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Spinal Tap to Reunite for Live Earth

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the tap-into-tomorrow dept.

Maximum Prophet noted that one of the most influential and loud rock bands in the history of music is coming back together to perform at Live Earth this summer. Yes, that's right Tap is Back. The article has some good news (a new single is coming) and some bad news... apparently Derek is in rehab for addiction to the Internet. Best wishes to him on his recovery- I'm sure it won't impact the performance... if Spinal Tap is anything, they are a band.

54 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Spinal Tap by jshriverWVU · · Score: 2

    Always been confused over this. Is Spinal Tap a real band, or just a movie made band that parodies the rock industry. Thought it was the latter, but people talk about it so passionately as if it was a real band.

    1. Re:Spinal Tap by multipartmixed · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's because their music goes all the way to eleven!

      --

      Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
    2. Re:Spinal Tap by qwijibo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The music industry is a caricature of itself, so why shouldn't Spinal Tap be both?

    3. Re:Spinal Tap by Ctrl+Alt+De1337 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Spinal Tap did not exist before the movie. Due to the popularity of the movie, the actors who portrayed Spinal Tap actually went on tours and released albums. Because the members are actors, they do not remain together touring and recording albums, but they get together from time to time for things like this.

    4. Re:Spinal Tap by curecollector · · Score: 4, Funny

      No way - they're still on their first drummer.

    5. Re:Spinal Tap by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Informative

      Additionally, Tap fans often join in on the joke by reporting on and discussing the band's doings as though it were all real, as the submitter did here.

      --
      Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
    6. Re:Spinal Tap by dfghjk · · Score: 2, Informative

      The actors learned their instruments and performed their own music. In order to do that they performed as a actual band quite a bit before the making of the movie and continue to do that from time to time.

    7. Re:Spinal Tap by rizzo420 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      you just insulted spinal tap.

      --
      please me, have no regrets.
    8. Re:Spinal Tap by owlnation · · Score: 2, Informative

      Because the members are actors, they do not remain together touring and recording albums, but they get together from time to time for things like this.
      Almost, but not quite. They do work together regularly as part of a large ensemble, just not as Spinal Tap. See for example: "The Mighty Wind", "Best In Show", "Waiting for Guffman", and recently "For Your Consideration"
    9. Re:Spinal Tap by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 3, Funny

      Wow, after all this time my sig is finally relevant!!

      --
      "But this one goes to 11!"
    10. Re:Spinal Tap by Keebler71 · · Score: 5, Funny
      Nigel Tufnel: This is a top post, it's very, very special, because, if you can see...

      Marty DiBergi: Yeah...

      Nigel Tufnel: [pointing to the moderation] ...the numbers all go to six. Look, right across the board: six, six, six, six,..

      Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most scoring systems go up to five?

      Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.

      Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's funnier? Is that any more funny?

      Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one funnier, isn't it? It's not five. You see, most... most blokes, you know, will be joking at five. You're on five here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up... you're on five on slashdot. Where can you go from there? Where?

      Marty DiBergi: I don't know...

      Nigel Tufnel: ...nowhere! Exactly! What we do is if we need that extra... push over the cliff, you know what we do?

      Marty DiBergi: Mod it up to six.

      Nigel Tufnel: ...six. Exactly. One higher.

      Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make five funnier, and make five be the top... number, and make that a little funnier?

      Nigel Tufnel: [pause, blank look and snapping chewing gum] This goes to six.

      --
      "It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." - Thomas Sowell
    11. Re:Spinal Tap by whoever57 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sometimes, when performing as Spinal Tap, they also performed as their own supporting band: "The Folksmen", which was OK if the fans "got it", but they also had the experience of being booed off the stage as The Folksmen, only to be cheered back on as Spinal Tap.

      --
      The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
    12. Re:Spinal Tap by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually, I think the rock and roll lifestyle is a less well done parody of Spinal Tap.

      --
      "But this one goes to 11!"
    13. Re:Spinal Tap by bytor4232 · · Score: 5, Informative

      According to wikipedia, they first appeared as a band on the ABC Comedy Special "The TV Show" back in 1978, long before the movie was released.

      --
      -- 4 8 15 16 23 42
    14. Re:Spinal Tap by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 2, Interesting

      This is the first post ever desrving a six I have ever seen on Slashdot!!

