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defrogThis is Spinal Tap is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
The actual anniversary was a couple of months ago, but I mention it now because they’ve released a new track – from their unfinished musical about Jack The Ripper that they mention near the end of the film.
It’s called “Saucy Jack”. And you can download it here (though you’ll need to give them yr email address).
As you might guess, I’m a huge fan of the Tap. Apart from being a funny and by most accounts accurate send-up of the rock’n’roll business – as well as a masterclass in improv – it’s also one of the greatest practical jokes in cinema history. It’s amazing how many people thought this was a real documentary about a real band. And I’ve heard Harry Shearer tell stories about how the first time Spinal Tap went on a real tour to promote the movie, half the audience at their shows “just thought we were the loud band in town that night”.
Genius. Though maybe you need a certain sense of humor to get it. And a certain taste in music.
Anyway, here’s one of my favorite bits: the drummer problem.
FACT: I saw them play live at Starwood Amphitheatre in Nashville during their Break Like The Wind tour in 1992. Great fun. The actors used to joke about how "bad" the music was, but I think actually their soundtrack album is fantastic. I don't think the concept would have worked as well if the music had been crap.
A fine line between stupid and clever,
This is dF
The actual anniversary was a couple of months ago, but I mention it now because they’ve released a new track – from their unfinished musical about Jack The Ripper that they mention near the end of the film.
It’s called “Saucy Jack”. And you can download it here (though you’ll need to give them yr email address).
As you might guess, I’m a huge fan of the Tap. Apart from being a funny and by most accounts accurate send-up of the rock’n’roll business – as well as a masterclass in improv – it’s also one of the greatest practical jokes in cinema history. It’s amazing how many people thought this was a real documentary about a real band. And I’ve heard Harry Shearer tell stories about how the first time Spinal Tap went on a real tour to promote the movie, half the audience at their shows “just thought we were the loud band in town that night”.
Genius. Though maybe you need a certain sense of humor to get it. And a certain taste in music.
Anyway, here’s one of my favorite bits: the drummer problem.
FACT: I saw them play live at Starwood Amphitheatre in Nashville during their Break Like The Wind tour in 1992. Great fun. The actors used to joke about how "bad" the music was, but I think actually their soundtrack album is fantastic. I don't think the concept would have worked as well if the music had been crap.
A fine line between stupid and clever,
This is dF
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no subject
on 2009-06-02 10:31 am (UTC)"It's like we've got armadillos in our trousers" is my favourite quote from what's probably my favourite film of all time.
Have you listened to the commentary track on the DVD? They do improv the whole thing in character, Spinal Tap watching THIS IS SPINAL TAP fifteen years after Marty Dibergi's opus was first released. It's awesome; like getting a whole new movie.
-- JF
no subject
on 2009-06-02 03:15 pm (UTC)Unplugged and unwigged...
on 2009-06-03 03:35 am (UTC)My favorite thing about them is the way they NEVER break character when they make public appearances, I think that's genius.
Re: Unplugged and unwigged...
on 2009-06-03 12:27 pm (UTC)