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Meet Bubba McComb

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Bubba McComb.

Bubba, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My first exposure to entertainment from an artist perspective was the first band I was in called Redeemer. We were a five piece band out of Phoenix, AZ and my first time on stage was with my new band. The nerves that came before our first show was so insane, I felt like I was going shit my pants and throw up the entire day of the show. When we finally started and saw the audience have a positive reaction, I knew I liked being on stage.

Eventually, the band replaced me with an undoubtedly more talented musician who also happened to be a friend, and that would then propel me to start my first clothing company. I created Steady5 Clothing Company in the summer of 2011. Initially, the feedback and support were really awesome. I started with an order of 20 (one color print) shirts on the cheapest Hanes T-Shirts I could buy at the time.

After the first release, I knew that I wasn’t going to allow myself to promote and sell mediocre products. At least to my standards. Steady5 Clothing Company lasted for a couple of years, but due to me and my live-in girlfriend at the time splitting up, I had to use the profits from the company to avoid any financial, legal repercussions. I made the decision not to try and start that clothing company back up, and let it die.

Years later after, I had broken straight edge and ended my sobriety streak, my thoughts had found a new home within the creative space in my brain. I had spent years 16-23 living a pure straightedge lifestyle which at the time was the best option/decision for me. However, I had no outlet for my emotions other than anger and reaction.

I smoked a blunt one night with my sister to officially end my 7-year drug-free streak, and I can confidently say that one moment saved me, and was the catalyst for the change I was about to put myself through. As I went on in life, I started asking myself questions for the first time like “What do I truly want to do in life?” I never had a clear answer, and for the first time in my life, I was at peace with the uncertainty.

In the summer of 2017, I started another lifestyle brand/clothing brand called Vibe Cop. The name Vibe Cop is an amalgam of all I endured and was able to hold on to positivity in my darkest times. Vibe Cop essentially represents the idea of maintaining a positive perspective and making sure negative energy stays out of your life… No matter how you have to keep it out.

Wheels have been slow in motion for Vibe Cop within the last few years, and I continually place focus on growth and maintaining consistency. About a year and eight months ago, I did my first Stand Up Comedy set in my life. All of my friends came out to support, and couldn’t have had a better time. I got laughs, compliments, and anything a first timer could ever want to hear.

The club owner asked me if I wanted to come back the next week for a booked show, and I was beside myself. I was thinking “Wow my first time on stage, and he already wants me back? This is easy!” Flash forward to the following weekend. Whatever ego was left in my body was having me feeling great. Chatted up the touring comic, greeted the club owner and waiting for the “Crowd” to arrive. First show starts… this is my first booked show of my life.

A true milestone for my comedy “career” already, and I am shaking with excitement. I walk out to the stage and remove the mic from the stand, and to my surprise, there are TWO PEOPLE in the crowd for the first show at 7 pm. I am immediately terrified and started my set. Seven whole minutes of material that just killed last week at the open mic… did not get a singular laugh that night. I was so devastated and didn’t know how to feel.

After the first show, me and the comics go to the back and smoke a blunt, calm down, and analyze the first show. The touring comic was very nice and assured me that it’s hard to get two people to laugh no matter who you are, and not to worry about it. I took his advice, continued smoking and waiting for the late show at 9 pm.

Second show comes around, and I go up on stage. Yet again, I am met with two people in the crowd, two different people, but two people nonetheless. I decided to open my set with an “Ass Eating” joke, and I lost the “Crowd” immediately. AGAIN, seven minutes with zero laughter.

After my set was over, my friend’s dad arrived to inform me that my friend was on her way to my show and was in a car accident. She would be okay, but she wanted to make sure someone told me why she wasn’t there. So not only did I bomb twice in a row, the only friend I had that wanted to come out and support me, almost died doing so.

After that night, I didn’t do comedy for over an entire year. I was so traumatized by that event and lost almost every bit of desire I had to continue standup comedy.

August of 2018 I was listening to my favorite podcast in the world (Church of What’s Happening Now) and heard the host Joey “Coco” Diaz explaining the process of becoming a comedian. How no matter what level you’re on, you still bomb, and you still fall on your face. If you can’t accept that, you’ll never be a comedian. He then went on to talk about his journey to becoming a comic, and it truly struck a chord in me.

That following Thursday, I went and did an open mic at a local club in Chandler, and conquered my fear of doing standup (AGAIN). I hit a couple more open mics and reinstalled some self-confidence. Since that day, I have been performing, writing, and progressing in my comedic creativity on a constant basis.

I have fallen so deeply in love with Standup Comedy, and within the last seven-eight months, I have validated this new found belief and confidence in myself. I have never truly believed in anything I have done in my life. I have indulged myself in quite a few hobbies including Kendama, Skateboarding, Podcasting, etc. However, I have never been in love with a craft like I am now with Standup.

