Rik is fondly remembered through poetry and song in 'The Rik 'N' Roll Show'
Anarchic Punk ‘n’ Poetry duo Cherry & Peesh are bringing their unique blend of energy and irreverence to the fringe circuit with their loving tribute to the late, great actor and comedian Rik Mayall, augmented by the release of a brand new EP; ‘The Rik ‘N’ Roll Show‘. Combining sharp wit, catchy tunes, and a touch of chaos (much like Rik on screen and stage!) Cherry & Peesh present tales of the characters and well-loved stories of the man himself.
Invited to appear at the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival in Droitwich Spa on 6th and 7th of June this year, Cherry & Peesh will be performing at the following places and times:
Cherry & Peesh have performed at many festivals and events all around the UK, and have released three albums full of lyrically-led anthems.
Their latest collaboration is a CD of all the Rik tunes, ‘The Rik ‘N’ Roll Show‘, seven heartfelt and humorous tracks which will be performed at the shows, with the EP available to purchase from the duo in person. If you can’t make it to see them live, you will also be able to get your copy via their bandcamp page HERE and from Cherry B’s website HERE
Introducing the EP with ‘The People’s Poet‘, poet Cherry B performs a wonderful tribute to the legacy of Rik Mayall, flatulence and all!
Cherry & Peesh’s cover of ‘The Young Ones‘ sees them take turns to describe the unique and hilarious characters from the hit TV sitcom that launched Rik fully into the public eye – with his ‘student housemates’ Neil, Vyvyan and Mike, not forgetting their dodgy landlord Balowski.. all of us who watched and loved the show will be smiling and nodding at these clever and comedic descriptions!
‘The Four Horsemen‘ is Peesh’s tribute to Bad News, the fictional rock band created for the C4 TV series The Comic Strip Presents in 1982. Taken from a line spoken by Rik’s character Colin Grigson; “We are the four horsemen of the rock apocalypse, and EMI are shit”. Of course it’s a catchy number
The bluesy ‘Working Class Hero‘ sees Cherry and Peesh take turns to recount the timeline of Rik’s life, from his birth in Harlow, Essex, before he moved to Droitwich and subsequently to Manchester University, where Rik met his long-term writing and performing partner Adrian Edmondson. Rik’s television and film career are also covered in detail, but to so many he’ll always be the working class hero of his first TV series – Kevin Turvey!
By the mid 1980s Rik found plentiful material in the satirical swamp that was British politics, and ‘Alan‘ is about the most obnoxious chartacter he created and played, fictional Member of Parliament Alan B’Stard. This is my favourite song on the EP, a nail-on-the-head punk banger about the Thatcherite legacy.
Rik was of course one of the leading lights of British alternative situation comedy, and ‘Flash Heart‘ picks up another of his best characters, Lord Flasheart from Blackadder (series 2-4), which starred Rowan Atkinson in the title role. Peesh parodies Queen‘s ‘Flash’s Theme‘ from Flash Gordon to describe Rik’s outrageous Lord Flasheart.
Final track ‘Hammersmith Hard Men‘ is about Rik and Ade’s 90s slapstick TV comedy series Bottom. Loser flatmates Richie and Eddie, caricatures of the worst of single men, were brilliantly depicted by Mayall and Edmondson. A final slice of British decline, the song captures the show perfectly.
A cleverly crafted tribute to a beloved comic genius, who died tragically young at just 56 years old, this EP is a fine and funny accolade to Rik by two artists who are also long-time fans of his. Cherry and Peesh never cease to produce excellent material and this is another essential addition to their catalogue.
- The People’s Poet
- The Young Ones
- The Four Horsemen
- Working Class Hero
- Alan
- Flash Heart
- Hammersmith Hard Men
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