Parker Bowman

Visalia

Someone (probably comedian Steve Allen) once said that comedy is tragedy plus time.

Add a new equation to the chalk board: comedy plus time will result in the new album from Bruce Gray and Bryan Vokey.

The duo’s standup performances on Saturday, Jan. 7 in Tulare will be recorded for release next year.

The album will feature separate sets from both comics, as well as sketches.

“We have all the sketches written, we just don’t have them recorded yet,” Gray says.

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He expects the album to be released in April or May digitally and possibly physically on CD or vinyl as well.

“He’s a really funny comic,” Gray says about Vokey. “He’s newer to comedy, he’s been doing it about four years, I think, but before that he was in successful punk bands that got to play in something like 30 different countries and did cool things through music.”

Gray started performing comedy in his hometown of Bakersfield when he turned 18, almost five years ago. At the time, Bakersfield’s comedy scene was akin to a Milwaukee Bucks game in February — sparsely attended.

There weren’t many shows or opportunities to perform, according to Gray, which led to him and others created Oil City Comedy.

Oil City Comedy now hosts a weekly open mic for aspiring standups once a week at the Rocket Shop Café. There were only a handful of comedians a few years ago, but now there are around 30 regulars, who embody the comedy scene, according to Gray.

Gray’s comedy influences range from alt-comedy types Todd Barry and Patton Oswalt to the controversial Doug Stanhope, but his first giggle fits came from a comedian who flies slightly under the “cool” radar, someone that you may not see regularly on “@Midnight.”

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“The first comedy I ever heard was a Rodney Carrington CD that I’d steal from my dad’s truck and listen to at night,” Gray says.

Saturday’s performances will be at Tulare’s Barmageddon, which is ground zero for brews and arcade games as well as its own blossoming comedy scene.

Gray, who now lives in Los Angeles, says that he’s very comfortable at Barmageddon and that it is one of the first places he has cultivated a fanbase, and he even lent a helping hand during renovations at the bar.

“Barmageddon is a cool home base for everyone in Visalia and Tulare,” Gray says. “It used to be a dumpy bar, but then it got bought by comedians and musicians and they turned it into a cool thing. Barmageddon is probably one of the most comedian-friendly venues anywhere. The people who own it just really know how to treat comedians.”

Christian Pieper, who has been featured on the Bob and Tom radio show will also perform.

The show starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 at Barmageddon, 126 East Kern Ave. in Tulare.

Admission is $10 for the 21 and up show.

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How to Attend:

What: Stand-up comedy by Bruce Gray, Bryan Vokey and more

Where: Barmageddon, 126 East Kern Ave. in Tulare

When: Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

Admission: $10