A MESSAGE FROM
RICHARD CHEESE
July 29, 2025
Dearest Richard Cheese Fans:
I have a few important announcements to make.
First of all, I'm happy to announce ... that I'm alive!!!
Why exactly am I telling you this?
Because in May, I almost DIED!
Fortunately, I didn't die, and for that I am very grateful.
I'll tell you more about what happened in a moment, and I'll be
sharing the whole story in my forthcoming autobiographical book,
which is fittingly titled "Grateful."
However, because of what happened, which involved a startling
series of medical foofaraws that are still not resolved, the publication
of my "Grateful" book will be partially delayed.
Yes, I said partially. Here's what's going to happen:
In October 2025, I'm going to release the first 200 pages of
my "Grateful" book, as an eBook. Then, in 2026, I'll publish
the rest of the book in eBook format, plus the entire book will be
printed in a fancy hardcover edition.
I know that my book has been a long time coming (that's what she said),
and I apologize again for the postponings, which is not a word. But, at
least you'll get the first part this year -- and you'll have proof that my
book really exists!
And I'm pretty sure you're going to really enjoy it: it's jam-packed
with wild stories and fun photos from my concert tours, recording
sessions, TV/film performances, and doctor appointments!
For my fans who pre-paid for the "Grateful" hardcover book,
you'll receive everything for free, starting with the eBook in
October 2025. If you pre-paid for just the eBook, you'll get the
eBooks for free.
If you're a new fan, you'll be able to place a new order for
the "Grateful" book soon.
(FYI, the book was formerly titled "Atlas Lounged," but I
changed it to "Grateful".)
Now, let me tell you more about my health situation:
I'm a mess!
You probably noticed that I haven't played any live concerts since
our November 2023 show in Las Vegas. That's because I slipped
and fell and hit my head on a marble floor! Yikes! Luckily,
I didn't die from that either, but it sure did a number on my
noggin. I was dizzy for months! So, I had to cancel a bunch
of gigs and stop touring until I felt better.
But then, in August 2024, just as I was feeling better, I caught
COVID19! This was the first time for me, and I subsequently
developed some serious medical problems. For the past 11
months, I have been struggling with "long haul COVID."
The COVID19 virus attacked my autonomic nervous system,
and I now have a condition called dysautonomia. This means
that my body's autonomic nervous system is not properly
regulating my heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, metabolism,
and other involuntary functions. As a result, every day I am
groggy, dizzy, woozy, and all of the other seven dwarfs.
My symptoms began to get significantly worse in early 2025, and
in April, my heart rate dropped to 39BPM, which is extremely
not okay. That's when I almost died!
After multiple trips to the emergency room and a weekend
stay in the hospital, a doctor implanted a pacemaker in my
chest on May 3, 2025! Here's a pic:
Dearest Richard Cheese Fans:
I have a few important announcements to make.
First of all, I'm happy to announce ... that I'm alive!!!
Why exactly am I telling you this?
Because in May, I almost DIED!
Fortunately, I didn't die, and for that I am very grateful.
I'll tell you more about what happened in a moment, and I'll be
sharing the whole story in my forthcoming autobiographical book,
which is fittingly titled "Grateful."
However, because of what happened, which involved a startling
series of medical foofaraws that are still not resolved, the publication
of my "Grateful" book will be partially delayed.
Yes, I said partially. Here's what's going to happen:
In October 2025, I'm going to release the first 200 pages of
my "Grateful" book, as an eBook. Then, in 2026, I'll publish
the rest of the book in eBook format, plus the entire book will be
printed in a fancy hardcover edition.
I know that my book has been a long time coming (that's what she said),
and I apologize again for the postponings, which is not a word. But, at
least you'll get the first part this year -- and you'll have proof that my
book really exists!
And I'm pretty sure you're going to really enjoy it: it's jam-packed
with wild stories and fun photos from my concert tours, recording
sessions, TV/film performances, and doctor appointments!
For my fans who pre-paid for the "Grateful" hardcover book,
you'll receive everything for free, starting with the eBook in
October 2025. If you pre-paid for just the eBook, you'll get the
eBooks for free.
If you're a new fan, you'll be able to place a new order for
the "Grateful" book soon.
(FYI, the book was formerly titled "Atlas Lounged," but I
changed it to "Grateful".)
Now, let me tell you more about my health situation:
I'm a mess!
