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Cannonball’s coverage of the NYC music scene
Profile of Stu Richards, formerly known as Chicken Leg (originally published in Boog City 97)
Chicken Leg is a living, breathing psychedelic experience.
On a vibrant twelve-string acoustic guitar, the Leg strums and sings eclectic original tunes, including “Omen 23”, a storyline for the as-of-yet unreleased 23rd Omen movie involving the death of Paul McCartney, “One More Singularity”, about seven friends who created the universe after taking ‘shrooms, and “Gene Krupa”, about Gene Krupa.
His lyrics combine dark, moving tales and unique insight into the human condition, with unexpected outbursts of humor, pop culture references, and fantastical depictions of travel through time and metaphysical space.
The sound of the Leg draws heavily from glam rock and psychedelic folk, with occasional Zappa-tinted progressive rock breakdowns. Despite the absurd, intense qualities of his lyrics and music, which could conjure performances reminiscent of an acid trip gone wrong, watching Chicken Leg perform is a surprisingly calm, refreshing experience.
The Leg’s musical diversity and bizarre lyrical genius keeps audiences captivated and amused, while his friendly, casual demeanor keeps listeners somewhat certain they won’t be abducted by a flying saucer by the end of the show, without their written consent.
After seeing Chicken Leg open a show at Sidewalk Cafe in late 2014, a new fan told me the show brought back memories of folk singers at Greenwich Village venue The Bottom Line in the late 1970s.
Raised in the Midwest, and now a resident of the East Village for more than three decades, the Leg can also be seen performing as frontman of The Dick Jokes and Torched by Nuns, and bass player with Badavocado.
He aims to enjoy associations with these wonderful musicians and artists in this very rich scene, and to bring them wider attention. On this matter, he’s a bit evangelistic in his enthusiasm, and frequents New York’s live rock and antifolk venues when not performing.
– Jesse Statman
Read more of Cannonball’s coverage of the NYC music scene from this era:
1. Review of The Grasping Straws’ self-titled debut album
2. Profile of Stu Richards, formerly known as Chicken Leg
3. Review of Thomas Patrick Maguire’s In The Bag
4. Review of The First Law’s She Traveled With Me
5. Review of Little Cobweb’s Indelible Marks
6. Review of Zack Daniel’s Memoirs of a Scared Teenager
7. Review of Prewar Yardsale’s Black and Blue
8. Review of Yeti’s Pill
9. Profile of Horra
10. Profile of Lauren O’Brien
11. Review of Nancy Paraskevopoulos’ Comfort Muffin
12. Blurb for The Icebergs’ Eldorado