      --
      "But this one goes to 11!"
    15. Re:Spinal Tap by MsGeek · · Score: 5, Informative

      And the fact of the matter is that they aren't bad musicians at all. Like many in comedy they all had backgrounds in music before Tap. It used to be that some sort of musical ability was a prerequisite for being a comedian. Vaudeville sort of made that a part of being a theatrical comedian. It's not really as wedded to comedy anymore -- I think that Andy Kaufman was the last person to call himself a "song and dance man" -- but it's in the DNA.

      Same with animators. Max and Dave Fleischer created a very unique system at their studio where the animators had to know how to read music to time out cartoons. At the very least, they had to know how to read rhythms. The Fleischers had a radically different system than any other studio, and only Tezuka Osamu really copied their methods. However, because Tezuka Osamu copied the Fleischer system, a lot of animation made for domestic consumption in Japan has the seiyuu laying on their voice performances after everything else is done, and x-sheets containing rhythmic notation of some sort or another. The American/Canadian/European system that started at Disney had the soundtrack recording go first and everything else being animated to that "track." When the Japanese did overseas services for studios like Hanna-Barbera in the '60s and '70s they used the "track goes first" system. From what I understand, in modern Japan, whether they animate to the track or not is a personal decision of the production company. Some studios do, some don't.

      Anyway what I was getting at is that there are a lot of animators who are also musicians. Some are just people who play music for fun, some are really, really good at it, for example Jim Smith who helped create Ren & Stimpy and whose guitar playing can be heard at the beginning and end of every episode. Being funny and being musical seems to be connected somehow.

      --
      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
    16. Re:Spinal Tap by Ngarrang · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Always been confused over this. Is Spinal Tap a real band, or just a movie made band that parodies the rock industry. Thought it was the latter, but people talk about it so passionately as if it was a real band. As real as The Monkeys, The Spice Girls, every boy band since 1990 and Vanilla Ice.
      --
      Bearded Dragon
    17. Re:Spinal Tap by cayenne8 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      "The music industry is a caricature of itself, so why shouldn't Spinal Tap be both?"

      No doubt!!

      Funny...I'd not even heard of this Live Earth concert till this article. I went to the website to look at the bands, wow...not much to see except the Police really. I guess Madonna and the Peppers still put on a good show, but, really, the music industry has really killed music.

      Look at the HUGE names for the original Live Aid, heck, look at the bands that were fairly newcommers that became huge (U2 for instance). Look at the sheer number of big acts then available to play a worldwide show, and look at what's available now. It appears that the music industries actions over the past 2 decades has left us with no successors to the bands of the 70's, 80's...and even some in the 90's. All the older bands are aging past quality performance levels (they can't all survive like Keith Richards), and/or have broken up. Where are the new 'Beatles'?

      I may tune in for parts of this show...but, I may not watch long. Was I the ONLY one severely disappointed with the Live 8 broadcast? I was there for Live Aid when shown live, and it was a major day for us. They had 2-3 channels showing bands all day long. I tuned into Live 8 expecting to watch bands all day, but, what did I get? I got to see the fscking announcers and 'celebs' talking all day, and occasionally showing a clip of a performance. Where the hell did the music go? At least, it was this way in the US. I mean, my God...they went to commercial here before Pink Floyd had finished their set. One of the largest reunions in the rock world, and they cut to commercial before it was over????????????????

      Perhaps that behavior of money completely overiding content is exactly the problem.

      I for one love to see things like this done...it should raise awareness of an issue, and provide the audience with entertainment from big established acts, and showcase the best of the new artists. But, I think that is something of the past.

      I don't think we'll actually see performances by artists like at Woodstock, or Live Aid again. At least...not until the atmosphere changes, and talent can emerge on the world circuit, and be allowed to grow and develop as they did in the old days.

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    18. Re:Spinal Tap by pablodiazgutierrez · · Score: 3, Funny

      Not anymore, if you give me a minute.

      --

      To do list for Windows
  2. Great news. by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm hoping their amps can now go up to 12 instead of 11, due to advances in sound and rock technology since their last tour.

    1. Re:Great news. by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 2, Insightful

      How old are you?

    2. Re:Great news. by MrNougat · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm hoping their amps can now go up to 12 instead of 11, due to advances in sound and rock technology since their last tour.


      Silly, they'll just make eleven louder, and keep eleven as the top number. Sheesh.
      --
      Web 2.0 == Giant Blogspam Circle Jerk
    3. Re:Great news. by roystgnr · · Score: 3, Funny

      Silly, they'll just make eleven louder, and keep eleven as the top number. Sheesh. ...

      These go to twelve.

    4. Re:Great news. by Who235 · · Score: 5, Funny

      it still has nothing to do with technology.

