Richard Cheese
(born Mark Jonathan Davis
) [1] fronts Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine
, a cover band and comedy act based in Los Angeles, California. Lounge singer Richard Cheese performs popular rock, rap, heavy metal, and pop songs in a swanky lounge music swing band style reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennett. The band's name Lounge Against The Machine is a parody of the band name Rage Against the Machine.
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RICHARD CHEESE & LOUNGE AGAINST THE MACHINE TICKETS
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Style
The band specializes in playing
lounge-style covers of recent popular
rock,
metal,
rap and
hip hop songs, sung in a croony traditional pop vocal style, contrasting an elegant jazz treatment of the music with often profane and ribald lyrics to create a humorous dissonance.
History
Since 2000, the band has released eight albums, and played in concerts around the
United States, two concerts in
Europe, and has made numerous television appearances, including performances on
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
,
Fox & Friends
on
Fox News Channel,
Anderson Cooper 360°
on
CNN,
NBC's
Las Vegas
series,
NBC's
Passions
soap opera, and as the house band on
NBC's
Last Call with Carson Daly
and
MTV's
Say What? Karaoke
series. Richard Cheese has also been featured on radio morning shows and syndicated radio programs such as
Opie and Anthony,
The Howard Stern Show,
Kevin and Bean,
Bob and Sheri, and
The Adam Carolla Show. The band also performed at events for singer
Brian Setzer, drummer
Travis Barker, director
Zack Snyder, and the Creative Arts Daytime Emmy Awards.
The band is currently in the midst of their 2009 "Martini Hero" farewell tour, after the conclusion of which they have announced they will no longer tour outside of
Las Vegas.
[2] Cheese has indicated that the decision to suspend extensive touring with his Lounge Against The Machine band was based on health concerns relating to the condition of his vocal cords, his desire to spend more time in the recording studio,
and because he is looking forward to new live performances of new material (from his forthcoming albums) with new musicians and band configurations. According to the band's website, Cheese will be occasionally performing with a band of Hawaiian musicians in support of his forthcoming 2010 "Lavapalooza" exotica album.
Members
The present line-up of the band consists of:
- Richard Cheese: vocals
- Bobby Ricotta: piano and keyboards
- Frank Feta: drums and percussion
- Billy Bleu: bass
Plus a rotating roster of other bass players, including 'Deep' Gordon Brie, Skip Neufchatal, Nacho, and Wayne String.
The names are all
pseudonyms, and new band members either adopt the pseudonym of the player they replace, or new names are developed.
The role of pianist and musical director Bobby Ricotta is currently played by Noel Melanio, but was previously played by David Adler. When the drummer Buddy Gouda (Charles Byler) left the band in 2004, he was replaced by Brian Fishler and the stage name was changed to Frank Feta. The role of bass player Gordon Brie was played by Louis Allen and was previously portrayed by Christopher Monaco. The band currently has no permanent bass player. The band has also worked with numerous session musicians and performers, including horn players Eric Jorgensen, Terry Landry and Lee Thornburg,
theremin player
Pamelia Kurstin, vocalist
Joshua Path, and singer
"Weird Al" Yankovic. The only constant band member is Cheese himself.
Cheese's pseudonym is a reference to
smegma, as Richard can be shortened to Dick, making his name "dick cheese". It is also a reference to retro "cheesy" lounge music.
Discography
Studio albums
- Lounge Against the Machine
(2000)
- Tuxicity
(2002)
- I'd Like a Virgin
(2004)
- Aperitif for Destruction
(2005)
- The Sunny Side of the Moon: The Best of Richard Cheese
(2006)
- Silent Nightclub
(2006)
- Dick at Nite
(2007)
- Viva la Vodka
(2009)
- OK Bartender
(2009 - projected)
- Lavapalooza
(2010 - projected)
- Back in Black Tie
(2010 - projected)
- A Lounge Supreme
(2011 - projected)
Singles
- "Indiana Jones Theme" (a.k.a. "The Raiders March") (2008)
Unreleased songs
- "One Is The Loneliest Number" (Three Dog Night) (from the soundtrack of the film "The Comedy Team Of Pete & James")
- "Come Dancing" (The Kinks) (unreleased studio recording)
- "Shitdick" (People Haters) (live on Opie & Anthony Show)
Appearances
Television
- CNN Showbiz Today - Richard Cheese interview (2000)
- Last Call with Carson Daly
- Fox News Channel - Fox & Friends Morning Show (fall 2002) (performed "Baby Got Back" live on the streets of New York City)
- VH1's Rock & Roll Jeopardy! (2001-2002)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live (April 2004) (performed "Baby Got Back" and "Personal Jesus")
- NBC's Las Vegas ("Christmas in Las Vegas")
- CNN Anderson Cooper 360 - Richard Cheese performance in Las Vegas (New Year's Eve 2007)
Radio
- KROQ Kevin and Bean (various dates, various songs)
- The Dr. Demento Show (various dates, various songs)
- The Howard Stern Show (March 13, 2003)
- The Opie & Anthony Show (June 17, 2005, performed "Shitdick" and other songs live)
- The Jonathon Brandmeier Show (various dates, various songs)
- The Frank Show, KFMA Tucson, AZ and KDOT Reno, NV (various dates, various songs)
- The Adam Carolla Show July 31, 2008; December 2, 2008
- The Johnny Dare Show Morning Show (various dates, various songs)
- The Rod Ryan Show (various dates, various songs)
- Rick Emerson Show (various dates, various songs)
- Tommy & Rumble Show (March 9, 2006)
- Premiere Radio Networks Rock Comedy Channel (syndicated 2002-2005)
Film
- Dawn of the Dead
("Down with the Sickness")
Podcasts
- Coverville (April 5, 2006) Richard Cheese interview
- Club 301 (November 30, 2006) Richard Cheese interview and music selections from "Silent Nightclub"
Other media
- Richard Cheese collaborated with Michael J. Nelson in the RiffTrax for the movie Ocean's Eleven
See also
- The Mike Flowers Pops
- Frank Bennett
- Bill Murray
References
- {{imdb |0205104}}
- Meet Richard Cheese: He’ll grate on you, make you laugh and sing along