In a bowl combine the dry ingredients and blend thoroughly. Cream in the butter with your fingers or a fork, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the buttermilk a little at a time and, using your hands or a fork, work it in just until it’s thoroughly incorporated and you have a smooth ball of dough. Don’t overwork or over-handle the dough. Form small balls of dough onto a lightly flour surface.
For the monkey/gorilla bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 12-cup Bundt pan; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine cheese and Italian seasoning.
Roll each individual biscuit into a ball. Dip each piece in the 1 stick of melted butter, then coat with the cheese mixture. Place dough into prepared pan; overlapping will occur. Bake bread, 30 to 35 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent excess browning, if needed.
Let cool in pan, 10 minutes; invert bread onto a serving plate. Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup melted butter on top and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.