      Wrong again.

      The incident involving the stage setting for "Stonehenge" demonstrates the importance of making sure everyone involved with a project is using the same units of measure. This is an invaluable lesson that all programmers should absorb.

      So there, it's nerdy.

      Plus it's just about the funniest movie in history, and (most) nerds like funny stuff.
    5. Re:Great news. by lucabrasi999 · · Score: 2, Funny
      under either 'humor' and 'movies'.

      Ugh. Well, I hope the grammar police don't read THAT post.

    6. Re:Great news. by Bazman · · Score: 4, Funny

      I hope Nigel will do his bit for the environment by turning his amps down to 10.

      I thought the Live Earth line-up would feature the Energy-Saving Electric Light Orchestra and Joan Carbontrading...

    7. Re:Great news. by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 2, Funny

      In honor of Live Earth they will be using eco-friendly solar powered guitars and lighting. They go on stage at 8pm.

      --
      It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
    8. Re:Great news. by ureshii_akuma · · Score: 2, Informative

      I've always preferred: The difference between a geek and a nerd is a nerd knows the difference between a geek and a nerd.

    9. Re:Great news. by ystar · · Score: 2, Funny

      But these go to twelve.

  3. I hope the drummer doesn't combust by tinrobot · · Score: 4, Funny

    The subsequent release of carbon would be detrimental to the planet.

  4. Vomit by Philotic · · Score: 4, Funny

    "The official cause of death is he died of choking on CO2 emissions. It wasn't his own CO2 emissions. He choked on somebody else's CO2 emissions."

  5. Heh. by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Funny

    and some bad news... apparently Derek is in rehab for addiction to the Internet. He's probably reading about himself on Slashdot right now...
    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  6. A Masterpiece by Zaphenath · · Score: 3, Funny

    As much as I look forward to the new single, nothing will ever take the place in my heart reserved for the song "Lick My Love Pump." Hopefully it will get more than just a two word review.

    What this really has to do with Slashdot is t-shirt color. How much more black can our t-shirts be? And the answer is none. None more black.

  7. Re:Music!=NewsForNerds by mstahl · · Score: 2, Informative

    This is Spinal Tap is an utterly hilarious "mockumentary" about a hard rock band in the eighties, brought to you by the same folks as Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind. It's news for nerds because, like everybody else in this world, nerds like Spinal Tap. Why don't you?

  8. Wanted: Drummer - Life expectancy ONE Tour by Ageing+Metalhead · · Score: 5, Funny

    Advertisement as expected on Craigslist!

    --
    The knack of flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. - HGTTG
  9. Best line by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Baby, you're too young
    And I'm too well hung

    1. Re:Best line by dfghjk · · Score: 2, Funny

      You're sweet but you're just four feet
      And you still got your baby teeth

  10. Re:Live Earth? by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 2, Funny

    how's it coming wiping your butt with one piece of paper?


    I don't know, you'd have to ask Sheryl Crow. But this article is about Spinal Tap, whose amps go up to 11, not Sheryl Crow, who sometimes doesn't even use amps.
    --
    My blog
  11. Speaking of loud by ptomblin · · Score: 2, Funny

    When is "Disaster Area" going to be touring this end of the galaxy again?

    --
    The next Cmdr Taco duplicate will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and see it early!
    1. Re:Speaking of loud by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sadly they're only touring the opposite end of the galaxy.. but don't worry, you'll hear it fine.

      --
      Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  12. You sick bastards. by goodEvans · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one would like to distance myself from the original poster's comments regarding Derek's current stint in rehab. Wishing him well on a website is tantamount to buying a round of drinks and saying "cheers" to congratulate a recovering alcoholic.

    Derek, if you are reading this, step away from the computer you weak-willed fool.

    Sick, sick, sick.

  13. The DVD is fantastic by fahrvergnugen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you've never watched the DVD with the commentary track on, I highly recommend you do so. It's like getting the film for the first time all over again. The band watches the film in character, and comments on it from their perspective 20 years later. They spend the whole time bitching about what a horrible hatchet job Reiner did on them. "29 shows out of 30 those pods open just fine, but which one makes it into the film? I ask you."

    Great stuff.

    --
    Even Jesus hates listening to Creed.
  14. Re:folkers by blake3737 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I love it when stuff gets all folked up.

  15. Actually... by Anonymous+Meoward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Spinal Tap did not exist before the movie.

