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The Chee Weez Biography

The Chee-Weez is a New Orleans, Louisiana area cover band that was formed in 1997 by Kris LaCoste, Nick Caligero, Alan Calegan, Steve Marse and Rob Pourciau. 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. 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 and sparkling wiggles.

Band members:
The band currently comprises Brandon Foret (vocals), Matt Richard on guitars, Daniel Dicharry on keyboards, Joey Mangiapane on bass guitar and Mark Hebert on drums. 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. 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 had five members until June 2, 2006 when Brandon Foret formerly of Foret Tradition was officially added to the roster. On May 11, 2009 it was announced that Brandon is leaving the band to pursue a solo career and started his own band, The Brandon Foret Band. On Monday, November 29, 2010 Kris LaCoste quit the band. The remaining band members were forced to find a replacement. Todd O'Neill was the last minute replacement lead singer the band had called in just two days prior. He impressed the remaining band members from the performance at that show in Plaquemine that they asked him to take over on vocal duties from that point on as their new lead singer. In September 2012 it was announced Todd O'Neill will be leaving the band to pursue other music endeavors. On September 26, Brandon Foret announced that he will return in 2013 to become their new lead singer.

Appearances:

Southeastern Louisiana:
Boomtown Casino New Orleans (Harvey),
The Buzz (Hammond),
Cinco de Mayo at Chevys Fresh Mex (Metairie),
The City Club of Houma (Houma),
Graces Lounge (St. Amant),
House of Blues (New Orleans),
Last Call (Thibodaux),
Mike's Club and Lounge (Plaquemine),
New Orleans Hornets pregame show outside New Orleans Arena,
New Orleans Original Daiquiris by Lakeside Shopping Center (Metairie),
No Problem Raceway (Belle Rose),
Old Firemen's Hall (Westwego),
Raxx Bar and Grill (Erwinville),
Southport Hall (Jefferson),
Stevie G's (Pierre Part),
Tommy B's (LaPlace),
Treasure Chest Casino (Kenner),
The Varsity Theatre (Baton Rouge),

Southwestern Louisiana:
The Keg (Lafayette),
L'Auberge du Lac Casino (Lake Charles),
NiteTown (Lafayette),
Rox at Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel (Charenton),

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. The band has also appeared in The Times-Picayune newspaper.

Out of state venues:
Venues played outside Louisiana/Mississippi include:
Capt'n Fun Beach Club (Pensacola Beach, Florida),
Annual/Semi-Annual cruises departing from New Orleans on Carnival Cruise Lines (MS Holiday (2003 and 2004), Carnival Sensation (2005) and Carnival Fantasy (2007)),
Ski trips in January with Louisiana area College students in Crested Butte, Colorado (2005) and Keystone, Colorado (2006 and 2007).,
Club Overboard (Destin, Florida),
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada),
Seville Quarter (Pensacola, Florida),
Spinnaker Beach Club (Spring Break 2003) (Panama City Beach, Florida),
Club Rain (The Palms casino & resort) (Las Vegas, Nevada),
Houston Beer Fest, Hermann Square Park - June 8, 2013 (Houston, Texas),

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.

Awards and achievements:
Best New Cover Band of 1999 by Offbeat Magazine,
First cover band to sell out at the House of Blues in New Orleans on January 11, 2003