Meet Joe Bando | Stand-up Comedian & Personal Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Bando and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I didn’t choose a creative life—comedy was the only thing that ever truly made sense to me. From as far back as I can remember, humor was my survival mechanism, my rebellion, and my refuge. I grew up in a violent, chaotic household in Cleveland, where laughter was the only form of control I had. My parents were abusive—physically and emotionally—and in a home where I never felt safe, comedy became my escape. As a kid, I’d listen to standup tapes under my covers at night, my Walkman serving as my only connection to a world beyond my circumstances. I studied the rhythm of jokes, the way comics shaped their stories, the timing, the punchlines. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was training myself for this life before I ever stepped on stage.

I’ve always had an outlaw mentality—I don’t fit into traditional structures, never have. I dropped out of high school after fighting a Nazi skinhead who pulled a knife on me, and from there, I carved my own path. I spent years bouncing between jobs—garbage man, factory worker, ice cream man, landscaper, restaurant gigs—nothing ever stuck because I never felt like I belonged in any of it. I fronted a hardcore metal band in Cleveland, screaming my guts out in underground venues, pouring my rage into music. But when that band fell apart, I watched my guitarist go on to massive success, and I was left wondering if I’d ever find my own way.

Standup didn’t come until later in life. I spent years grinding, building a successful security company from nothing, leading 240 employees, and pulling in millions in revenue. But even then, I felt like I was living someone else’s life. I had all the external markers of success, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t on the right path. Then I sold the business in 2019 and jumped headfirst into standup.

Comedy, for me, isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about telling the truth. It’s about taking everything dark, chaotic, and painful in my life and spinning it into something people can relate to. I don’t do safe, polished, crowd-pleasing material—I go into the places people are afraid to go, because that’s where I come from. I talk about the struggles, the pain, the absurdity of life, and I do it unapologetically. That’s what comedy is supposed to be—raw, real, fearless.

My path in standup hasn’t been traditional. I didn’t start young, I wasn’t the guy grinding open mics at 18, but that’s exactly what makes me stand out. I bring a life’s worth of experience to the stage—fatherhood, loss, business, personal transformation, years of being a fighter, a misfit, an outsider. I’ve performed in underground comedy scenes, in clubs across the country, on big stages and in back-alley mics during the pandemic when everything shut down and real comics refused to stop. I co-founded my own club in 2019, only to have it ripped away by COVID lockdowns, but instead of quitting, I went deeper underground. Comedy became a punk rock rebellion, and I thrived in it.

This isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. I don’t just want to be another comic, I want to be undeniable. I want to bring light to the dark, make people uncomfortable, challenge ideas, and remind audiences why comedy matters. This is the only thing I’ve ever done that feels like it was built for me. Comedy isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My Art: Stand-Up Comedy as Truth, Rebellion, and Resilience

My art is stand-up comedy, but it’s more than just jokes—it’s raw, unfiltered storytelling, a rebellion against the sanitized, politically correct world we live in. I don’t do safe, watered-down material. I take the darkest, most chaotic parts of my life and spin them into something real, something funny as hell but also honest. My comedy is about finding light in the darkest places, calling out hypocrisy, and saying what people are thinking but are too afraid to say out loud. That’s what sets me apart—I’m unapologetic, fearless, and rooted in real-life experience.

What I’m Most Proud of & How I Got Here

I started comedy later in life, but I didn’t come in as some wide-eyed open micer—I came in with a life’s worth of stories, experiences, and scars that made me different from the start. I grew up in a brutal household, survived violence and abuse, fought my way through poverty, dropped out of high school, worked every hard labor job you can think of, fronted a hardcore metal band, built a multi-million-dollar security business, and lost everything when COVID lockdowns wiped out my club, Therapeutic Noise, in 2020.

I could have quit. But instead, I went deeper into the underground comedy world, performing anywhere I could—parking lots, beaches, backyards, anywhere that wouldn’t shut us down. That’s what I’m most proud of—I didn’t let the world dictate when I could be a comedian. I made it happen on my terms.

Since then, I’ve performed in clubs across the country, worked with major headliners like T.J. Miller, Adam Ray, Dean Delray, Jeff Garcia, and Paul Rodriguez, featured for Keith Reza, and was cast in the Daily Wire’s controversial documentary, Am I Racist?, which put me in front of a national audience. That role, along with my relentless grind on stage, has started getting me recognized in clubs and comedy circles, giving me the momentum I’ve been building toward.

The Challenges & Lessons I’ve Learned

It hasn’t been easy. Comedy is brutal, and I’ve had to fight for everything I’ve gotten. The biggest challenges?

• Not playing the Hollywood game. I’m not a woke, clout-chasing comedian. I don’t kiss ass, and I don’t censor myself to fit the industry’s mold. That’s made my path harder, but I’d rather take the long road than sell out.

• Navigating financial struggles while chasing this dream. I lost nearly $400K due to COVID, and I’ve had to hustle—Uber driving, personal training, producing shows—just to keep going. But that’s also what makes me different: I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this dream a reality.