    I beg to differ. When I was a wee lad (and allowed to stay up late), I remember watching a special (read: pilot) that Rob Reiner put together called "The TV Show" in the late 1970s (on ABC-TV I think). It was basically skits that parodied TV (much like "Robot Chicken", though horribly dated of course).

    The skits included a telethon ("Stop Death During Our Lifetime!"), a commercial for the chemical company Proto-Chem (with CEO Tom Proto-Chem no less), a send-up of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom (the prey of the intrepid crew that week was "the white collar worker"), and.. Spinal Tap.

    I was too young to do any drugs, so I know I wasn't hallucinating. Anyone else see this too?

    --
    --- The American Way of Life is not a birthright. Hell, it's not even sustainable.
    1. Re:Actually... by clickclickdrone · · Score: 2, Informative

      >Anyone else see this too?
      No but you're correct - that's where they started.

      Did I mention I've got a Spinal Tap glow-in-the-dark plectrum? :-)

      --
      I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
    2. Re:Actually... by Maximum+Prophet · · Score: 2, Informative

      And Rob Reiner was a member of "The Commitee", which included Howard Hessman. Howard and other commitee members were on "WKRP in Cincinnati" which just release it's first season on DVD. (With some/all of the orginal music replace because of licensing issue. bleck) Howard was also in "Spinal Tap"

      --
      All ideas^H^H^H^H^Hprocesses in this post are Patent Pending. (as well as the process of patenting all postings)
  16. Re:Rehab? by robot_love · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Then your dad is a very lucky man. However, stating that because someone did something, therefore anyone can do something, is not a great argument.

    Cold turkey works for some people, but not for many. Saying it louder doesn't make it more effective.

    However, we must never lose site of the fact that Derek Smalls doesn't actually exist! Wheeeeeee!

    --
    .there is enough of everything for everyone.
  17. Extra Long Box! by SuperEdo · · Score: 2, Informative
    Does no one remember this?:

    "Environmental concerns of unnecessary cardboard waste from artists and consumers alike created controversy over continued use of longboxes. Musicians like David Byrne would incude a sticker over the packaging of his albums reading ""THIS IS GARBAGE", referring to the excessive material use of the longbox form. The satirical band Spinal Tap's 1992 studio album Break Like the Wind was sold in an "extra-long box" (an 18-inch longbox) -- a deliberate parody of the prevailing longbox packaging controversy, as well as a deliberate phallic metaphor."

    (From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longbox)

    So is it hypocritical for them to be performing at Live Earth? Or is it just hilarious? I'm tending toward the latter.

  18. Spinal Tap - no big deal by mconners · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Now, if the Rutles got back together that would be big news.

  19. Re:Music!=NewsForNerds by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Spinal Tap are the pioneers of overclocking. Their infamous "Amp Hack" allowed them to go to 11.

    They also wrote one of the very first version of the Unix kernels, and developed TCP/IP in between gigs. Linus Torvalds was once quoted as saying "If it weren't for Spinal Tap's work in the field, I would have never been inspired to develop Linux." The entire concept for broadband internet access - Spinal Tap. Cisco Corporation was started by the proceeds of an early Spinal Tap show. Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap doodled the first design for the Cray Supercomputer on the back of a napkin at a diner while on tour. David St. Hubbins is also credited for inventing SATA drives because "I just didn't like the sound of the IDE drives".

    There, that enough for you, or shall I continue?

    --
    "But this one goes to 11!"
  20. Hello Cleveland by kennylogins · · Score: 2, Funny

    So let me get this straight, are they playing before or after Puppet Show?

  21. Re:Monkees, Partridge Family, Milli Vanilli by Intron · · Score: 2, Funny

    Only things that can be verified clearly, scientifically and uncontroversially like WMDs, global warming, AIDS caused by HIV, etc.

    --
    Intron: the portion of DNA which expresses nothing useful.
  22. Tonight Spinal Tap is Gonna Rock You Tonight by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They write their own songs, play their own instruments, record albums, and go on tour. They're a real band with a fake history.

    bkd

  23. Re:Monkees, Partridge Family, Milli Vanilli by MushMouth · · Score: 2, Informative

    Unlike the bands in the subject Spinal Tap wrote their and played their own songs. They are also used in a VW Ad (Nigel does a solo from the top of a Jetta, the ad was most likely directed by the 5th Baron Haden-Guest, who is somehow related to Tufnel. I think they were school mates in Squatney) and GSM by the Themesmen (Tap with Joe 'Stumpy' Pepys on drums) can be heard in a Schwab ad.