Tenacious D Bio

Tenacious D Biography

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Tenacious D is a satirical rock band formed in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of musicians and actors Jack Black (lead vocals, guitar) and Kyle Gass (lead guitar, vocals).

Tenacious D formed in 1994 when the members performed as an acoustic duo. The band first gained popularity in 1999 when they starred in their self-titled television series and began to support large rock acts. In 2001, they released Tenacious D, their debut album featuring a full band. The first single, "Tribute", was the bands most successful in the charts. In 2006, they starred in and recorded the soundtrack for, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. In support of the film, the band went on a world tour, appearing for the first time with a full band.

Tenacious D's music showcases Black's theatrical vocal delivery and Gass' acoustic guitar playing abilities. Critics have described their fusion of vulgar absurdist comedy with rock music as "mock rock". Their songs discuss the duo's purported musical and sexual prowess, as well as their friendship and cannabis usage in a style that music critics have compared with the storyteller-style lyrics of rock opera.

Tenacious D: History

Tenacious D - Beginnings

Black and Gass, at the time respectively aged 16 and 24, met in Edinburgh, Scotland during the Edinburgh Fringe of 1989. Both were members of the Los Angeles-based theatre troupe, The Actors' Gang which was performing Tim Robbins and Adam Simon's play Carnage. Initially Black and Gass did not get on as Gass felt threatened by Black - as he was the main musician for the Actor's gang - but they eventually worked out their differences, and agreed to form a band. Gass taught Black to play guitar, in exchange for Black's helping him with his acting.

Initially, Black and Kyle covered songs by Bobby McFerrin. Later they chose the name "Tenacious D" - a name derived from a term used by sports commentator Marv Albert about the tenacious defense of the NBA's New York Knicks - decided by the audience of the band's first live show, in 1994 at the now defunct Al's Bar. Other possibilities had included "Pets or Meat", "Balboa's Biblical Theatre" and "The Axe Lords Featuring Gorgazon's Mischief", which Gass described as being his personal favorite. In attendance was David Cross who later cast Tenacious D in his sketch comedy television series, Mr. Show.

Tenacious D - Television series (1997-2000)

David Cross, with the writer Bob Odenkirk from Mr Show, continued his involvement with Tenacious D by producing three half-hour shows based on the band. The series, entitled Tenacious D, premiered in 1997, immediately following an episode of Mr. Show. While a total of three episodes consisting of two shorts, ten to twelve minutes in length, were produced, only the first was aired that year; the final two episodes did not air until the summer of 2000. The series was canceled after, according to Gass, HBO offered Tenacious D ten episodes, but in doing so, they would have to relinquish their role as executive producers. Gass and Black decided to make a movie instead. Many songs that eventually were included on the band's first album were first featured on the show, though the episodes also contain songs that remain unreleased.

The six shorts were titled "The Search for Inspirado", "Angel in Disguise", "Death of a Dream", "The Greatest Song in the World", "The Fan", and "Road Gig". After the series aired, the band continued to perform. At a show at the Viper Room in Los Angeles, they met Dave Grohl, who remarked that he was impressed with their performance; this led to their cameo in the Foo Fighters' "Learn to Fly" music video. The popularity of Tenacious D further increased as they began to open for high profile acts, including Beck, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters.

Tenacious D - First album (2001-2003)

In May 2000 Tenacious D signed to Epic Records. As Black's profile increased due to his roles in films like High Fidelity the band worked on recording their first album. In 2001 they released their debut Tenacious D. It peaked at number thirty-three on the Billboard 200 on October 13, 2001. While Tenacious D usually appears as a duo, the album was backed by a full band, consisting of Dave Grohl on drums and guitar, keyboardist Page McConnell of Phish, guitarist Warren Fitzgerald of The Vandals, and bassist Steven Shane McDonald of Redd Kross. According to Black, they chose to use a band because "no one's ever heard us with a band". The majority of the songs on the album, which was produced by the Dust Brothers, were performed previously on their short-lived HBO television series.

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Although the critical reaction varied, by November, 2005, the album had achieved platinum status in the US. Entertainment Weekly described the release as "hilarious", and "no mere comedy record". All Music Guide wrote that the album "rocks so damn hard", but lamented the absence of some of the songs from the television show. Splendid magazine remarked that "as entertainment, Tenacious D succeeds surprisingly well -- for the first few listens.... The only long-term replay value you'll get from this record will come from playing it for friends who haven't heard it."

The first single from the album was "Tribute" - a tribute to the "greatest song in the world" which, in the song, Tenacious D claimed they had performed in order to save their souls from a demon. A music video, directed by Liam Lynch, was shot for the song. The video achieved success and was voted the fifth best music video ever by Kerrang! readers. This was followed by the second single, "Wonderboy", the music video of which was directed by Spike Jonze. A third video was made for Fuck Her Gently an animation depicting Black and Gass as cherubs by John Kricfalusi, the creator of Ren and Stimpy.

