you on the road with them or anything? Do you think you're going toward any point or are you still trying to like build things up right now? Right now I'm really trying to work on having a strong, strong 20. I can do 30, 35 and when I am on the road and when I'm on stage, it's fun. But right now I'm really focusing on trying to get the best 20 minutes. And, and I am doing stuff with like Enrique and he, if we're going to go do a show and I'll pass it on January 10, which is really fun. And like I do stuff with like Rick and I sometimes, you know, we all kind of look out for each other. So it comes and goes. And right now, the main thing that I'm focusing on is just doing as many slots and I was like, and trying to get 90 minutes worth of stage time a week. Because if I'm doing 90 minutes of stage time a week, there's obviously going to be some progression no matter what I'm doing. Working hard and really trying to think of new material, getting my pacing down and just really focusing on the little nuances of being on stage. And everything will come together. Who do you think won the contest between Rick Diaz and Hans Kim. It's such a tricky one, because I wasn't in the building for the LA forum one. And I wasn't in the building. And I was in the building for the New Year's one, but I was. So, so where they had the climate work, they had us behind the screen. Okay, because they're the big screen up there. So we were behind. So I couldn't really hear anything that was going off. Because like I was all the way in, because they had us all like scrunched up, so we had to walk all the way down the row. And so I didn't get to hear a lot of it. And so I, the second one, you can tell it was, I think Hans probably won the second one for sure. Okay. The first one was really, really close. I, I, I almost think it was too close to call, because it was so crazy, and everything of that nature. But, you know, I love both those boys. They're both my friends. They're both great people. And, and, you know, it was such a great, it was such a great, like thing. It felt like WrestleMania. And that's it, because like as a boxing fan, it had that big fight mentality, you know, when you watch a canelo, canelo Berlin, like it had that feeling where you were like, whoa, we don't know what's going to happen. We're here for the sport. And, and I think that was, it was very magical in that moment, because you just felt that big everyone was like, who's going to win? You never know. It's been a long time. So I, I appreciated it for what it was. And I feel like they both are great comedians and great. And they did a lot of really cool stuff for Phil Tony and that regard. So, you know, I love them both. And it's a hard one to call. Hard one to call. Most definitely. Yeah, just, just the energy of watching it. I was like, Oh, this, this shit's going, Oh, it's going down. Yeah, it was like you said, it was like fight night, dude. Like the energy was in the air. What, what advice do you have to give the people that, that like want to sign up for the show? Because I want to go so bad. Like, that's one of my life goals is to go to Austin, Texas and sign up for kill Tony. I would probably be dog shit, but at the same time, like, like it sounds like it would be a fun thing. Because what if you do good, and then all of a sudden, you know. Here's what I'll say. I would say because this kill Tony is something that can change your life and there's a lot of comedians that are signing up because they love what they do. And they want to, they want to put their heart out there. If you're going to do it. Do two to three months worth of likes. Focus on your minute. Really, really do something because if you go up there and you're not trying, you are wasting an opportunity for someone who is hungry and has been signing up for a long time. Very much, as someone, as someone who had to sign up for 10 and a half months before he got full, seeing people that you just know when they're like, yeah, I don't have a minute. I just want to be on stage or I have a minute. And it's dog do do the next. And then I watch it three or two weeks later. And it's dog doing it. And it's like, man, he took a spot from somebody. Yeah, I could have really, really used it to boost their name up. And so if you're going to do it, do it right. Go to mics. Don't suffer. You're going to be last on the list. Oh, yeah. You're going to play candy cups for three hours while someone while you're hearing everyone else work on their act. But you got it. You got to really dedicate yourself and put in the time. And really focus on, hey, is this something I want to do. And because if you don't like being on stage and the first time you're on stage is when there's 300 people staring at you. And you can't form a sentence when you're doing the interview. You, you should have gotten on stage a couple of times to see if you didn't like that. And some people don't like being on stage. And so they get on stage. So get on stage, work a minute, try to do the best you can, you know, interact with other comedians, try to try to get in the scene. You know, enjoy because once you start, you only get to start comedy once. And it's one of the greatest journeys. If you want to pursue it, you'll have it. It'll be amazing. And you know what, you only have a career for six months. But you know what, you'll think about that for the rest of your life. Oh, definitely. Just do comedy, man. That's what I want people to do. Just do comedy. Do it because you want to get on till