The opportunities that have presented themselves to me in this short amount of time (Including this interview) is truly overwhelming and hard to accept that I put the work in that was necessary to feel this way. Between the almost “High” feeling you get after doing a good set is something I’ve not experienced until recently either. Comedians, club owners, fans, observers, and even the wait staff is such a unique group of individuals

I believe I have found a home in the Comedy Scene. After my new found passion for comedy, I decided to expand that passion into the commonly crossed over lane of podcasting. My buddy Guyv3r (Local Hip Hop Heavyweight) and I started a podcast in 2015 that unfortunately pattered out due to scheduling conflicts, but my drive to continue podcasting far exceeded the eventual ending of our podcast.

In September of 2018, I started my podcast called the “Hella Tired” podcast. I host, produce, and edit all of my episodes. My passion for connecting with people and learning what makes them who they have never been transcribed into a form of creativity in my life before I knew what a podcast was. I felt like I owed it to myself to create this outlet for myself, to continue my love for connecting with unique individuals.

Since the start of the podcast, I have had guests on that I could only literally dream of hosting them before. Personal favorite comedian of mine in Steve Simeone, Household names like comedian Brad Williams, local artists, musicians, makeup artist, etc.

I really don’t have any idea on why these amazing things are happening in my life right now, but I have found true happiness in creativity. Whether you do standup, music, write, exercise, or whatever… just make sure you’re not lying to yourself when you ask “Am I enjoying Myself?” Don’t be afraid to be discontent with who and where you are in this life.

Just make sure those feelings are coming from an honest, individualistic place. Not from the need to blend in and confirm. Take your life by the reins and maximize the time we have here on this weird planet. I am beyond grateful for the people that have supported me so far. I only want to provide good energy and experiences to those that would like to be a part of my world.

You are all welcome to be in it.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My experience so far could only be explained in this analogy: “Smooth is to Road, as Water is to Solid.” In other words, it has NOT been easy.

In this time of exponential growth, I have had serious roadblocks ranging from a wide variety of stressors. Unprovoked depression was a big one. It took me quite a while to take serious action on my mental health. I see a therapist now, and take SSRI’s to keep my head above water! The battle has been won, but the war is not over.

I have plenty of progress to make regarding mental health, but I am excited with the progress I continue to make. I had also tried to balance and build a healthy relationship with my significant other during those depressive states. I put too much on my plate and ended up being not only an ineffective boyfriend, but my creative progress had ultimately came to a halt.

I wasn’t being honest with myself in what I wanted in my life, in a SO, or even what next year was going to look like. I also became hyper self-aware of this issue after I started taking my medications, and eventually acknowledged my true feelings and separated myself from the relationship. Throughout the years, I have had an unnatural amount of friends and family pass away.

Although sometimes it really is hard to think about all of the people no longer with us, it has undoubtedly forced me to view life in an unorthodox perspective. Death is no longer a tragic event in my mind, and wouldn’t have been able to handle it all unless I was able to adopt a non-destructive thought process on the cycle of life at a very early age.

I had witnessed drug addiction, spousal abuse, incarceration, homelessness, etc. all within my family. I, unfortunately, had plenty of examples of who NOT to be in my life essentially the first 22 years of my life. It wasn’t very hard to become self-aware at a young age when so many extreme circumstances became a norm. Not to mention my time working on the ambulance as an EMT. I’ve seen some shit! lol

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bubba McComb – Hella Tired Podcast – Vibe Cop story. Tell us more about the business.
I do a plethora of things to be completely honest. I will try and structure this as well as possible.

I am known for mainly for Standup Comedy, Podcast, Vibe Cop and Playing Kendama. I have purposefully involved myself in groups with a high saturation of creative minds. I feel like I mesh best with hyperactive idealists and imaginative people.

What sets me apart from the others is not a whole lot, to be honest. None of us are special, some of us just recognize the potential and harness it. Sometimes people recognize the TALENT, but never maximizes their potential. Eventually leading to nowhere. I didn’t recognize my potential OR maximize my potential when I felt like I had a little bit.

However through constantly checking myself, and not allowing myself to lie to avoid adversity… I have FINALLY acknowledged my potential and am doing everything that’s within my book of knowledge to maximize this little glimmer of potential. That’s what I am most proud of, going against the grain within myself. Saying NO to the voice that prevents you from making a move.

Oh, and I love essentially everyone who isn’t blatantly evil hehe

We always love to ask about the support network – have there been people, perhaps mentors or advisors, who have played a big role in your success?
This list is a long one for sure. My sister Melissa aka Slumpedgoddess has been my most avid supporter and has shown me the most love out of everyone. She’s always at my sets, sharing my content, buying clothes, and being a REAL homie. Even though she’s my sister lol Abe Garcia aka Little Fiji has also shown some insane support since I started.

Local comics like Derek McFarland, Thomas Eppolito, and Bryan Ricci have extended their hand in helping me whenever I need without question. That means the world to me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

My parents have been extremely supportive of all my ventures in life. They understand that I have truly found a passion, and they are super happy for me. Making my mom proud is one of the last things in life I genuinely care about lol.

My Best friend Chelsea Rideout aka Lunar Waifu has been my ride or die since I started, she is one of the most gifted people I know in the form of vocal talent and digital art. Any help I’ve ever needed, she has been there with zero expectations.

I really honestly could go on for a super long time, I am so lucky to have received the support I have thus far. I love you all.

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