Other tracks from the album included "Dio", a song written as a tribute to the rock singer Ronnie James Dio, which mocked him somewhat for being too old, and asked for him to stop playing rock music and "pass the torch" to Tenacious D. Dio liked the song enough to ask the band appear in the music video for his song, "Push". An EP entitled D Fun Pak was released in 2002. It featured a skit and acoustic versions of "Jesus Ranch" and "Kyle Quit The Band", as well as a megamix by Mocean Worker. The Complete Masterworks, a music DVD featuring the entire run of their TV series, music videos, and a live performance from London's Brixton Academy recorded on November 3, 2002, was released in 2003.

Tenacious D - The Pick of Destiny (2004-present)

In October 2003 Black announced that the screenplay for The Pick of Destiny - a fictional portrayal of the beginnings of the band - had been completed. Filming had been expected to take place by the end of 2003, however it was delayed by almost a year due to Black being cast in Peter Jackson's big budget remake of King Kong. The band started recording songs for the soundtrack of the movie, their second studio album, The Pick of Destiny. The second Tenacious D album had John Konesky and John Spiker from Trainwreck on electric guitar and bass respectively. Dave Grohl was once again called to be the drummer, and further lent vocals to "Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)" as well as acting in the film, as Satan.

It was released on November 22, 2006 and debuted in 11th place during Thanksgiving weekend, being overshadowed by other comedies such as Borat and Deck the Halls. The soundtrack was released just over a week earlier, on November 14, and reached number eight on the Billboard 200 in the U.S.,and number ten in the UK. The film opened to poor box office results and as of December 17, 2006, had earned US$8,334,575 domestically, making it the 151st highest grossing film of 2006. The film has earned a worldwide total of $13,363,336. It opened in 11th place for both the standard three day weekend as well as the five day Thanksgiving weekend, followed by a 15th place performance the following week. The film was released on DVD on February 27, 2007. It features many scenes cut from the cinema release of the movie, and an "In the Studio" documentary, as appeared in The Complete Masterworks.

Problems listening to the file? See media help. Black, Gass, Konesky, Spiker and Wackerman

To coincide with the release of their new movie and album, Tenacious D embarked on their 2006-07 tour of the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand. This tour included the band's first appearance at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Unlike other tours, this one featured a full backing band. Konesky and Spiker resumed their roles from the album, and Brooks Wackerman was added as drummer. Each member went under a pseudonym; Konesky as the Antichrist, Spiker as Charlie Chaplin and Wackerman as Colonel Sanders.Jason Reed also toured as Satan. Black has said that the band lost money on the tour due to the cost of touring with a full band for the first time.

In November 2006, Gass hinted a desire for Tenacious D to end at their current highpoint and Black expressed wishes to take a year-long break from acting. However, Black commented on a third album by announcing that a new song has been written for it entitled Death Star after the fictional planet-destroying space station from the Star Wars movies. He said that the album would likely be released in 2010, but on other occasions he has mentioned the year 2012. At present, no other details about the new album have been disclosed by Black or Gass. However, the band is due to play the main stage at the 2008 Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK, playing Leeds on Friday August 22 and Reading on Sunday August 24. In addition to this, the band will provide support for Metallica at Marlay Park in Ireland on August 20.

Tenacious D: Musical style

Tenacious D - Lyrics and themes

The Devil Card

Satire and comedy are a major aspect of Tenacious D's lyrical content. Gass said of their approach: "I'd love to do the straight music thing, but that's kind of against our mission, which is to rebel against the serious singer-songwriter mentality." Their songs evoke heavy metal clichés of bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. In particular, the song "Dio" pokes fun at the idea of a torch being passed "Now it's time for him to pass the torch" Songs like "Friendship" parody the lack of real friendship in rock groups with the lyric "As long as there's a record deal, we'll always be friends" Others like songs cover the topic of sex "Kielbasa" discusses anal sex, while "Double Team" boasts of the duo's sexual prowess. Tenacious D also employs the technique of deliberate backmasking on "Karate", a technique employed by other metal bands like Slayer, who recorded a message in Hell Awaits. The band's imagery continues the theme of evil. The front cover of Tenacious D features Black and Gass standing naked below the Devil, a pose Black described as being "schooled by Satan". The image is similar to that shown on the Devil tarot card which symbolizes sexual desire, uncontrolled energy, vice and addiction.

Tenacious D's music has been criticized for its frequent use of profanity. In addition, other critics have described the band as having exhausted the joke of "cock rock".

Tenacious D - Influences

Black has said that the first song he enjoyed was ABBA's "Take a Chance on Me". He attributes influences from Dio, Black Sabbath, Meat Loaf and Bobby McFerrin Gass describes their influences as being derived from "big dinosaurs of rock" such as Led Zeppelin. In addition, Gass lists his influences as being Tom Waits, Tony Hawk and Tony Robbins. The band claimed that the inspiration for the song "Tribute" came after Black played Metallica's "One" for Gass, describing it as "the best song in the world", leading to a failed attempt to themselves write an even better song.

