A veteran on the indie rock circuit, Neil Hamburger adds some variety to the docket on your rock club calendar. The Australian-born comedian with the ridiculous comb-over and even more ridiculous jokes, is still performing 20 years after his humble beginnings playing in pizza parlors.

“I started as a young pup — now I’m burnt out, exhausted and playing mainly rock ‘n’ roll nightclubs,” says the man who was born Gregg Turkington.

For Hamburger, though, it’s all about the fans.

“We’re out here telling jokes, spreading joy and that’s what it’s all about: for [people] to forget about their problems before they continue living their lives,” he says.

While the middle aged cynic hasn’t hit the primetime, he makes it his job to mock stars … even soon after their deaths.

“I wouldn’t talk about the money that I’m getting paid, or confidential information,” he says in response to topics that he wouldn’t mention in his stand-up shtick. “But, when it comes to Whitney Houston and topics of the day, that’s what folks want to hear about.”

The journeyman hasn’t always had susceptive crowds, as he’s had his ups-and-downs touring the U.S. and abroad. That doesn’t get Hamburger down, though.

“I’ve been doing this show for many years,” he says. “If you’ve got a problem with it, get some help quick.”

Kiss the Cook

Hamburger might be best known for his fast jabs at musicians, highlighted by ’90s rock band Smash Mouth, who he compares to Nickelback.

“I haven’t had a conversation with Smash Mouth and I hope to keep it that way. We did have a situation with Dane Cook, where he approached me in a bar in Montreal and expressed some concern at my jokes at his expense — [but also,] that he was a fan.”