You probably noticed that I haven't played any live concerts since
our November 2023 show in Las Vegas. That's because I slipped
and fell and hit my head on a marble floor! Yikes! Luckily,
I didn't die from that either, but it sure did a number on my
noggin. I was dizzy for months! So, I had to cancel a bunch
of gigs and stop touring until I felt better.
But then, in August 2024, just as I was feeling better, I caught
COVID19! This was the first time for me, and I subsequently
developed some serious medical problems. For the past 11
months, I have been struggling with "long haul COVID."
The COVID19 virus attacked my autonomic nervous system,
and I now have a condition called dysautonomia. This means
that my body's autonomic nervous system is not properly
regulating my heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, metabolism,
and other involuntary functions. As a result, every day I am
groggy, dizzy, woozy, and all of the other seven dwarfs.
My symptoms began to get significantly worse in early 2025, and
in April, my heart rate dropped to 39BPM, which is extremely
not okay. That's when I almost died!
After multiple trips to the emergency room and a weekend
stay in the hospital, a doctor implanted a pacemaker in my
chest on May 3, 2025! Here's a pic:
No, no, here's a pic of the pacemaker:
Alas, while the pacemaker is working properly (my BPM is now
a steady 65), it only addresses my faulty pulse rate. I'm still having
blood pressure fluctuations and heart palpitations, as well as an
assortment of other issues that clobber me at random times
throughout every day: lightheadedness, presyncope (almost fainting),
balance problems, stumbling, neuropathy, chills, nausea, exhaustion,
constant headaches, and rather alarming cognitive problems. For
example, yesterday I couldn't remember Fiona Apple's name for
three hours.
I've had numerous MRIs, ultrasounds, and EKGs, and I've seen
four cardiologists, two neurologists, a rheumatologist, a dozen
venipuncturists, and several other specialists.
But, alas again, I have been told that there is no known cure or
proven treatment for my condition.
Dysautonomia is actually very common among "long COVID"
patients; MILLIONS of people now have dysautonomia. While
some patients might recover within a few months, many people
have been suffering from these debilitating symptoms for YEARS.
Some days, my symptoms are relatively mild; but most days, I
feel like my brain is collapsing into a black hole and my heart is
going to detonate. Frankly, it's scary, frustrating, and
heartbreaking, literally.
The best advice I've received is from members of a dysautonomia
support group: do the best you can each day, and try to focus on
gratitude. So, that's what I'm doing. I'm thankful that I am still
alive, and I'm counting my blessings. It's been a difficult year, but
I recognize how lucky I've been, and I know things could have
also turned out much worse.
Unfortunately, in my present condition, I am sorry to say that
I am physically unable to perform live concerts until further notice.
Sigh.
I don't want to say I'm retired; so let's just call it "medical leave."
I'll be seeing more doctors next month, and I'm doing strength
training and cognitive exercises daily. I am hopeful that I and science
will eventually find a way to overcome these aggravating symptoms,
so I can get back to lounging against the machine soon.
While I recuperate, I am devoting all of the brain cells I can muster
each day to completing my "Grateful" book ASAP. But, the writing
process is going slowly right now, because the words just
aren't always there.
Incidentally, I've decided to update my book's title to this:
"Grateful: 25 Years Of Music, Movies, And Medical Emergencies
With Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine."
(I'm trying to keep a sense of humor about all this.)
In closing, I have five important things to say to you:
1) Since I can't play live shows anymore, I'm not able to meet new
audiences and make new fans. So, I would really appreciate it if
you helped get my music into the ears of more people. Please
share my streaming links and YouTube videos with your friends
and families and venipuncturists, so I can grow my fan base (and
maybe bring in some cheddar). You can also buy Richard Cheese
vinyl LP records and CDs and T-shirts from my richardcheese.com
website. Thank you again for spreading the Cheese!
2) Please don't try to donate money to me! I'm not broke, I'm just
woozy! Instead, please make a donation to democracydocket.com
because they're fighting to protect democracy, elections, the rule of
law, due process, and basic human rights (including affordable
healthcare).
3) Please don't catch COVID.
Wear a mask.
Wash your hands.
Avoid crowds.
You DO NOT want what I have.
And, please get your vaccinations every year!
(Yes, I was vaccinated -- and if I hadn't had the protection of
the vaccine, the virus would have killed me.)