Gass has described Tenacious D's comic assertion that they are the best band as being "ridiculous because it's a matter of opinion". Black characterizes Tenacious D's comic nature as an antidote to "the masculinity of rock", adding "There's also something funny about the macho-ness of rock. Like the bands that are the fucking hardest rocking are like, 'We'll fucking kick your ass, dude... with our rock.'"

Tenacious D: Appearances

Tenacious D - Film and television

Black and Gass first performed together in Bio-Dome (1996), followed by The Cable Guy (1996),, Bongwater (1997), Cradle Will Rock (1999), Saving Silverman (2001) and Shallow Hal (2001), although in none of these appearances were they performing as Tenacious D. Black has starred in a number of films himself including High Fidelity, School of Rock and King Kong. In 2006, Tenacious D starred in their own movie, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, in which they set out to become the greatest rock band in the world, by means of a guitar pick with magical powers.

Black and Gass have made several television appearances performing songs from their first album. In June 16, 2001, Tenacious D were featured as puppets performing "Friendship" on an episode of Crank Yankers. In 2002 they guest starred on MADtv playing the song "Tribute" with Foo Fighters vocalist Dave Grohl on drums. Later, Tenacious D made an appearance in the first episode of Tom Goes to the Mayor televised on Adult Swim. In the run up to the release of the film The Pick of Destiny, Tenacious D performed the "Pick of Destiny" at the 2006 American Music Awards and on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. On 2 December, 2006, Tenacious D was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live for the first time. They also opened the 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards with a performance of "The Metal", and played "Friendship" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.

Tenacious D - Live

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In 2001, Tenacious D started their second nationwide concert tour, performing at larger venues, many of which sold out. Until 2006, Tenacious D usually performed only with acoustic guitars, rarely with a full backing band. The band has also staged two international concert tours as well as numerous domestic tours, though they have rarely played in non-English speaking countries. Black says this is because foreign concerts are "a little funky" because "the subtleties do get lost in translation". In addition, he comments on the angst they experience before concerts saying: "We're always looking for a loophole. Pretty much every concert we've ever done, we're trying to find a way to cancel the show at the last minute." The band permits live recording during concerts. Many of these recordings have been recorded and released through Live Music Archive and are available for free digital download.

The band uses a electronic musical toy saxophone called a Sax-a-boom on-stage. Each of its keys plays a clip of music that sounds almost like a saxophone. The Kawasaki branding is purely for aesthetics; the label issued with the Sax-a-boom says Kawasaki has no role in the manufacture of the toy.

Tenacious D: Politics

Tenacious D are supporters of cannabis legalization, and state this view in the song "City Hall". They have also performed at a NORML benefit concert. According to Black and Gass, Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny features them high on pot during the last scene. Black described his view that if drug use were legalized, the stigma attached to the users-making them, in his words, feel "naughty", would be removed, making drug use seem mundane and less attractive." Black was the executive producer for a documentary about Randy Credico entitled Sixty Spins Around the Sun. It calls for the so-called Rockefeller drug laws to be repealed. Black said of it, "They're populating our prisons with people, you know, first-time drug offenders-single mothers that have a little bit of coke end up going to prison for 20 years or something. It's just cruel and unusual punishment."

In 2004, Tenacious D supported John Kerry during the United States presidential election, by playing a benefit concert for him. Black and Gass have also been critical of George Bush's presidency.

Tenacious D: Other projects

Tenacious D have appeared in numerous music videos by other bands, including "Push" by Dio and "Learn to Fly" by the Foo Fighters. Black has appeared on his own in many music videos, including a cameo alongside Dave Grohl in the music video for the Eagles of Death Metal song "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)", alongside Grohl again in the music video for the Foo Fighters' "Low", and a cameo in the music video for the song "Sexx Laws" by Beck.

In addition to appearing in videos, Black and Gass sang backup vocals on the 2002 Styx album Cyclorama, on the song "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye". Tenacious D lent backing vocals to The Vandals album Look What I Almost Stepped In..., on the song "Fourteen". Tenacious D appeared on KROQ's twelfth full-length Christmas compilation, Swallow My Eggnog, with Sum 41, on a song entitled "Things I Want".

Gass appeared in the Good Charlotte music video for the song "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". Gass also performs lead acoustic guitar and vocals for the band Trainwreck, under the pseudonym "Klip Calhoun". The band also features Jason "JR" Reed under the pseudonym "Darryl Donald", as well as John Konesky and John Spiker, who played lead guitar and bass, respectively, on The Pick of Destiny album. They are currently working on recording an album with producer John King. Black occasionally appears with the band under the name "Tuffy McFuckelby".

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