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.[2]
History
Since 2000, the band has released nine 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 gained exposure after their cover of Disturbed's "Down With the Sickness" was featured in the 2004 remake, Dawn of the Dead.
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,[2] 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 that refer to types of cheese (Ricotta, Feta, Bleu) 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. He is also known for his tiger-striped jacket, which is featured in many of the band's album covers.
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 (2010)
Lavapalooza (2010 – projected August 2010) (as Richard Cheese presents Johnny Aloha)[3]
Back in Black Tie (2010 – projected)[citation needed]
A Lounge Supreme (2011 – projected)[citation needed]
Singles
"Indiana Jones Theme" (a.k.a. "The Raiders March") (2008)
Unreleased songs
"One Is The Loneliest Number" (Harry Nilsson) (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)
"Hash Pipe" (Weezer) (unreleased studio recording)
"Elevation" (U2) (unreleased radio recording)
"Renegades of Funk" (Rage Against The Machine) (unreleased live recording)
"Star Wars Cantina (Copacabana)" (Barry Manilow) (unreleased live recording)
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, 2005and various other dates prior to 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
References
^ Richard Cheese at the Internet Movie Database
^ a b c Joe Brown (2008-08-21). "Meet Richard Cheese: He’ll grate on you, make you laugh and sing along". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
^ http://www.richardcheese.com/rchome.html
BEAT IT
Cheese Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't wanna see your face you better disappear
The fires in their eyes and their words aren't really clear
Just beat it....
Just beat it....
You better run you better do what you can...
You wanna be tough better do what you can...
So beat it...
But you wanna be bad...
Come on children!
Just beat it! (Beat it!)
Beat it! (Beat it!)
No one wants to be defeated!
Show em how funky and strong is your fight!
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right!
Just beat it...
Just beat it...
Just.... beat it...
The lyrics of the song "Beat It" by Michael Jackson describe a situation where the singer is being told to leave a violent situation. The opening lines, "They told him don't you ever come around here, Don't wanna see your face you better disappear," indicate that the singer is not welcome in a certain area. The next line, "The fires in their eyes and their words aren't really clear," suggest that the singer is encountering violent individuals whose intentions are unclear.
In the next verse, the singer advises the singer to leave the situation as quickly as possible, saying "You better run you better do what you can... Don't wanna see no blood don't be macho man... You wanna be tough better do what you can..." Here, the singer is advising the singer to do whatever it takes to leave the situation, even if it means not standing up for oneself.
The chorus of the song, "Just beat it... Just beat it... Just.... beat it..." instructs the singer to leave the situation without getting involved in the conflict. The chant-like repetition of the lyrics emphasizes the importance of acting on this advice. The final lines, "No one wants to be defeated! Show em how funky and strong is your fight! It doesn't matter who's wrong or right!" speaks to the message of the song, which is to avoid violence and conflict altogether.
Line by Line Meaning
They told him don't you ever come around here
He was warned to stay away from this place
Don't wanna see your face you better disappear
They don't want to see him here and want him to go away
The fires in their eyes and their words aren't really clear
Their expressions and words are unclear but seem threatening
Just beat it....
The best thing for him to do is leave quickly
You better run you better do what you can...
He should run away and try his best to get out of there
Don't wanna see no blood don't be macho man...
They don't want a fight and he shouldn't try to act tough
You wanna be tough better do what you can...
If he wants to be tough he should do his best to leave quickly
So beat it...
He should go away and not look back
But you wanna be bad...
He may want to act tough and rebellious, but it's not worth it
Come on children!
Hey everyone!
Just beat it! (Beat it!)
Everyone should leave and not fight
Beat it! (Beat it!)
Leave as fast as you can
No one wants to be defeated!
No one wants to lose or be hurt
Show em how funky and strong is your fight!
If you have to fight, show them how strong and determined you are
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right!
It's not about winning an argument, it's about staying safe
Just beat it...
Leave and don't fight, it's not worth it
Just beat it...
Leave and don't fight, it's not worth it
Just.... beat it...
Leave quickly and don't look back
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind