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{{Short description|American cover band}}
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{{multiple issues|
{{COI|date=February 2017}} {{COI|date=February 2017}}
{{refimprove|date=August 2017}} {{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}
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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians --> {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
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| website = {{URL|richardcheese.com}} | website = {{URL|richardcheese.com}}
| current_members = Richard Cheese (Mark Jonathan Davis)<br>Bobby Ricotta (Noel Melanio)<br>Frank Feta (Brian Fishler)<br>Billy Bleu (Ron Belcher) | current_members = Richard Cheese (Mark Jonathan Davis)<br>Bobby Ricotta (Noel Melanio)<br>Frank Feta (Brian Fishler)<br>Billy Bleu (Ron Belcher)
| past_members =
| past_members = David Adler<br>Christopher Monaco<br>Louis Allen<br>Todd LeValley<br>Chuck Byler<br>Jeff Novack<br>John Hatton<br>Skip Ward<br>Pablo Motta<br>Steve Jones<br>Michael Bordelon (current bass sub)
}} }}


'''Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine''' (or simply '''Richard Cheese''') is a ] and ], performing popular songs in a ]/swing style, reminiscent of ], ], and ]. Lounge singer Richard Cheese is a character created and portrayed by ]-based actor/comedian/singer Mark Jonathan Davis. '''Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine''' (or simply '''Richard Cheese''') is a ] and ], performing popular songs in a ]/swing style. Lounge singer Richard Cheese is a character created and portrayed by ]–based actor/comedian/singer Mark Jonathan Davis.


==History== ==History==
Davis developed the Richard Cheese lounge singer idea in the mid-1990s while working as a producer at ] in Los Angeles. Davis portrayed a character named "Paul the 55-Year-Old Intern" on the ] morning show, and Paul recorded a single called "Paul on 45", which was a humorous medley of KROQ songs arranged in a swing/big band style. Davis developed the Richard Cheese lounge singer idea in the mid-1990s.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} The band's work was first broadcast in 2000 by ] and the ] show.<ref name=":0" />


==Releases==
Davis pitched this idea as an album concept, and the band's debut album ''Richard Cheese: ]'' ("Featuring 16 Swingin' Covers of Alternative Standards") was released in 2000 by Oglio Records.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Turner|first1=Katherine|title=This is the Sound of Irony: Music, Politics and Popular Culture|date=March 3, 2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317010548|page=171|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ReCqCwAAQBAJ|access-date=18 August 2017}}</ref> Since 2000, Davis's Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine band has released 28 albums.
The band's debut album ''Lounge Against the Machine'' was released in 2000 by ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Turner|first1=Katherine|title=This is the Sound of Irony: Music, Politics and Popular Culture|date=March 3, 2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317010548|page=171|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ReCqCwAAQBAJ|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-date=20 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720130738/https://books.google.com/books?id=ReCqCwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> Cheese's second and third albums, ''Tuxicity'' and ''I'd Like a Virgin'' were independently released in 2002 and 2004 by Cheese's own label, Ideatown Entertainment (later renamed to Coverage Records).{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} From 2004 to 2006, ] released three Richard Cheese CDs: ''Aperitif for Destruction'', a studio album, ''Silent Nightclub'', a collection of songs tangentially related to the holiday season, and ''The Sunny Side of the Moon: The Best of Richard Cheese'', which included newly re-recorded versions of six covers plus three new covers. Surfdog also re-released the Richard Cheese albums ''Tuxicity'' and ''I'd Like a Virgin'' on their label.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}


Beginning in 2007, the band returned to releasing its own albums through its independent Coverage Records label: ''Dick at Nite'', ''Viva La Vodka: Richard Cheese Live'', ''OK Bartender'', ''A Lounge Supreme'', ''Live at the Royal Wedding'' and its companion behind-the-scenes album ''The Royal Baby Album'', ''Back in Black Tie'', and a Christmas album, ''Cocktails with Santa''.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} Cheese released a studio album on CD titled ''Licensed to Spill'' in 2017, and a greatest hits digital compilation titled ''Lord of the Swings: The Best of Richard Cheese, Volume 2'' in 2018. In 2019, the band released ''Richard Cheese's Big Swingin' Organ'', an album of instrumental organ versions of nine of their songs. Also, in 2019 it released a one-track parody album titled ''Richard Cheese: Live on Titan'' which satirized the ending of the motion picture '']''.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} A studio album titled ''Numbers Of The Beast'' was released digitally on July 31, 2020, and another studio album titled ''Big Cheese Energy'' was released digitally on February 26, 2021.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
Cheese's second and third albums ''Tuxicity'' and ''I'd Like a Virgin'' were independently released in 2002 and 2004 by Cheese's own label, Ideatown Entertainment (later renamed to Coverage Records).


Since 2000, Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine band has released 28 albums.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
From 2004–2006, Surfdog Records released three new Richard Cheese CDs: ''Aperitif for Destruction'', an all-new studio album, ''Silent Nightclub'', a collection of songs tangentially related to the holiday season, and ''The Sunny Side of the Moon: The Best of Richard Cheese'', which included newly re-recorded versions of six Richard Cheese classics plus three all-new covers. Surfdog also re-released the Richard Cheese albums ''Tuxicity'' and ''I'd Like a Virgin'' on their label in 2006.


==Film work==
Beginning in 2007, Cheese returned to releasing his own albums through his independent Coverage Records label, about one each year: ''Dick at Nite'', ''Viva La Vodka: Richard Cheese Live'', ''OK Bartender'', ''A Lounge Supreme'', ''Live at the Royal Wedding'' and its companion behind-the-scenes album ''The Royal Baby Album'', ''Back in Black Tie'', and a Christmas album, ''Cocktails with Santa''.
Richard Cheese's cover of ]'s "]" was featured in the 2004 ]-directed remake of '']''.<ref name="cheese-appearances">{{cite web |url=https://richardcheese.com/film--tv-appearances.html |title=Richard Cheese Film & TV Appearances |website=Richard Cheese Official Website |access-date=2 April 2024 |archive-date=25 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925181459/https://richardcheese.com/film--tv-appearances.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, the band had two songs in the motion picture '']'', and released a one-track parody album called ''Live at Wayne Financial Tower'' in which the band's performance is cut short by ]'s heat vision.<ref name="cheese-appearances"></ref> Warner Bros. hired the band to perform and appear as animated LEGO mini-figs in the 2017 film '']''.<ref name="cheese-appearances"></ref> In May 2021, Snyder's '']'' movie featured Richard Cheese singing the opening song "Viva Las Vegas" in a duet with Allison Crowe.<ref name="cheese-appearances"></ref>


The character of Richard Cheese appeared in the Kristen Wiig comedy '']'', released in February 2021..<ref name="cheese-appearances"></ref>
Cheese also produced an album in 2010 as Johnny Aloha called ''Lavapalooza'', with a band of ] musicians performing tiki-style versions of rock and rap songs. The album cover artwork was created by the artist ].

In late 2015, Cheese released 3 new CDs: a live album titled ''Bakin' at the Boulder'', a ] tribute called ''The Lounge Awakens: Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine Live at the Mos Eisley Spaceport Cantina'', and a new studio album ''Supermassive Black Tux''.

In 2016, because Richard Cheese sang two songs in the motion picture '']'', the band released a one-track parody album called ''Richard Cheese: Live at Wayne Financial Tower'' in which the band's performance is cut short by ]'s heat vision.

The Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine band released a new studio album on CD titled ''Licensed to Spill'' in 2017, and a greatest hits digital compilation titled ''Lord of the Swings: The Best of Richard Cheese, Volume 2'' in 2018. In 2019, the band released ''Richard Cheese's Big Swingin' Organ'', an album of instrumental organ versions of 9 of his songs. Also in 2019, Richard Cheese released a one-track parody album titled ''Richard Cheese: Live on Titan'' which satirized the ending of the motion picture '']''.

A new studio album titled ''Numbers Of The Beast'' was released digitally on July 31, 2020, and another new studio album titled ''Big Cheese Energy'' was released digitally on February 26, 2021.

The Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine band has toured extensively around the United States, and has played shows in England, Portugal, The Bahamas, and Canada.

The band is currently headlining regularly at ] in Las Vegas.

