From The 'Ghettos Of Wollongong' To Edinburgh

Rising comedian and social media phenom, Frenchy (aka Ben French) isn’t sure if he should “apologise”. Year 12 students have told him that his YouTube channel SungaAttack, which has over 100, 000 subscribers, is a major distraction with its hilarious series, such as Around Girlfriend Vs Around Mates. “They’re like, ‘Ohhh, I’m supposed to be studying, but I watched all your videos,’” French says.

French, who originates from the “ghettos of Wollongong” in New South Wales but currently lives in Sydney, launched his cult digital hub in 2013. He’d recruit “mates” (“absolute legends!”) as SungaAttack’s extras. “They love being in it now ‘cause they get a little bit of nightclub fame sometimes.” In fact, French headed to Sydney to study film – and to be closer to the stand-up circuit. But, while you can take the boy out of Wollongong, you can’t take Wollongong out of the boy. French is inspired by rap superstar Iggy Azalea, who burst straight outta Mullumbimby. “Mullumbimby’s cool now, I know – it’s a sick name, too. That’s what I’m gonna do with Wollongong, hopefully – make Wollongong cool again.”

The comedian’s touring live show, Live And Lanky, its theme dudes messing around, has its share of improv beyond his “base jokes”. “What I realised is that some people will come twice and three times to the same show – and I’m like, I don’t want them to get the exact same show every time. So I always talk to the audience – always. Sometimes it goes for ten minutes, sometimes longer [laughs]. I just get lost in the world of whoever’s in the front row. It’s really fun. That’s often [the source of] my best jokes, [I] just muck around with the audience, ‘cause that’s always different. You’ll always get some characters or some drunk girls or just people who throw dildos on stage.” Punters will also hear songs from the SungaAttack band, French joined by Zach Gervaise, frontman of The Maze: the one with “the actual musical skills”. “I just make sure it’s funny, pretty much,” he says.

As it turns out, French has “quit” his film studies. “I was like, I don’t need a degree – that’s not gonna help me get a job. I think your body of work helps you get a job, not your piece of paper.” In case any TV execs are reading, he aspires to parlay the success of SungaAttack into a program. In the interim, French, whose 2014 Sydney Fringe Comedy gigs sold out, is all about stand-up. “This is my first big tour, so that’s why I’m very excited – I’ve got my best jokes ready for it.” And he’s working towards an overseas jaunt. “This year I’m hopefully going to Edinburgh, which will be cool.”