#1097 - Legion of Skanks

Big Jay Oakerson, born Jason Michael Oakerson on December 7, 1977, in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, is an American stand-up comedian, radio host, podcaster, and actor renowned for his laid-back delivery and explicit, irreverent humor. Oakerson began performing stand-up in the late 1990s in Philadelphia , where he earned a reputation as a "comic's comic" among peers, before relocating to New York City in the early 2000s to pursue broader opportunities. His career, spanning over two decades, emphasizes constant touring across the United States and the release of multiple comedy albums and specials that highlight his signature style of observational and crowd-work-driven routines. Notable stand-up releases include Live at Webster Hall (2016) on Comedy Central , the full-length special Dog Belly (2023) available on YouTube , and the crowd work special Them/They (2025) also on YouTube . In radio and podcasting, Oakerson co-hosts the daily SiriusXM show The Bonfire on Faction Talk (channel 103), airing weekdays from New York City with comedian Robert Kelly, where the duo engages in unfiltered discussions, comedy bits, and guest interviews. He also co-hosts the long-running podcast Legion of Skanks with Luis J. Gomez and Dave Smith through the GaS Digital Network, known for its raw, no-holds-barred conversations on comedy , culture, and personal anecdotes since 2012. As an actor , Oakerson has made supporting appearances in films including Hustlers (2019) and Isn't It Romantic (2019), often drawing on his comedic background for ensemble roles. His work across these mediums has solidified his status as a prominent figure in contemporary American comedy , blending traditional stand-up with modern media platforms. Jason Michael Oakerson, professionally known as Big Jay Oakerson, was born on December 7, 1977, in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Oakerson spent his early childhood in West Philadelphia. As a child, Oakerson was known as a class clown among his friends. Later, his family relocated to Blackwood, New Jersey, for high school. Oakerson attended Robert E. Lamberton High School in West Philadelphia during his early high school years. In his senior year, he relocated with his mother and stepfather to the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey , where he completed his high school education at Triton Regional High School in Runnemede. His initial exposure to stand-up comedy came through Philadelphia's local scenes during his late teenage years, rooted in the city's diverse cultural backdrop that influenced his early humor. At age 19, shortly after high school, Oakerson began performing at the Laff House, a predominantly Black comedy club on South Street in South Philadelphia . As a young white performer in this environment, he initially succeeded with rudimentary, crowd-pleasing material like "shitty Jerry Springer jokes" tailored to a young, Black, hip-hop-oriented audience, but soon faced significant challenges when his sets failed to connect for weeks and months afterward. These experiences in diverse, demanding comedy spaces compelled Oakerson to adapt rapidly, crafting observational jokes about figures like P. Diddy and urban superhero scenarios to engage skeptical crowds, which helped forge his raw, unfiltered style. The contrast between his background and the club's audience dynamic tested his resilience, emphasizing quick-witted improvisation over polished routines and laying the groundwork for his future approach to crowd work and boundary-pushing humor. Big Jay Oakerson began his professional stand-up career in Philadelphia in 1999, performing at open mics and local clubs such as the Laff House, a predominantly Black comedy venue where he honed his skills alongside emerging talents like Kevin Hart and Keith Robinson. Known early on as a "comic's comic," Oakerson earned respect from fellow performers for his raw, unfiltered material delivered in urban club circuits during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Dave Smith is an American stand-up comedian and libertarian political commentator who hosts the podcast Part of the Problem , where he critiques government policies, foreign interventions, and corporate media influence through a lens of individual liberty and skepticism toward state power. His work emphasizes first-hand examination of political events, often highlighting inconsistencies in bipartisan approaches to issues like war and economic regulation. Smith gained prominence in comedy with his 2017 debut special Libertas , which held the top spot on the iTunes comedy charts for over three weeks, blending sharp observational humor with libertarian principles. He followed with 30 Minutes with Dave Smith in 2023, further establishing his reputation in stand-up circuits through nationwide tours and appearances at venues like Comedy Works and House of Comedy. As a frequent guest on platforms including The Joe Rogan Experience , Fox News's Kennedy , and The Greg Gutfeld Show , Smith has built a following for his unfiltered takes that challenge prevailing narratives, associating with organizations like the Mises Institute to promote free-market ideas and anti-statism. While his commentary has drawn acclaim for its rigor within libertarian communities, it has also sparked debates, such as his 2025 exchange with Douglas Murray on The Joe Rogan Experience over U.S. foreign policy commitments, underscoring tensions between isolationist and interventionist perspectives on the right. David Smith was born on April 20, 1983, in New York City and raised in Brooklyn by his single mother. He grew up in a lower-middle-class household alongside an older sister, with a half-brother born thirteen years later from his mother's second marriage. Smith's family background is Jewish, and he has identified as the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, noting that his heritage significantly