Richard Cheese's cover of ]'s "]" was featured in the 2004 ]-directed remake of '']''. Snyder also included Richard Cheese songs in his 2016 Warner Bros. film '']''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tilles|first1=Jay|title=How a Richard Cheese Song Made it into Batman V Superman|url=http://radio.com/2016/03/24/richard-cheese-batman-v-superman-song/|access-date=18 August 2017|date=March 24, 2016}}</ref>

Warner Bros. then hired the band to perform and appear as animated LEGO mini-figs in the 2017 film '']'', singing the song "Man in the Mirror" and performing an "elevator-music" version of "Everything Is Awesome".

Richard Cheese made his on-screen film acting debut in the Kristen Wiig comedy ''Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar'' released in February 2021.

Richard Cheese has made numerous television appearances, including performances on '']'', on ]'s '']'' for New Year's Eve, ] for a Las Vegas ] broadcast, '']'' on ], ]'s '']'' in England, and as the Vegas house band on ]'s '']'' and ]'s '']'' series.

Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine songs have been featured on ]'s '']'', ]'s '']'' series, and ]'s '']'' soap opera.
In April 2017, the band's swing cover of ]'s "]" was featured in the opening credits of "Crazy Whitefella Thinking," an episode of ]'s '']'' series.

Richard Cheese has been featured on radio morning shows and syndicated radio programs such as '']'', ]'s '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.


Davis is currently writing an autobiography about the band, titled ''Grateful: 21 Years Of Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine'' which is expected to be released in 2021.


==Band members== ==Band members==
The present line-up of the Lounge Against the Machine band consists of: As of 2015 the lineup of the Lounge Against The Machine band was:


* Richard Cheese – vocals * Richard Cheese – vocals
Line 75: Line 49:
* Billy Bleu – upright bass, bass * Billy Bleu – upright bass, bass


The names are all ]s that refer to types of cheese (], ], ]).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stapleton|first1=Susan|title=Cheese whiz Richard Cheese slices two sets in Las Vegas|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-shows-richard-cheese-20150202-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=18 August 2017|date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> The name Richard Cheese itself is a pun on "]", a slang term; "Lounge Against the Machine" is a reference to ]. The names are all ]s that refer to types of cheese (], ], ]).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=Stapleton|first1=Susan|title=Cheese whiz Richard Cheese slices two sets in Las Vegas|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-shows-richard-cheese-20150202-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=18 August 2017|date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818132317/http://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-shows-richard-cheese-20150202-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


The role of pianist and musical director Bobby Ricotta is currently played by Noel Melanio; previously the role was played by David Adler. The band's first drummer Buddy Gouda was played by Todd LaValley, and then by Charles Byler. Byler left the band in 2004; he was replaced by Brian Fishler and the drummer's stage name was changed to Frank Feta. The role of bass player Gordon Brie was first portrayed by Christopher Monaco. The current bass player, Billy Bleu, is portrayed by Ron Belcher. Other bassists who have performed with the band include Gus Seyffert, Skip Ward, Jeff Novack, Nathan Peck, Steve Jones, John Hatton, Louie Allen, Pablo Motta, and Michael Bordelon. The band has also worked with numerous ]s and performers, including horn players Cleto Escobedo III, Eric Jorgensen, Terry Landry, Lee Thornburg, and Bill Churchville, bassist ], guitarists ] and ], percussionist Joey DeLeon, ] player ], and singers ], ]'s ], and ]. The role of pianist and musical director Bobby Ricotta is currently{{When|date=July 2021}} played by Noel Melanio. The band's first drummer Buddy Gouda was played by Todd LaValley, and then by Charles Byler. Byler left the band in 2004; he was replaced by Brian Fishler and the drummer's stage name was changed to Frank Feta. The current bass player, Billy Bleu, is portrayed by Ron Belcher.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}


==Discography== ==Discography==
All self-released as Coverage Records except where noted.

