‘Everyone thought I was crazy when I quit my 9-5 job’
JOHNNY McMahon, top left, known better as Johnny Smacks, is one half of the Tipperary comedy duo The 2 Johnnies. The pair are well known for their comedy sketches and songs which capture the uniquely funny side of all things Irish. Johnny O’Brien, known as Johnny B, is the other half of the duo. Over the past year and a half, The 2 Johnnies have performed in Ireland, the UK, USA and United Arab Emirates. Their YouTube channel has had more than eight million views.
The duo’s Get Loose nationwide tour kicked off at the start of this month and runs until late April. Tickets are on sale through www. ticketmaster.ie and local venues nationwide. What’s the most important lesson about money which your career as a comedian has taught you? At the start you will have none, but the harder you work, the more money you will hopefully have. What’s the most expensive country you ever visited? Possibly the United States. Tipping bar staff can prove costly in the long run. What’s the best advice you ever got about money? My granny used to always say that money isn’t everything, and that it will come and go. What’s your favourite Irish coin? The old 50p was a cool coin — a bit out of the ordinary, like ourselves. I liked that I could get two games of Street Fighter out of the 50p coin in the local arcade. Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Definitely my car. I spend around 70pc of my time in it so I had to spend someway big — purely for comfort, not to just look cool. What was your worst job? I used to work in a bacon factory. I disliked every aspect of the work — the smell, the blood and the canteen. What was your biggest financial mistake? I haven’t made many mistakes thankfully, but I’m easily influenced —after watching the ‘Dr Dre’ documentary, I immediately spent more than I should have on headphones. What was your best financial killing? Quitting my 9-5 job. I guess everyone thought I was crazy at the time, not least my mother — but she got a ham for Christmas so we’re all winning. If you won the EuroMillions, what would you do with the money? Buy a hot tub. Possibly live the rest of my life in a hotel. I’d also set up a charity and help retired GAA players who are struggling. Your favourite song or tune about money? Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond. iTunes or Spotify? I’d be a Spotify man, although I am tempted to buy a record player. I’m weighing up my options because my friends will slag me about becoming a hipster if they see me with a record player. What was the last thing you bought online? Flights to Liverpool for the last weekend of the Premier League. Would you buy Irish property now? I haven’t time to be buying a house — I barely stay in the one I have. When I’m planning my retirement, I’ll buy a nice property abroad in Lanzarote. Are you a spender or a saver? I’ve never been great to save but recently I’ve been getting better. You need a bit for a rainy day — it’s always raining in Tipperary though. What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt? Eating out — as I hate doing the washing up. Buying trainers — I like to have a good few pairs on the go at the same time. Holidays — you need the break, and the cheap sangria.