coming. Comedy is fucking, it is one of the most fun art forms that you can do. And not everyone can do it. But if you can do it and have fun on stage, there's nothing like it. There's no other high than doing great on stage. You feel so good. There's some lows. Trust me. Oh, yeah. I mean, I've longed on an episode that has almost 25 billion views. Oh, did you really? Which one? I didn't think you've ever really done that bad. Which one? Oh, no. The Biden, the Biden Trump, I staged it with a dance battle. Oh, no, I thought that was funny. Oh, just about to say, I didn't think that was, I didn't think that was bad. I was entertaining. I'm not heartless critic. And that's why I can't look at the comments because I get it. I really agree with them. They don't understand how brutal it is sometimes when you just see the hate. And that's why I can't even like I had the block ready completely. Oh, yeah. I'm actually on Reddit. Yeah. I know what you're saying. People are so mean. And the thing is, it's like, when I watch feel funny, I have to turn it, turn it into landscape mode so I can't see the comments. You can't see them at the bottom. I have to watch it. Yeah. Watch it. But I can't look at what other people are saying. I have to focus on what I can do better. And I think sometimes it gets into your head when you're like, am I supposed to be here? What am I doing? And sometimes you just have to understand that there's people that don't understand how hard and how difficult doing a minute on stage because Oh, yeah. So when I'm doing a longer set, people are like, Oh, my God, they're amazed because they see what I'm doing. And they're like, Wow, it's great. And so doing that minute and like this last minute where I talk about Jesse's place. It was a, it was a really, I think my head wasn't in the minute as much because I just wanted to talk about Jesse and talk about everything good that was happening with Jesse's place because that place helps so many people. And so my mind wasn't in the minute. And I feel like you can feel it a little bit. Yeah. And then because it's that room. It's so hard to find any last like they were last. But yeah, I heard some. And that's the thing is like, it didn't sound great. But, but I think, I don't know, it's a very difficult way to navigate. So I'm just, I've just been really focusing on what I can do better doing as many spots as I can, and just really pull one through. And I thought it was good. I think there was a couple, I mean, I'm not a comedian, but just as like, like a part of the audience, there was probably a couple spots where like you could have hit the punchline in a different way. But still, like I enjoyed listening to your set. I enjoy you every time you come on. That's why I wanted to. I was like, I got to talk to this guy. I was like, we got to have one, dude. Like, you know, so no, you're, you're killing it, man. You're doing a great job. And all the people who, who have nasty comments about you online. Honestly, comedy is probably one of the hardest things you can do. And the fact that you're getting up there and you're doing that, I mean, that in itself is, is an accomplishment. And everyone else can honestly go fuck themselves. I'm not going to lie. What I realized is, what I realized is, is I think too, this is just one of one of the things I've realized. Some of the people who are so negative is because they, they, they hyper fixate themselves on feel tell me where it's just such a big part of their life. That they want, they want their opinion heard. So they say they don't like someone. They want to vocalize it as much as possible because an arm for six months. Oh, I did my job. It makes them feel better. So when they, they won't, they won't. A lot of that Reddit is a lot of negativity. Oh, it's awful. I don't know why I don't know why you want to be so negative all the time. I don't get it. I know it upset me because I mean, there's, there's some good comments as well. But it just upsets me to see how how people are. I mean, I think a lot of people do it just because they hate their own lives. And they're like, Oh, I'm just going to say something nasty about someone else just to make, you know, my, my day better feel better. Yeah, yeah. Make yourself feel better. But yeah, I wouldn't worry about it. There was a guy just YouTube shorts. I'm not going to say what we're doing. But he was so negative about it. And I randomly saw one time I was swiping down and on YouTube shorts. And I see sure they can just opt for that. So, so instead of getting on him, I just fall in on my Instagram. Yeah, I followed him on Instagram. And he automatically goes, Oh, man, he's such a likable guy. Oh, no flipped his tone. Knowing, knowing that. Okay, because I just follow him. I didn't put any method that didn't send him anything. I just followed just to give him like a hey, like a hey, I saw you. I know what's going on. And, and, you know, I haven't listened to this. That's a power move. That's, but it was just like, you know, I know all those people want to read it if they saw me in real life, they'd be like, Oh my God. True niggas. I saw you on co Tony. I love you, bro. Exactly. Right. And the thing is, you know, they, they, they'll do that. And then they'll, then they'll be a fan once they see that I'm a real person. Sometimes I think they forget everybody on that show was a real person. Yeah, they were hateful things that you stay in. And, and when you're really fucking negative about somebody, like, it affects you. And I have imposter