The Chee-Weez

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The Chee-Weez
The Chee-Weez performing at a sold out show at House of Blues New Orleans on June 23, 2007.
The Chee-Weez performing at a sold out show at House of Blues New Orleans on June 23, 2007.
Background information
Origin Flag of the United StatesNew Orleans, Louisiana
Genre(s) Rock, Country, Disco
Years active 1997 — present
Label(s) unsigned
Website http://www.cheeweez.com/
Members
Kris LaCoste
Matt Richard
Dan Dicharry
Joey Mangiapane
Mark Hebert
Brandon Foret
Former members
Alan Calegan (1997–1998)
Nick Calligaro (1997–2001)
Steve Marse (1997–2003)
Rob Pourciau (1997–2004)

The Chee-Weez is a New Orleans, Louisiana area cover band that was formed in 1997 by Kris LaCoste shortly after parting ways with his previous cover band "Black Diamond". After Kris left, its remaining members went on to form Tom's House and played original music until they disbanded just prior to Hurricane Katrina. The Chee-Weez originally covered only Disco tunes but now has branched out and evolved to a variety of music genres from the 1970s to today. The band's famous "trademark" gesture is "showing the love" to mature audiences by flipping the finger. The audience promptly reciprocates "the love" to the band members. Another feature at almost every show is the costumes that the band members wear which is in constant rotation and changes. Past and present themes include disco garb, patriotic themes, various superheroes, Blue Man Group, New Orleans Hornets jerseys, LSU Tigers football jerseys, New Orleans Saints jerseys, The Blues Brothers, Mickey Mouse Club, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Top Gun flight suits, World War II style Army gear and GEICO Cavemen.

Contents

[edit] Band members

The band currently comprises Kris LaCoste on lead vocals, Matt Richard on guitars, Daniel Dicharry on keyboards, Joey Mangiapane on bass guitar, Mark Hebert on drums and Brandon Foret on saxophone, guitars and vocals. All band members are also capable of playing other instruments and vocal duties as sometimes you will see Daniel on the drums performing a cover of "Man in the Box" by Alice in Chains and Mark on lead vocals. Former band members are Alan Calegan now with Nozmo King, Nick Calligaro, Steve Marse and Rob Pourciau. Nick, Steve and Rob are currently performing in a new band called Busta Brown with John Chighizola of The Generics as lead singer. Kris is the only remaining original Chee-Weez band member. Ironically, two of the newest band members Joey Mangiapane and Mark Hebert were also Tom's House and Black Diamond band members. The band had always been comprised of five members until June 2, 2006 when Brandon Foret formerly of Foret Tradition was officially added to the roster.

[edit] Name origin

The Chee-Weez name comes from a candy manufactured by Elmer's candy company in New Orleans. Chee Weez candies were discontinued in the 1970s to the disappointment of locals.[1] Elmer's Fine Foods in New Orleans (unrelated to Elmer's candy) currently manufactures a snack called Chee Wees (similar to Cheetos).[2] [3] The combination of the two is where the band got the name from as the official Chee-Weez band logo mascot "Crotchfro" is modeled after lead singer Kris LaCoste in a disco outfit wearing an Afro wig and platform shoes holding a bag of Chee-Weez.[4]

[edit] Appearances

[edit] Southeastern Louisiana

[edit] Southwestern Louisiana

[edit] Festivals and special events

[edit] Local media

The band has been featured live numerous times on WWL-TV's "Eyewitness Morning News" and WCKW-FM's morning show. The band has also received airplay on Bayou 95.7's (WKBU-FM) "Under the Covers". It was a twice a week segment that features local bands' covers of popular songs.

[edit] Out of state venues

Venues played outside Louisiana include:

[edit] Recordings

Their first and currently only CD was recorded on November 27, 2002 at Last Call in Thibodaux, Louisiana in front of a live audience. The title, "As Cheesy As They Wanna Be, LIVE!" was officially released on January 11, 2003 at the sold out CD Release party at House of Blues in New Orleans. A DVD and long awaited second CD is currently in the works and the release dates have not yet been determined.

[edit] Awards and achievements

[edit] References

  1. ^ Untitled Document
  2. ^ Welcome to the Best of New Orleans! Blake Pontchartrain 10 05 04
  3. ^ Elmer Candy-Inside Northside: Covington, Hammond, Slidell, New Orleans & the northshore hotels, restaurants, travel info, advertising and events
  4. ^ The Chee-Weez band logo mascot "Crotchfro" on Fotki
  5. ^ Krewe of Endymion artists by year http://www.endymion.org/year_art.php
  6. ^ Offbeat Magazine http://www.offbeat.com/artman/publish/article_458.shtml?PHPSESSID=633529f5626102e3f76f5c51416d5626
  7. ^ House of Blues New Orleans sold out shows on Fotki

[edit] External links