A true Lounge lizard
After nearly a decade of “swankifying’’ popular songs on such albums as “Aperitif for Destruction’’ and “I’d Like a Virgin’’ with his band, Lounge Against the Machine, Richard Cheese is hanging up his tiger-striped tuxedo.
The swellegant singer isn’t abandoning the lounge lizard life entirely, though. After the band completes its “Martini Hero’’ Farewell Tour, which hits the House of Blues on Wednesday, Cheese will continue to record - including the upcoming Hawaiian-themed “OK Bartender’’ - and is working on a feature film called “A Lounge Supreme.’’ He also says the occasional Sin City gig is an option to keep things fresh.
“The great thing about what we do is there are always great new songs out that really need that swankification. Songs where you say, ‘oh, well there’s another brand new standard that’s going to be around for 20 years.’ A song like ‘Smack That’ by Akon. What a beautiful love song that is.’’
We caught up with Cheese last week by phone from, where else? - Vegas, baby.
Q. Since this is your farewell tour, the obvious question is: When is the comeback tour?
A. Honestly, we’ve been doing this farewell tour for a couple of years, just to get all the cities in. Now this is really it, because I want to put the tiger-striped tuxedo away and work on the new Hawaiian album.
Q. So the new music will be in the same family but more . . . tropical?
A. Yeah, and different musicians and different arrangements and a different kind of show. It’s still going to be just as good, primarily depending on how much alcohol you’ve had.
Q. Do you have a recommended amount?
A. Whatever it takes.
Q. Do you feel that the machine has been adequately lounged against?
A. That’s a really good question. And I think the answer is yes, because I’m a big supporter of President Obama and I think things have certainly improved in the last eight months. I’m very excited about what’s happening now, and I’m very glad that we in some way contributed to overthrowing the Bush regime. I don’t know how we did it, but I take full credit for it. Honestly, I think there’s always going to be a machine to lounge against. I’m not stopping my fight - I’m just taking a break. When someone flashes that giant martini signal in the sky, we’ll be back. 