influenced his early years. These elements shaped his perspective, though he has not detailed specific childhood experiences beyond the family structure in public accounts. Smith attended Morrisville State College and later transferred to the University at Albany, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in history.) Dave Smith began performing stand-up comedy in New York City around 2006, initially drawing inspiration from comedians such as Patrice O'Neal , Dave Attell , Big Jay Oakerson , and Kurt Metzger . He developed his act through the traditional New York club circuit, focusing on sharp observational humor infused with libertarian perspectives. A key milestone came in 2013 when Smith was featured as one of the "New Faces" at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal , marking increased recognition in the industry. He followed this with performances in the New York Comedy Festival's "New York's Funniest" showcase in 2014 and 2015, solidifying his presence in competitive comedy environments. Smith's career advanced significantly with the release of his debut hour-long special, Libertas , in September 2017, produced through the GaS Digital Network, which topped the iTunes comedy charts for over three weeks. This special highlighted his evolution toward politically charged material, blending personal anecdotes with critiques of government overreach, and helped transition his audience from club shows to broader online platforms. Subsequent work, including the 2023 half-hour special 30 Minutes with Dave Smith , further demonstrated his maturation as a comedian prioritizing unfiltered commentary over mainstream appeal. Smith hosts the libertarian-leaning podcast Part of the Problem , which analyzes current events, government actions, foreign policy, and related topics from a perspective critical of state intervention. Co-hosted with Robbie "The Fire" Bernstein, the program has aired over 900 episodes, available through platforms including GaS Digital Network, Spotify, and YouTube.

Brian Redban, born Brian Alan Reichle on August 4, 1974, in Columbus, Ohio, is an American comedian, podcast producer, and media personality best known as the original producer and engineer for The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), which he helped launch with its first episode on December 24, 2009. He is also the founder of the Deathsquad podcast network, which supports multiple comedy-focused shows, and he currently co-hosts the live comedy podcast Kill Tony alongside Tony Hinchcliffe. Redban's career in podcasting began in the late 2000s, where he played a pivotal role in establishing early technical infrastructure for shows like JRE, including engineering audio and video production from Joe Rogan's home in California and later from dedicated studios under the Deathsquad network. As a stand-up comedian, he has performed nationally at comedy clubs across the United States and contributed to the growth of the podcasting medium by producing and supporting numerous independent comedy podcasts under the Deathsquad banner. His work has been instrumental in popularizing live-streamed comedy podcasts, with Kill Tony gaining recognition for its unique format of featuring emerging comedians in a talk-show style setting. Beyond production, Redban has appeared as a guest on various episodes of JRE and maintains an active presence in the comedy scene, often blending his technical expertise with on-air humor. His contributions to podcast technology and comedy have positioned him as a key figure in the evolution of digital media entertainment since the early 2010s. Brian Redban, born Brian Alan Reichle on August 4, 1974, in Columbus, Ohio, grew up in the Midwestern city that shaped his early years. As a native of Columbus, Redban spent his formative years in the community, where limited public records indicate a typical upbringing in the region without specific details on family dynamics or personal influences emerging from available sources. While details on childhood hobbies or local events from his pre-adult life remain sparsely documented, his Ohio roots provided the foundational environment before his interests extended toward media and entertainment. Brian Redban, a native of Columbus, Ohio, entered the comedy scene through producing videos for comedian Doug Stanhope and was later hired by Joe Rogan to film, produce, and edit videos during comedy tours, while also performing as a stand-up comedian during his early years in Los Angeles. His initial foray into media work included video production for live comedy events, demonstrating his growing skills in capturing and editing audio-visual content within the entertainment industry. A notable example of this transitional phase occurred in February 2007, when Redban filmed the onstage confrontation between comedians Joe Rogan and Carlos Mencia at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California, an event that underscored his hands-on involvement in the local comedy ecosystem. Through these early gigs and production roles at comedy clubs, Redban honed his abilities in audio and video technology, transitioning from amateur efforts to professional contributions in the field. These experiences laid the foundation for his later media endeavors. Brian Redban began his technical career in media production in the early 2000s, initially working as a self-taught video editor while employed at a Gateway computer store in Ohio. Around 2003, he was hired by comedian Joe Rogan to handle full-time filming, production, and editing of videos for Rogan's website, marking his entry into professional broadcasting roles outside of traditional radio or television. Prior to this, Redban had reached out to other comedians, such as Doug Stanhope , to offer his services in website design and video production, where he filmed and edited footage of Stanhope's shows for online distribution before platforms like YouTube existed.