===Studio albums and singles=== ===Studio albums and singles===
*'']'' (2000) (Oglio Records) *''Lounge Against the Machine'' (2000) (Oglio Records)<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|id=richard-cheese-mn0000851205|tab=discography|title=Richard Cheese discography}}</ref>
*'']'' (2002) (Surfdog Records (originally released by Ideatown/Coverage Records)) *''Tuxicity'' (2003) (Surfdog Records)<ref name="allmusic"/> {{efn|group=upper-alpha|originally released in 2002 by Ideatown/Coverage Records{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}}}
*'']'' (2004) (Surfdog Records (originally released by Ideatown/Coverage Records)) *''Aperitif for Destruction'' (2005) (Surfdog Records)<ref name="allmusic"/>
*'']'' (2005) (Surfdog Records) *''Silent Nightclub'' (2006) (Surfdog Records)<ref name="allmusic"/>
*''I'd Like a Virgin'' (2006) (Surfdog Records)<ref name="allmusic"/> {{efn|group=upper-alpha|originally released in 2004 by Ideatown/Coverage Records{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}}}
*'']'' (2006) (Surfdog Records)
*'']'' (2007) (Coverage Records) *''Dick at Nite'' (2007)<ref name="allmusic"/>
*''Viva la Vodka'' (2009)<ref name="allmusic"/>
*'']'' (2010) (Coverage Records)
*''OK Bartender''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2010)<ref name="chart-okb"/>
*''Johnny Aloha: Lavapalooza'' (2010) (as ''Richard Cheese presents Johnny Aloha'') (Coverage Records)
*''Lavapalooza''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2010){{citation needed|date=July 2021}} (as ''Richard Cheese presents Johnny Aloha'')
*''Live at the Royal Wedding'' (2011) (Coverage Records)
*''Richard Cheese: Live at the Royal Wedding''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2011){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''A Lounge Supreme'' (2011) (Coverage Records)
*''Cocktails with Santa''<ref name="allmusic"/>
*''Back in Black Tie'' (2012) (Coverage Records)
*''A Lounge Supreme''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2011){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''The Royal Baby Album'' (2013) (Coverage Records)
*''Back in Black Tie''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2012){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''Cocktails With Santa'' (2013) (Coverage Records)
*''The Lounge Awakens: Richard Cheese Live at the Mos Eisley Spaceport Cantina'' (2015) (Coverage Records) *''The Lounge Awakens''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2015){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''Supermassive Black Tux'' (2015) (Coverage Records) *''Supermassive Black Tux''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2015){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''Bakin' at the Boulder ''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2015){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''Richard Cheese Live at Wayne Financial Tower'' (2016) (Coverage Records)
*''Licensed to Spill'' (2017) (Coverage Records) *''Licensed to Spill''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2017){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''The Royal Baby Album''<ref name="allmusic"/>
*''Richard Cheese's Big Swingin' Organ!'' (2019) (Coverage Records)
*''Richard Cheese: Live on Titan'' (2019) (Coverage Records) *''Richard Cheese's Big Swingin' Organ!''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2019){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''Numbers Of The Beast'' (2020) (Coverage Records) *''Numbers of the Beast''<ref name="allmusic"/> (2020)<ref name="chart-notb"/>
*''Big Cheese Energy'' (2021) (Coverage Records) *''Big Cheese Energy'' (2021)<ref name="chart-bce"/>
*''Snappier Than Ever: The Original Songs'' (2021){{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
*''Besame Queso'' (2022){{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
*''Pussy Party'' (2022){{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
*''Live From Hollywood'' (2023){{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
*''Blue No Matter Who'' (2024)
{{notelist-ua}}


===Compilation albums=== ===Compilation albums===
*'']'' (2006) (Surfdog Records) *''The Sunny Side of the Moon: The Best of Richard Cheese'' (2006) (Surfdog Records)<ref name="allmusic"/>
*''Hail to the Cheese: Richard Cheese's All-American Greatest Hits'' (digital only) (2012) (Coverage Records) *''Hail to the Cheese: Richard Cheese's All-American Greatest Hits'' (digital only) (2012){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''Down With the Dickness: Richard Cheese's Dirtiest Greatest Hits'' (digital only) (2012) (Coverage Records) *''Down With the Dickness: Richard Cheese's Dirtiest Greatest Hits'' (digital only) (2012){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
*''Lord of the Swings: The Best of Richard Cheese, Volume 2'' (digital only) (2018) (Coverage Records) *''Lord of the Swings: The Best of Richard Cheese, Vol. 2'' (digital only)<ref name="allmusic"/> (2018){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}