syndrome a lot when it's like, I don't belong anywhere. And so I deal with those stuff a lot. So, understanding that I have to understand that there's always going to be negativity no matter what. I could, I could save 70 people out of a building, and people will be like, but he's still out. I could, I could do me 50 million and maybe like, yeah, man, but I still got to clean my ears out because he's so, he's so I'm racist. Like they would find something negative. Oh, dude, you can't worry about that. Everybody's just got their little comments. But that's the thing is, I'm learning to deal with that. And I'm sure it's new for you because you're new at this like this is all new stuff for you. So it's probably tough for you to. Yeah. Right. And it's been the craziest six months of my life. You know, that's so awesome. I'm so happy for you, man, to, to see your success and your life change and, and to hear you talk about it. That is so cool. Those are the stories that we love around here. You know what I mean? Right. Cause we're, we're, we're trying to, you know, we're trying to make something happen. You know, which, but we still love hearing stories like this, but I do have one question. Because you brought it up. That episode you were on with Shane Gillis as Donald Trump and all that. I got to know what Shane Gillis is like, like, I love Shane Gillis too. I think he's amazing. What is Shane Gillis like? Is he exactly like you would think, you know, he's a cool, you know, he's a cool, quiet. Good dude. Just this one of the boys, you know. Yeah, he's one of the, he's just a good dude, like in general, like anybody in the Tampa Mayor. Sean Gornini, J.D. McCann, Matt McCusker. All those boys and just some of the nicest people you'll meet. And comedy is that way too. There, there, there hasn't been a person that I've been like, I don't want to deal with them. Everybody in the comedy world is just really kind and awesome. And that's one of the really surprising things like, I love everybody that I've encountered in the comedy world because they're just good people. And, you know, you never know who you're going to be, who's a killer, you know, who's a good soul. Yeah, yeah. You never, you never know and it's just, it's amazing. So, that is, I'm just happy to be around the great people that I've been able to. That's amazing. So we are at 25 minutes. I don't want to take up too much of your time. We can keep going if you want or, or if you got to go. That's, that's awesome. If you got one more, but I'll do one more question. One more question. Take it away, Drew. Oh shit, put me on the spot. Where do you see yourself going in the future? What, what's like, what's your next plans? Are you, are you still just trying to figure everything out? What I want to do is I just want to, I want to be a strong feature and maybe do some, maybe do some headlining working. But right now I just want to, like in the future, I just want to keep doing comedy. I still want to keep refining my minutes, keep refining my, my act in general and just see where it takes me because right now I'm on. Come on that, that ledge of, of lifetime career and kind of what it should have, you know, so that I'm right on that edge and I feel like I'm working really hard to push myself towards making this a career and making people happy on stage and doing whatever I can to be the best person I can be. And I contributed member of society and showing that there's, there's no limitations if you work hard in the fine. Cause that's what, that's what you have to do is like, you got to work hard, you got to be kind and you got to, you got to put your focus in the right places and that's what the things can happen. So that's all I'll say is I just want to work hard and hopefully the results put me in a place where I can be the best person I can be. That was a beautiful last word. Beautiful way to put it. And we really appreciate you coming on. Yes, Drew, thank you so much for coming on the show with us today. I know you're a very busy man. And, yeah, it's just been more than an honor to be able to talk to you today, man. Thank you so much. Y'all have a great day, right? Hey, you as well. Everybody, we're going to put all of his links in the description below. Again, he was on Kill Tony. Check out any of the episodes that Drew Nick was on Kill Tony. He's probably going to be on there again. So go ahead and check that out. We're going to link his Instagram and everything down in the description below. And, and on Instagram, in my link tree, I have a story about Jesse, my little brother that actually about seven years ago. And there is a charity man, his name called Jesse's place that helped me. I'm an adult 18 and 24. They get a place to sleep. They get their own bedding. They get job training. They get medical help and mental health and they get them on medications and everything. So it's a really important place. If you ever think of a if you have any. Oh, man, I need to donate the charity. Please consider that read read the articles and everything of that nature that they always need help on the Amazon list and everything else. Check the link tree. If you want to and everything else. So thank you all so much. Absolutely. Yeah, we're going to put that link tree down in the description below. Be sure to check that out and donate to his organization. Drew, again, thank you so much for coming on the show and we'll talk to you later. All right. Bye. Thank you. Yes sir. Thank you so much. Have a great day. Yes sir. [MUSIC PLAYING]