• Finding my own lane in comedy. I don’t fit neatly into a box. I’m not an alt-comic, I’m not a club hack, and I’m not trying to be TikTok-famous. I’m building something real, something that lasts.

What I Want the World to Know About Me & My Brand

I’m not just another comedian—I’m a force in the making. I’ve built my life and my career on being relentless, staying true to myself, and refusing to quit when the world tells me to. My brand is outlaw energy—not just in the comedy sense, but in life. I take risks, I tell the truth, and I don’t back down.

Moving forward, I’m focusing on:

✔ Refining my material to solidify my position as a headliner.

✔ Exploring MC and hosting opportunities for motorcycle rallies, biker events, and speaking gigs.

✔ Continuing to build my name as a stand-up comedian, not through social media hype, but by being undeniable on stage.

I want people to look back and say, “Bando didn’t take the easy road, but he made it on his terms.” That’s what I’m here for—to make people laugh, challenge the status quo, and prove that authenticity beats the algorithm every time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles for a week, we’d do it right—great food, killer coffee, top-tier comedy, and ripping down Pacific Coast Highway on Harleys from San Diego to Malibu, taking in the ocean air and the freedom of the open road. Mornings would start with strong black coffee, hitting up Horror Vibes Coffee in North Hollywood for its horror-themed atmosphere, kiff kafe for hand-roasted beans, and Verve Coffee Roasters for that third-wave coffee experience. Food would be all about high-end steaks and legit barbecue—we’d hit Mozambique in Laguna Beach for unparalleled service and rooftop dining overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Mastro’s Ocean Club in Newport Beach for a high-end surf-and-turf dinner with ocean views, and Driftwood Kitchen for a casual vibe on the beach with ridiculously high quality seafood selections. . Of course, Carney’s would be a must for their legendary burgers and hot dogs straight out of a classic train car, and Canter’s Deli would be a perfect late-night stop, with its old-school Jewish deli energy and a pastrami sandwich that never disappoints.

Comedy would be non-negotiable. We’d spend our nights bouncing between The Comedy Store, the absolute Mecca of stand-up, where legends and drop-ins make every night unpredictable, The Laugh Factory, where the energy is always electric, and The Hollywood Improv, where the mix of big names and underground killers makes for an insane night. Since I respect the underground, we’d hit Fourth Wall Comedy Café for raw, unfiltered sets, then roll over to The Ha Ha Comedy Club and The Comedy Chateau in North Hollywood, where the up-and-coming scene is just as exciting as the established acts.

And because the beach is where I reset, we’d make sure to hit Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach, soaking in the sun and ocean breeze between nights of eating too much, laughing too hard, and living full throttle. And if it’s my best friend, we’re absolutely ripping Harleys up and down the coast, making the run from San Diego to Malibu, stopping at beach bars, roadside diners, and taking in the kind of California ride that makes you never want to go back home. That’s how I’d show someone the real LA—fast bikes, strong coffee, high-end steaks, insane comedy, and the kind of unforgettable, wide-open adventure you don’t get anywhere else.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to My Wife, Amanda – The Real Backbone of My Success

If there’s one person who deserves the most credit in my journey, it’s my wife, Amanda. She is, without a doubt, the most brilliant, supportive, and unshakably loyal person in my life. Comedy is a brutal business—it’s unpredictable, full of highs and lows, and requires an insane level of persistence, sacrifice, and self-belief. But through it all, Amanda has been my rock.

She’s not just my wife—she’s a clinical psychologist, a healer, and a powerhouse in her own right. Every day, she helps people navigate their deepest struggles, guiding them toward self-awareness and transformation. And in so many ways, she’s done the same for me. She’s helped me see my own blind spots, refine my mindset, and push through the moments when doubt creeps in. She’s the one who reminds me who I am when the industry tries to convince me otherwise.

Amanda doesn’t just tolerate my comedy career—she believes in it as much as I do. She’s been there through every late-night set, every road trip, every moment of frustration when things weren’t moving fast enough. She listens to my bits, gives me honest feedback, and encourages me to be even more fearless on stage. When I’m questioning a move, she’s the one saying, “Go for it.” She knows that what I do isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about truth, about pushing boundaries, about leaving a real mark in this world. And she’s never once asked me to play it safe.

Beyond all that, Amanda is the reason I even have the mental clarity, emotional stability, and confidence to keep chasing this dream. She’s helped me heal parts of myself I didn’t even realize were still broken. She’s the most brilliant, insightful, and compassionate person I’ve ever met, and she’s taught me that real strength isn’t just about pushing forward—it’s about having someone who truly has your back.

In an industry that can feel isolating, where success is never guaranteed, having Amanda in my corner is the ultimate advantage. She deserves all the credit in the world, not just for supporting me but for being the kind of woman who makes me want to be better in every aspect of life.

So if I have to give a shoutout to anyone, it’s not even a question—it’s her. She’s the real MVP in my story.

Website: https://www.bandotalks.com

Instagram: @joebandocomedy

Twitter: @joebando10

Facebook: Joe Bando

Youtube: @joebandocomedy

Image Credits
Troy Conrad