===Live albums=== ===Film soundtracks===
*'']'' Down with the Sickness (2004, Universal)
*'']'' (2009) (Coverage Records)
*'']'' Night and Day, first meeting of Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent (2016, Warner Bros.)
*''Bakin' at the Boulder: Richard Cheese Live at the Boulder Theater'' (2015) (Coverage Records)

===Other album appearances===
*'']'' (2017, Warner Bros.) *'']'' (2017, Warner Bros.)
*'']'' Soundtrack (2021, Milan/Sony) *'']'' Soundtrack (2021, Milan/Sony)
*'']'' Soundtrack (2021, Milan/Sony)


==Charts== ==Charts==
*''The Sunny Side of the Moon'' – No. 9 on ''Billboard'' Comedy Album Chart, March 17, 2006<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=18 March 2006|title=Comedy Albums (week of March 18, 2006)|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2006-03-17|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711172716/https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2006-03-17|archive-date=2021-07-11|access-date=2021-07-09|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
*"The Sunny Side Of The Moon" - #9 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, March 17, 2006
*''OK Bartender'' – No. 15 on ''Billboard'' Comedy Album Chart, April 9, 2010<ref name="chart-okb">{{Cite magazine|date=10 April 2010|title=Comedy Albums (week of April 10, 2010)|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2010-04-09|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711040612/https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2010-04-09|archive-date=2021-07-11|access-date=2021-07-09|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
*"OK Bartender" - #15 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, April 9, 2010
*''Numbers of the Beast'' – No. 6 on ''Billboard'' Comedy Album Chart, August 15, 2020<ref name="chart-notb">{{Cite magazine|date=15 August 2020|title=Comedy Albums (week of August 15, 2020)|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2020-08-15|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713054325/https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2020-08-15|archive-date=2021-07-13|access-date=2021-07-09|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
*"Numbers Of The Beast" - #6 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, August 15, 2020
*''Big Cheese Energy'' – No. 10 on ''Billboard'' Comedy Album Chart, March 13, 2021<ref name="chart-bce">{{Cite magazine|date=13 March 2021|title=Comedy Albums (week of March 13, 2021)|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2021-03-13|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713054328/https://www.billboard.com/charts/comedy-albums/2021-03-13|archive-date=2021-07-13|access-date=2021-07-09|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
*"Big Cheese Energy" - #10 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, March 13, 2021



==Appearances==
===Live concerts===

Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine have played numerous concerts around the United States, as well as in Canada, Portugal, the Bahamas, and England. The band has performed at popular U.S. venues such as The Gramercy Theatre in New York City, Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco, Thalia Hall in Chicago, and many times at House of Blues venues around the United States. The band performed at Jack Black's ] in 2015, and at other festivals such as KROQ Acoustic Christmas in Los Angeles and Y100's Feztival in Philadelphia. The band's largest audience was at ] in England in 2011, when they performed for a crowd of 18,000. The band also performed at private events for singer ], ] drummer ], actress ], British talk show host ], the band ], director ], and as the house band for the Creative Arts Daytime Emmy Awards in 2004 and 2005.

Cheese still performs live concerts. His most recent live concert performance was in Las Vegas on March 6, 2020.

===Film===
*''The Comedy Team of Pete & James'' ("] (Is The Loneliest Number)") (2001)
*'']'' ("]") (2004)
*'']'' ("]", "]") (2016)
*'']'' ("]", "]") (2017)
*''Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar'' ("I Love Boobies") (2021)

===Television===
*] – ''Showbiz Today'' – Richard Cheese interview (2000)
*] – ''Say What Karaoke'' – performed as house band in Las Vegas
*] – '']'' (2001)
*] – ''] Morning Show'' (winter 2001 and fall 2002) (performed live on the streets of ])
*] – '']'' (May 2003 and May 2004) – performed as house band in Las Vegas
*] – '']'' (April 2004) (performed "]" and "]")
*] – '']'' Season 4, Episode 8 ("]") (2006)
*NBC – ''Passions'' (soap opera) (2006)
*CNN – '']'' – Richard Cheese performance in Las Vegas ('']'')
*] – '']'' (London) – performed as house band (November 2012)
*] – ''Tournament Challenge'' – performed as house band in Las Vegas (February 2017)
*] – '']'' Season 3, Episode 3: "Crazy Whitefella Thinking" ("Personal Jesus") (April 2017)

