Feb 25 2008
Music on Mondays - Richard Cheese
I’m sure there are a lot of use who like cover music. Some of us find special joy in cover songs sung with an original twist.
Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine is a band that sings songs - not necessarily cover songs - songs that were originally written and sung by other artists. I say they aren’t cover songs because there’s such a humourous twist in these lounge style renditions, that it’s quite obvious that these songs are not being sung for the sake of being sung. This also isn’t a group that takes the songs and puts a whole new meaning to them, with new lyrics to beat, a la Weird Al. I hope you can all follow me. Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine sings these songs in the lounge music style.
You really have to have a sense of humor to appreciate Richard Cheese. Otherwise, you’re just not gonna get why Baby Got Back is so funny when it’s “swankified” (this is the term the band uses to describe what they do to the hits). Also, you really can’t be a prude. Part of the fun of a Richard Cheese concert is the way he “reaches out” to his audience - particularly the female members of the audience. It’s quite funny, actually. Here’s someone singing songs in the style of a washed up lounge lizard, who by definition is supposed to be a repulsive character but doesn’t quite get that. Richard Cheese takes the angle that he has a huge, female-centric fan club. At the concert that Boyfriend and I attended back in November, there was a CD sales table with two sign-sheets: Join Richard’s Mailing List, and one that said Women Who Want to Sleep With Dick.” What a kidder!
Now that I’ve inadequately described the genius that is Richard Cheese, check out this video:
Thanks for posting this clip. I’ve never heard of him before. I start my day with a smile!
Frogdancer, you’re welcome! I enjoy a good laugh in my music once in awhile. I’m not sure of the availability of his stuff in Oz, but if his MySpace doesn’t have downloads, try iTunes. I know the US version of Amazon will ship overseas, too. It’s fun to throw one of his CDs into the shuffle at a party and just see what happens when people hear it.