Laughter Profile: Mando Blanco

Laughter Profile: Mando Blanco Laughter Profile is a semi-regular feature to suncitycomedy.com, this column features interviews with members of the community, local and national celebrities, members of Sun City Comedy and national touring performers.

Mando Blanco is someone every comedian knows in El Paso, seeing how it was him that brought together most of the performers that now form the original members of Sun City Comedy; Mando holds the distinction of being the only member of Sun City Comedy that has had his very own comedy roast. We met with Mando for a very special Laughter profile and see how this man helped launch one of the funniest comedy groups in the southwest.

Sun City Comedy: So, Mando how is it that you came to be? Tell us a little bit of the history of Mando.

Mando Blanco: Well, I am originally from Sacramento, California but moved to El Paso when I was one year old, I grew up in the northeast of the El Paso but I consider myself a Californian at heart, even though I’ve never been back to Sacramento. I went to Irvin High School and was on the Basketball team there, but I was never a jock, right now I am attending UTEP majoring in creative writing and work at Starbucks to support my studies.

SCC: I bet you can make me laugh and one mean chai tea latte… but maybe later. So, what attracted you to comedy?

MB: I like making people live in the moment, while you’re onstage no matter how you’re doing, the crowd forgets their troubles soundbyte even if it’s only for a moment, for that moment all the do is enjoy, and laugh the night away…

SCC: You sound like a vaudeville performer, and with the current economical situation I guess its ok, what compels you to do standup comedy?

MB: For the same reason that I like it, comedy always brings your mood to another level, when I am on stage nothing exists except that microphone and the crowd, no worries just being myself, going with the flow and at least get a chuckle out of some people…

SCC: I’ve seen your act, your Christopher Walken impression is one for the ages, what got you into comedy?

MB: I really never had an interest in comedy I wanted to put shows together with bands that I liked and just enjoy the music scene, I was working at the copy center at community college when a professor dropped up some flyers that had standup comedy listed, so we got talking and my interest in comedy was peaked. The first show I did I was very nervous, but only in the sense that I had never done it before, but my friends being there added a level of comfort, I also got advice from some veteran local comedians and that helped me keep doing it soundbite1

SCC: Ah so your more of a musician, (now the drum set in the corner of the room makes sense) How Long have you been a standup comic and what do you want to achieve thru your comedy?

MB: I’ve been doing comedy for about 5 years and in all this time all I’ve ever wanted was to make El Paso a comedy town. A lot of comedians from everywhere in the country pass thru here going to other places where comedy is bigger and better, I want El Paso to be the town that they stop because they know we welcome all comedians, with shows, workshops and everything comedy, oh and lots of money.

SCC: What have you learned from being a stand up comedian, besides the drugs, women, and partying part of it?

MB: I learned a lot of business in general. It’s tough, the comedy business is filled with egocentric people that will be bitter towards your success but also that there are people that will help you when you are not at your finest, and I’ve also learned that some comedians are jerks.

SCC: Yeah some of them are, well besides the ones that are jerks, who are your comedic influences?

MB: Jim Carrey, love his overacted acting, he always looks like he is having fun with it. And Pablo Francisco.

SCC: Well, the hour is up and I need to get going since SCC won’t pay overtime, before we finish this interview do you have any advice to aspiring comedians?

MB: Learn how to take peoples advice, be cool. Oh and don’t be a jerk.