Week 9: This is Spın̈al Tap
Tuesday, Week 9, Teviot
1984, Dir: Rob Reiner, Running Time: 82 mins
Starring: Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner
When it comes to the antics of musicians, even Gaga cannot get near to the rock star for audaciousness. Prime example, Keith Moon drove a Lincoln Continental into the swimming pool of a Holiday Inn, after placing dynamite in the toilets. However, it is the 80’s hard rock/ metal band with their delusions of grandeur, big hair, ridiculous songs and overuse of spandex that This is Spın̈al Tap targets right from the very beginning with the delicacy of an Iommi riff and the precision of a Neil Peart drum solo.
The parody begins in the most obvious of places, the name. Motörhead, Mötley Crüe and Blue Öyster Cult are famous for their use of the “Heavy Metal umlaut” in their name. Spinal Tap went one further, placing an umlaut on the ‘n’ in Spınal, even though umlauts are only ever placed above vowels. Crazy right.
David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls and Nigel Tufnel are Spınal Tap, a British metal band, complete with fake accents. On their last legs, the band hopes that new album “Smell the Glove” and a subsequent tour will relaunch their career. Marty DiBergi (Reiner) documents the World Tour, complete with arguments, malfunctioning sets, numerous drummers and ridiculous song titles such as Big Bottom, Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight, Sex Farm and the epic Stonehenge.
The film was so convincing of its portrayal of rock stars that upon initial release many believed the band to be genuine, despite cameos from well known actors such as Billy Crystal. This resulted in Spınal Tap genuinely going on Tour, releasing further albums and, in 2009, playing both Wembley and Glastonbury on their “World Tour”. This is essential viewing for any fans of rock and comedy. Rest assured, we will have the speakers turned up to 11!
Mathew Seccombe