Loser's Lounge is an ongoing tribute project which performs music by songwriters and bands like Queen, Serge Gainsbourg, Neil Diamond, Paul Williams, Lee Hazlewood, Devo, and David Bowie. Each show explores greater- and lesser-known works by a single artist, or pits two musical forces against one another (for example, Blondie vs. The Pretenders, or The Smiths vs. The Cure).
Loser's Lounge is a popular forum that brings together New York City musicians of all stripes and genres -- from successful mainstream singers to underground or experimental artists. Artists who have performed at Losers Lounge shows include Paul Williams, J Mascis, Sean Altman, John Flansburgh, April March, Ronnie Spector, Debbie Harry, Alice Cohen, Richard Barone, J. G. Thirlwell, Brian Dewan, Carol Jacobanis, and Cyndi Lauper.
The original revue was created in 1993 and performed by Joe McGinty (former keyboarist for the Psychedelic Furs and session musician for bands like The Ramones) with the performer Nick Danger and the singer/songwriter Andrea Egert. Its first performances were at the Pink Pony, on Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side of New York City. Later performances at Fez under Time Cafe were backed-up by The Custard Kings.
For many years Fez under Time Cafe was home to regular Loser's Lounge performances. Fez closed as a venue in April, 2005. Loser's Lounge has since appeared at several large rooms in New York City, including the Allen Room at AOL Time Warner Center, the Bowery Ballroom and Joe's Pub.