The Wildparty Sheiks
Encyclopedia
The Wildparty Sheiks were a band based in New York City
from approximately the mid-1990s until 2002. They specialized in music originally performed by African-American musicians or Caucasians in blackface
in the minstrel
genre and related works, primarily from the early twentieth century. Each member of the band assumed a 'Sheik
' pseudonym and they often played in costumes, such as Shriner-esque suits and fezzes.
, an early form of musical recording.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from approximately the mid-1990s until 2002. They specialized in music originally performed by African-American musicians or Caucasians in blackface
Blackface
Blackface is a form of theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville, in which performers create a stereotyped caricature of a black person. The practice gained popularity during the 19th century and contributed to the proliferation of stereotypes such as the "happy-go-lucky darky...
in the minstrel
Minstrel show
The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the Civil War, black people in blackface....
genre and related works, primarily from the early twentieth century. Each member of the band assumed a 'Sheik
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
' pseudonym and they often played in costumes, such as Shriner-esque suits and fezzes.
Band lineup
The band's lineup was:| Real Name | Pseudonym | Instrument(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Royce | Sheik Professor Honeycat Crozier | Mandolin, Tenor Guitar, Vocals |
| Frank Gresham | Sheik Crazy Wild Surprise | Guitar, Lead Vocals |
| Joe LeSage | Sheik Liquid Giuseppe LeSage | Bass, Vocal Miscellanea |
| Willis DeBarge | Sheik Uptown Willis DeBarge | Drums, Engineering |
Album
In 2002, the band released an eponymous CD on 7th Room Records (#001) with the following tracks, all covers, crediting the original artist and date:Track list
- My Money Never Runs Out - Banjo Joe (Gus CannonGus CannonGus Cannon was an American blues musician, who helped to popularize jug bands in the 1920s and 1930s. There is doubt about his birth year; his tombstone gives the date as 1874....
) 1927 - Loan Me Your Heart - Papa Charlie JacksonPapa Charlie JacksonPapa Charlie Jackson was an early American bluesman and songster. He played a hybrid banjo guitar and ukulele, his recording career beginning in 1924...
1929 - You Shall - Frank Stokes 1927
- Take Those Lips Away - Doc Roberts and Asa Martin 1928
- What Is It That Tastes Like Gravy - Tampa RedTampa RedTampa Red , born Hudson Woodbridge but known from childhood as Hudson Whittaker, was an American Chicago blues musician....
and Georgia Tom 1929 - Can't Be Bothered With No Sheik - Rosa HendersonRosa HendersonRosa Henderson was an American jazz and classic female blues singer, and vaudeville entertainer.-Career:...
1931 - Boot It Boy - Tampa Red and Frankie "Half Pint" JaxonFrankie JaxonFrankie "Half Pint" Jaxon was an African American vaudeville singer, female impersonator, stage designer and comedian, popular in the 1920s and 1930s.-Life and career:...
1929 - Lady Quit Her Husband Onexpectingly - Tub Jug Washboard Band 1928
- Old Jim Canaan - Robert Wilkins 1935
- Dallas Rag - Coley Jones and the Dallas String Band 1927
- O Tierra Del Sol - (Mexican Traditional)
- Gonna Tip Out Tonight - Simmie Dooley and Pink AndersonPink Anderson"Pink" Anderson was a blues singer and guitarist, born in Laurens, South Carolina.-Life and career:After being raised in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina, he joined Dr...
1928
- Bliss BloodBliss BloodBliss Blood is a musician and songwriter from Houston, Texas. She moved to New York City, New York in 1996. She has written and recorded one album with Evanescent in 2011 , five albums with New York jazz band The Moonlighters from 2000-2009, and six albums from 1988-1995 with Houston noise rock...
of The Moonlighters provided guest vocals on "Can't Be Bothered With No Sheik" and the disc contained a bonus track accessible only by computer, which was a cover of the explicit version of "Shave 'Em Dry" as recorded by Lucille BoganLucille BoganLucille Bogan was an American blues singer, among the first to be recorded. She also recorded under the pseudonym Bessie Jackson...
in 1935.
Band dissolvement
The band effectively dissolved with the departure of lead singer Gresham for an extended trip to London. He has since returned to New York City and performed solo. Gresham is also known to have an extensive collection of Edison CylindersThomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
, an early form of musical recording.