Fifty years is a long time for a joke to keep going. But Sheldon Mashugana was never very interested in knowing when to stop. What began as an April Fool’s Day gag on Loop Radio in 1976 became a character that Sheldon enjoyed so much that he kept bringing him back, eventually taking him into comedy films, music and videos.
Now, Sheldon is giving one of Halloween’s most recognizable songs his own treatment. Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash” has long been a favorite, and Sheldon felt it was the perfect fit for his comedic alter ego. With Justin Pierce suggesting that “Mashugana” be worked into the chorus, the song quickly became another opportunity to have fun with the character.
Getting the performance right took some work. Sheldon had to go over the song repeatedly to find the right rhythm around the sound effects, eventually recording the entire track using three different voices. He also explains why using a karaoke backing track made sense for the project and gave him more room to focus on the performance itself.
The interview also takes a closer look at the wider Sheldon Mashugana world. Sheldon talks about the 18 slapstick comedy films he has created for YouTube, how the response to his “Surfin’ Bird” song encouraged him to keep making music, and the creative partnership he has developed with Justin Pierce.
For Sheldon, the point remains simple: people need to laugh. He talks about creating entertainment that gives audiences a break from everyday problems and explains why working with someone who genuinely believes in the character makes the process even more enjoyable.
With a television appearance in Santa Fe ahead, three films already written and three more songs planned, Sheldon Mashugana still has plenty of room to make trouble.
In this conversation, Sheldon talks about the origins of the character, the making of “Monster Mash,” his approach to comedy and music, his partnership with Justin Pierce and what comes next for Sheldon Mashugana.
Before we get into “Monster Mash,” take us back to the beginning. How did you first get into performing and comedy, and what led you to create Sheldon Mashugana as your comedic alter ego?
started out as a fools day joke on apr 1 in 1976 on the loop radio . I liked it so much that I decided to create the character.
You have admired Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash” for a long time. What made you decide that this particular Halloween classic was the right song for Sheldon Mashugana to put his own personality on?
Bobby picketts song is my favorite, I thought if sheldon would do it , it would be a hit.
You cleverly worked “Mashugana” into the chorus. How did that idea come together, and did you immediately know that it would fit the character?
justins idea to put mashugana as the chorus as I was doing the single.
You mentioned that the pacing of the original song was challenging at first, but that it became surprisingly easy once you found the right vocal approach. What changed for you when you finally figured out how you wanted Sheldon to perform it?
Due to the sound effects and such I had to go over it many times to get the beat I was looking for, I did sing the whole song and used 3 different voices.
Rather than recording live instruments, you used a karaoke backing track at Justin Pierce Music. What did that approach allow you to focus on as a performer, particularly when it came to the comedy and personality of the song?
its easier and cheaper to do the kareoke bit, however if someone were to ask me to do it Live , I would do it.
Sheldon Mashugana is about creating a goofy, feel-good experience for people. How important is it to you to use humor as a way of giving people an escape from stress, problems and the heavier side of everyday life?
Sheldon Mashugana is about creating a goofy, feel-good experience for people. How important is it to you to use humor as a way of giving people an escape from stress, problems and the heavier side of everyday life?
Right now in this negative enviroment, every one needs to laugh.
You have already created 18 slapstick comedy films on YouTube. How has building Sheldon through film and comedy influenced the way you approach music, and do you see the different forms of entertainment becoming part of one larger Sheldon Mashugana world?
Since everyone like my surfin bird song and I test marketed other songs to see if they still liked it, they all said they loved it, so I continued doing them for fun.
You have developed a creative partnership with Justin Pierce, who handles production and mixing. What have you learned from working with him, and how important is having someone who understands the sound and personality you are trying to create?
Justin is a fan and loves sheldon, it make a big difference if someone is doing it just for money or if someone truly believes in the creation.
From a professional standpoint, what has creating and sustaining the Sheldon Mashugana character taught you about staying creative, connecting with an audience and continuing to make people smile?
I went to an oscar party for elton John and met Kirt Young and many others there, they all knew sheldon, I had to show them a picture of him, but every a lister there knew that charactor, if the a listers all like them, and India and all of asian likes them and europe likes him, I’ll keep doing it. Sheldon is fun for me to do and I enjoy being him
With television appearances coming up in Santa Fe and more opportunities ahead, what do you hope this next chapter brings for Sheldon Mashugana, and what do you want people to feel when they encounter the character for the first time?
Besides the tv show I have 3 movies I wrote and I have 3 more songs to do. On my youtube I also have these songs as videos, they are amazing ai videos of me singing.
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