===Radio===
*'']'', ] (various dates, various songs)
*'']'' (various dates, various songs)
*'']'' (March 13, 2003)
*'']'' (June 17, 2005 and various other dates prior to 2005, performed "Shitdick" and other songs live)
*''The Jonathon Brandmeier Show'' (various dates, various songs)
*'']'', ] Tucson, AZ and ] Reno, NV (various dates, various songs)
*'']'' July 31, 2008; December 2, 2008
*''The Rod Ryan Show'' (various dates, various songs)
*'']'' (various dates, various songs)
*''] Show'' (March 9, 2006)
*Rock Comedy Channel, ] (syndicated 2002–2005)
*'']'' (various dates, various songs)

===Podcasts===
*'']'' (April 5, 2006) Richard Cheese interview
*''Club 301'' (November 30, 2006) Richard Cheese interview
*''Rebel Force Radio'' (March 5, 2021) Richard Cheese interview

===Other media===
*Richard Cheese collaborated with ] in ] for the film '']''.


==See also== ==See also==
*], an English comedy band who performed rock and heavy metal songs in a lounge music style.
*]
*], an American trio who performed punk rock songs in a lounge music style.
*]
*], an Australian jazz singer who recorded several big band arrangements of popular songs.


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links==
* {{Official website|1=http://www.richardcheese.com/}}

{{Richard Cheese}}
{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheese, Richard}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cheese, Richard}}
]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 14:03, 2 September 2024

American cover band
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Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine
Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine performing live in 2011Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine performing live in 2011
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2000–present
LabelsCoverage Records (current), Surfdog, Oglio
MembersRichard Cheese (Mark Jonathan Davis)
Bobby Ricotta (Noel Melanio)
Frank Feta (Brian Fishler)
Billy Bleu (Ron Belcher)
Websiterichardcheese.com

Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine (or simply Richard Cheese) is a cover band and comedy act, performing popular songs in a lounge/swing style. Lounge singer Richard Cheese is a character created and portrayed by Los Angeles–based actor/comedian/singer Mark Jonathan Davis.

History

Davis developed the Richard Cheese lounge singer idea in the mid-1990s. The band's work was first broadcast in 2000 by KROQ-FM and the Dr. Demento show.

Releases

The band's debut album Lounge Against the Machine was released in 2000 by Oglio Records. Cheese's second and third albums, Tuxicity and I'd Like a Virgin were independently released in 2002 and 2004 by Cheese's own label, Ideatown Entertainment (later renamed to Coverage Records). From 2004 to 2006, Surfdog Records released three Richard Cheese CDs: Aperitif for Destruction, a studio album, Silent Nightclub, a collection of songs tangentially related to the holiday season, and The Sunny Side of the Moon: The Best of Richard Cheese, which included newly re-recorded versions of six covers plus three new covers. Surfdog also re-released the Richard Cheese albums Tuxicity and I'd Like a Virgin on their label.

Beginning in 2007, the band returned to releasing its own albums through its independent Coverage Records label: Dick at Nite, Viva La Vodka: Richard Cheese Live, OK Bartender, A Lounge Supreme, Live at the Royal Wedding and its companion behind-the-scenes album The Royal Baby Album, Back in Black Tie, and a Christmas album, Cocktails with Santa. Cheese released a studio album on CD titled Licensed to Spill in 2017, and a greatest hits digital compilation titled Lord of the Swings: The Best of Richard Cheese, Volume 2 in 2018. In 2019, the band released Richard Cheese's Big Swingin' Organ, an album of instrumental organ versions of nine of their songs. Also, in 2019 it released a one-track parody album titled Richard Cheese: Live on Titan which satirized the ending of the motion picture Avengers: Infinity War. A studio album titled Numbers Of The Beast was released digitally on July 31, 2020, and another studio album titled Big Cheese Energy was released digitally on February 26, 2021.

Since 2000, Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine band has released 28 albums.

Film work

Richard Cheese's cover of Disturbed's "Down with the Sickness" was featured in the 2004 Zack Snyder-directed remake of Dawn of the Dead. In 2016, the band had two songs in the motion picture Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and released a one-track parody album called Live at Wayne Financial Tower in which the band's performance is cut short by Superman's heat vision. Warner Bros. hired the band to perform and appear as animated LEGO mini-figs in the 2017 film The Lego Batman Movie. In May 2021, Snyder's Army of the Dead movie featured Richard Cheese singing the opening song "Viva Las Vegas" in a duet with Allison Crowe.

