Tenacious D is a side project by actors Kyle Gass and Jack Black that is part performance art, part satire and part music. Because each aspect of the group’s act is so perfectly conceived, it’s often difficult to know where one part leaves off and another begins. Perhaps the best tribute you can give “The D,” as fans call them, is that they are good enough to be listened to both as rock and as satire.
Which is about what you’d expect from two larger-than-life guys who met as part of the Actor’s Gang, a theatrical company co-founded by movie star Tim Robbins. Although they knew each other in Los Angeles, they became friends while in Scotland, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1991, when Black was still in his teens and Gass was 24. Reportedly, they didn’t like each other at first, but a love of music, humor and cannabis helped them to put aside their differences and mess around with the idea of forming a band.
After three years of rehearsals, the two decided they were ready to unleash themselves on an unwitting public. They booked themselves into Al’s Bar, a famed local dive in the as-yet-ungentrified downtown L.A. and, perhaps as a joke, decided to let the audience at that first show vote on what to name the band. Although Gass was hoping the crowd would choose “The Axe Lords Featuring Gorgazon’s Mischief,” the hoop-friendly crowd instead went with Tenacious D, which was sports commentator Marv Albert’s shorthand phrase for the New York Knicks’ “tenacious defense.”
In the audience that night was David Cross, the mind behind the offbeat underground comedy hit, Mr. Show. Recognizing the theatrical possibilities of the duo, he immediately hired them to do sketches that would follow Mr. Show on TV. Tenacious D shot six episodes of their quest to be the greatest band on earth, but it took four years to air all six episodes.
While that could hardly be called a success, it and sporadic live performances kept the D’s dream alive. They found a benefactor in Dave Grohl, who had seen them play and was impressed enough to offer them a cameo in the Foo Fighters’ video, “Learn to Fly,” and a spot on their tour. After their support on that tour, Tenacious D were also asked to join tours with Beck and Pearl Jam.
Finally, in 2001, Tenacious D recorded and released their first record, called, oddly, given their penchant for word play, Tenacious D. Although their live performances had just the two of them musing on their friendship, music and dope, some of their famous friends, like Dave Grohl (drums and guitar), Phish’s Page McConnell (keyboards), The Vandals’ guitarist Warren Fitzgerald (guitarist), and Redd Kross’s Steven Shane McDonald (bass), as well as the Dust Brothers (producuers) were used in the record. Although perceived by many to be a novelty act, the album went platinum.
Somewhere along the way, Black also became a big movie star. While this was a good thing, his role in Peter Jackson’s King Kong, forced them to postpone the the Tenacious D movie, Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny, and the accompanying soundtrack for a year. Finally, in 2005, Gass and Black started recording the soundtrack, this time using John Konesky (guitar), John Spiker (bass) and Grohl as the band. Two months later, Gass, Black and director Liam Lynch, who had directed the D’s first music video, “Tribute,” began work on the film.
To sell out larger venues befitting the D’s status, they decided to drag the band along with them on tour. Although the film and the record were both successful, the costs of touring with that many people, coupled with the size of the halls, prevented them from making money on the tour.
Whether for that reason or just because he feels the act’s gone as far as it can, Gass has hinted that Tenacious D may have come to an end. But if enough people tell him that Tenacious D are in fact the greatest band in the world, there’s a better than even chance that Gass and Black will once again don their instruments and once again give macho rock a taste of its own medicine.
you know what why the heck don't parents like me and some kids listening to tenacious d and other bands like jimi hendrix and ozzy ozbourne well you tell me parents whats rong with those bands!!
If you're a band reading this, it's because I've voted for you. If you've voted for me, I'd like to say; THANK YOU and Please keep VOTING. ALL MUSICIANS, PLEASE Return the favour. If you're not in the musicians contest, I'd urge you to visit my page, listen to the music on the CASSETTE displayed on the page and VOTE for me. I have left this comment on every page that I like on UBER. It doesnt mean I dont like you if I didnt add you. Lol It might mean that I didnt have the time or havent seen your page and checked out the content. The music is unlike anything that you've heard. I'' let you judge. Over and Out. C.R.I.$.I.$.
Hey! - We added a new track to the player called "U Dream". It's YOUR feedback that helps us figure out which tracks go on the new CD so please have a listen and drop off a comment. Tonight I am also clicking VOTES for ALL of our good friends in the You Bring the Talent contest. Please vote for us too if you like what you hear. Cheers! ... Adam
We want to say "Hi" to all of our newest friends on Uber & a huge "Thank You!" to everyone for all of the great comments, messages and votes. It's very encouraging to be a part of such a great community of artists and music lovers. Cheers! ... Adam
