We’ve all got that one mate that the rules don’t seem to apply to. Call them rebels, call them mavericks or call them crazy but here in Australia, we call them ‘loose units’.
Melbourne comedian Nick Cody knows all about loose units and will be investigating this fascinating sub-culture in his new stand-show ‘Loose Unit’.
“I’ll be talking about loose units, what it means to be a loose unit, examples of being a loose unit and stories where I’ve either been one myself or witnessed loose units. On top of that there’s a bunch of other stand-up,” Nick says.
So what exactly is a ‘loose unit’ and what sets them apart from the rest of us?
“To me it’s just someone that’s like the opposite of a stiff,” Nick explains, “where someone’s just uptight and no fun. A loose unit is someone that loves a drink, loves a prank, loves a laugh; just a loose unit. We all know what a loose unit is.
“My parents are high-level loose units, not as in they’re doing burnouts and things like that, but they’re the oldest loose units I’ve seen; late 50s early 60s, still playing pranks and still f****ing about.”
Nick says the best place to witness the antics of loose units is YouTube, which is simply filled with prime examples worth hours of enjoyment. However, he does say there is a line between being a loose unit and just outright stupidity.
“I like the loose where someone climbs a building with no ropes and you go ‘what the f*** are you doing? You are a loose unit’,” he says. “[In] ‘Jackass’ someone put the toy car up their arse or got a tattoo on their balls. To me, that’s loose but it’s not proper loose unit.
“You’ve got to live to tell the tale, that’s what makes you a loose unit – if you die or get sick doing the thing you’re doing then that’s a bit worse than a loose unit.”
In the show Nick will also be talking about the times in his life he himself has qualified for the title.
“I think the thing I used to get a lot for being a loose unit is drink-riding where I’d get drunk and ride my pushbike home, because you get some high speeds,’ he says.
“Hit the tram track and see how fast you can go while remaining in the tram track; eating a kebab while on the phone while on a bike at night, that’s quite a loose stint to pull off.”
Clearly a man well-versed on the culture and behaviour of loose units, Nick says his days of such shenanigans are behind him because, you know, he’s a mature adult now.
“I don’t drink-ride anymore because I’m the face of a beer [Carlton Dry] so I’m all about enjoy responsibly, which does go against my motto of ‘try and be loose unit’,” he laughs.
“I don’t know if I want to live the life of a full-time loose unit but it’s good to watch. Like people in a Red Bull wingsuit: I see what they’re doing and I can see it’s enjoyable, I just want no part of it.”
Nick Cody Tour Dates
6-11 March - Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival)15-17 March - Fowlers Live (Adelaide Fringe)
Fri 23 Mar - ANU School Of Music (Canberra Comedy Festival)
29 Mar-22 Apr - Victoria Hotel (Melbourne Comedy Festival)
27-29 Apr - State Theatre Centre Of WA (Perth Comedy Festival)
9-12 May - The Comedy Store (Sydney Comedy Festival)