4) Because of my brain fog, I forgot what #4 was going to be.
5) Please know that I genuinely appreciate you and all of my
Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine fans. Your kind
support over the last 25 years has meant so much to me; you're
the reason I keep a song in my heart. Thank you from the bottom
of my martini, which I am not allowed to drink anymore because
of my medical issues. FUCK!
You know, I've had two cornea operations, two sinus surgeries,
a hernia, pneumonia, and several other medical crises, but this
dysautonomia is the toughest challenge I've ever faced -- and I
simply don't know what's going to happen.
Maybe that November 2023 Vegas concert was my last live gig.
Or maybe I'll be back on stage next year.
Whichever way, I am sincerely honored that you've been along
for the ride, and I am ever grateful that, thanks to supportive fans
like you, my music will outlive all of us, especially the goddamned
fascists who are trying to take away our health insurance and
medical research and social security and civil rights. Fuck those
fucking fuckers.
Anyway, please be careful out there -- but don't give up hope.
I'm not giving up, either. As long as I'm here, I'm going to keep
fighting, against dysautonomia, as well as against fascism,
greed, hate, and cilantro.
Stay safe, stay angry, and stay swanky. And stay tuned for my
eBook "Grateful, Part One: Stranger In A Strange Lounge"
which will arrive in October 2025,
unless I'm dead by then.
Whatevs.
Woozily Yours,
Mark Jonathan Davis (AKA Richard Cheese)
P.S. If you have questions about your book pre-order, or
need to update your email address, please use
the Book Customer Contact Form below.
P.P.S. As a reward for reading this far, use the discount code
DIZZY50 to get 50% off all merchandise and album downloads at
http://richardcheese.bandcamp.com
thru Friday August 1, 2025. Enjoy!
P.P.P.S. Seriously, do NOT get COVID. Also, do NOT answer
any calls from "Private Number," it's your crazy ex!!!
▶ ADDITIONAL INFO:
If you pre-ordered the book via KickStarter or IndieGogo,
you will be contacted via email in October 2025 with additional updates.
PLEASE make sure we have your current email address!!
Please DO NOT use KickStarter/IndieGoGo to send messages/comments.
This Richard Cheese book was originally going to be titled "Atlas Lounged."
The book title has been changed to:
"Grateful: 25 Years of Music, Movies, and Medical Emergencies with
Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine" by Mark Jonathan Davis.
If you paid for the "Atlas Lounged" book, you will now receive the
"Grateful" book. Same book, different title.
"Grateful, Part One" eBook will be delivered in October 2025. The rest of the eBook will be delivered in 2026.
You will receive the eBooks in EPUB format, compatible with Kindle, iBooks, etc.
Hardcover book is scheduled to ship in fall 2026.
Delivery dates, artwork, title, content, page count, size, formats, and terms subject to change.
Printed book and eBook versions may contain different content.
Parental Advisory, Explicit Content.
Void where prohibited. All rights reserved.
you will be contacted via email in October 2025 with additional updates.
PLEASE make sure we have your current email address!!
Please DO NOT use KickStarter/IndieGoGo to send messages/comments.
This Richard Cheese book was originally going to be titled "Atlas Lounged."
The book title has been changed to:
"Grateful: 25 Years of Music, Movies, and Medical Emergencies with
Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine" by Mark Jonathan Davis.
If you paid for the "Atlas Lounged" book, you will now receive the
"Grateful" book. Same book, different title.
"Grateful, Part One" eBook will be delivered in October 2025. The rest of the eBook will be delivered in 2026.
You will receive the eBooks in EPUB format, compatible with Kindle, iBooks, etc.
Hardcover book is scheduled to ship in fall 2026.
Delivery dates, artwork, title, content, page count, size, formats, and terms subject to change.
Printed book and eBook versions may contain different content.
Parental Advisory, Explicit Content.
Void where prohibited. All rights reserved.
▶ ADDRESS CHANGE?
If you placed an order, please make sure we have your current email address.
Use our Book Customer Contact Form.
If you need to update your physical mailing address, please wait until July 2026!!!
If you need to update your email address, please do that RIGHT NOW!
Use the form below.
Use our Book Customer Contact Form.
If you need to update your physical mailing address, please wait until July 2026!!!
If you need to update your email address, please do that RIGHT NOW!
Use the form below.