The character of Richard Cheese appeared in the Kristen Wiig comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, released in February 2021..

Band members

As of 2015 the lineup of the Lounge Against The Machine band was:

  • Richard Cheese – vocals
  • Bobby Ricotta – piano, keyboards
  • Frank Feta – drums, percussion
  • Billy Bleu – upright bass, bass

The names are all pseudonyms that refer to types of cheese (ricotta, feta, bleu).

The role of pianist and musical director Bobby Ricotta is currently played by Noel Melanio. The band's first drummer Buddy Gouda was played by Todd LaValley, and then by Charles Byler. Byler left the band in 2004; he was replaced by Brian Fishler and the drummer's stage name was changed to Frank Feta. The current bass player, Billy Bleu, is portrayed by Ron Belcher.

Discography

All self-released as Coverage Records except where noted.

Studio albums and singles

  • Lounge Against the Machine (2000) (Oglio Records)
  • Tuxicity (2003) (Surfdog Records)
  • Aperitif for Destruction (2005) (Surfdog Records)
  • Silent Nightclub (2006) (Surfdog Records)
  • I'd Like a Virgin (2006) (Surfdog Records)
  • Dick at Nite (2007)
  • Viva la Vodka (2009)
  • OK Bartender (2010)
  • Lavapalooza (2010) (as Richard Cheese presents Johnny Aloha)
  • Richard Cheese: Live at the Royal Wedding (2011)
  • Cocktails with Santa
  • A Lounge Supreme (2011)
  • Back in Black Tie (2012)
  • The Lounge Awakens (2015)
  • Supermassive Black Tux (2015)
  • Bakin' at the Boulder (2015)
  • Licensed to Spill (2017)
  • The Royal Baby Album
  • Richard Cheese's Big Swingin' Organ! (2019)
  • Numbers of the Beast (2020)
  • Big Cheese Energy (2021)
  • Snappier Than Ever: The Original Songs (2021)
  • Besame Queso (2022)
  • Pussy Party (2022)
  • Live From Hollywood (2023)
  • Blue No Matter Who (2024)
  1. originally released in 2002 by Ideatown/Coverage Records
  2. originally released in 2004 by Ideatown/Coverage Records

Compilation albums

  • The Sunny Side of the Moon: The Best of Richard Cheese (2006) (Surfdog Records)
  • Hail to the Cheese: Richard Cheese's All-American Greatest Hits (digital only) (2012)
  • Down With the Dickness: Richard Cheese's Dirtiest Greatest Hits (digital only) (2012)
  • Lord of the Swings: The Best of Richard Cheese, Vol. 2 (digital only) (2018)

Film soundtracks

Charts

  • The Sunny Side of the Moon – No. 9 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, March 17, 2006
  • OK Bartender – No. 15 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, April 9, 2010
  • Numbers of the Beast – No. 6 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, August 15, 2020
  • Big Cheese Energy – No. 10 on Billboard Comedy Album Chart, March 13, 2021

See also

  • The Lounge Kittens, an English comedy band who performed rock and heavy metal songs in a lounge music style.
  • Black Velvet Flag, an American trio who performed punk rock songs in a lounge music style.
  • Frank Bennett, an Australian jazz singer who recorded several big band arrangements of popular songs.

References

  1. ^ Stapleton, Susan (February 3, 2015). "Cheese whiz Richard Cheese slices two sets in Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  2. Turner, Katherine (March 3, 2016). This is the Sound of Irony: Music, Politics and Popular Culture. Routledge. p. 171. ISBN 9781317010548. Archived from the original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Richard Cheese Film & TV Appearances". Richard Cheese Official Website. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  4. ^ Richard Cheese discography at AllMusic
  5. ^ "Comedy Albums (week of April 10, 2010)". Billboard. 10 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  6. ^ "Comedy Albums (week of August 15, 2020)". Billboard. 15 August 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  7. ^ "Comedy Albums (week of March 13, 2021)". Billboard. 13 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  8. "Comedy Albums (week of March 18, 2006)". Billboard. 18 March 2006. Archived from the original on 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
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