Tenacious D (often referred to as "The D" and sometimes introduced as "The … Read Full Bio ↴Tenacious D (often referred to as "The D" and sometimes introduced as "The Greatest Band in the world. Period.") is an American satirical rock duo formed by musicians and actors Kyle Gass and Jack Black in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Their music fuses vulgar absurdist comedy with rock music in a style that critics have described as "mock rock". The band first gained reputation in 1999, starring in a self-titled HBO TV series. The drumming on both of their albums and the devils voice on the track Beelzeboss (also the one who plays Satan in The Pick of Destiny movie) was performed by Dave Grohl (of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Them Crooked Vultures fame).
Tenacious D's music showcases Black's theatrical vocal delivery and Gass' acoustic guitar playing abilities. Their songs discuss the duo's purported musical and sexual prowess, as well as their friendship and cannabis usage. Their debut self-titled album features absurd and humorous sketches. Music critics have compared the storyteller-style lyrics of their songs to lyrics of rock opera. In addition, they have since recorded two albums, and starred in their own movie, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.
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.
TV series:
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.
Lyrics and themes:
The Devil CardSatire 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" Other songs cover the topic of sex; "Kielbasa" discusses anal sex, while "Double Team" boasts of the duos sexual prowess. Tenacious D also employs the technique of deliberate backmasking on "Karate", a technique synonymous with bands like Slayer, who recorded a message in Hell Awaits.. The band's imagery also continues the theme of evil. The front cover of Tenacious D features Black and Gass standing naked below the Devil. Black described it as he and Gass being "schooled by Satan". The pose is similar to that shown on the Devil tarot card. The Devil card signifies 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".
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 is featured in the highly anticipated video game "Guitar Hero III". `The Metal' is prominently featured in the game's trailer released at E3 2007.
Tenacious D also did backing vocals on the Styx song "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye". It can be found on the album "Cyclorama" from 2003.
They were included in Rock Band 2 with their song "Master Exploder".
In October of 2009 Jack Black starred as roadie Eddie Riggs in the open world video game Brütal Legend by Double Fine Productions on the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3.
Tenacious D's music showcases Black's theatrical vocal delivery and Gass' acoustic guitar playing abilities. Their songs discuss the duo's purported musical and sexual prowess, as well as their friendship and cannabis usage. Their debut self-titled album features absurd and humorous sketches. Music critics have compared the storyteller-style lyrics of their songs to lyrics of rock opera. In addition, they have since recorded two albums, and starred in their own movie, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.
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.
TV series:
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.
Lyrics and themes:
The Devil CardSatire 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" Other songs cover the topic of sex; "Kielbasa" discusses anal sex, while "Double Team" boasts of the duos sexual prowess. Tenacious D also employs the technique of deliberate backmasking on "Karate", a technique synonymous with bands like Slayer, who recorded a message in Hell Awaits.. The band's imagery also continues the theme of evil. The front cover of Tenacious D features Black and Gass standing naked below the Devil. Black described it as he and Gass being "schooled by Satan". The pose is similar to that shown on the Devil tarot card. The Devil card signifies 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".
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 is featured in the highly anticipated video game "Guitar Hero III". `The Metal' is prominently featured in the game's trailer released at E3 2007.
Tenacious D also did backing vocals on the Styx song "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye". It can be found on the album "Cyclorama" from 2003.
They were included in Rock Band 2 with their song "Master Exploder".
In October of 2009 Jack Black starred as roadie Eddie Riggs in the open world video game Brütal Legend by Double Fine Productions on the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3.
Inward Singing
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(spoken)
JB: Oh my god. Oh my god, I've done it. Kage, come here, I want you!
KG: What, what? God! Sleeping dude!
JB: Oh my god, I did it. I done it, I fuckin' did it, dude. The most powerful tool in singing technology since yodelling, dude. Oh my god, inward singing.
KG: What?
JB: Check it out, its an invention and it makes non-stop rocking possible. Think about it, man, rock singers are only rocking you half the time. The other time they're, they're, they're breathing, in! But not any more, baby! Not with inward singing, check it out!
(singing)
And then I start some lyrics,
And you can't believe I'm singing,
And I'm never fucking stopping And I I'm always fucking singing and now you know that I will never stop this fucking singing.
I'm like a fucking one man band,
I'm like a fucking one man band.
(spoken)
JB: And I can sing like that all fucking night.
KG: Wow. Wasn't really non-stop though. There was a slight-
JB: Ah, shuddap! It is non-stop! And other thing is, that when I'm fucking singing in, it sounds even better than when I'm singing out! Ah, shut up! Fuck you! You fucking dick! Always naysaying! Everything I create! You piece of shit! You create something like inward singing! You fucking shit! You fucking sit in your tower! Fucking na- What's funny? You fucking bitch! Fuckin', fuckout! Fuckin' cocky ass! You're fired from the band.
KG: Ehm, that won't be necessary, Jack.
JB: Why?
KG: I'm quitting.
JB: What?
JB: Oh my god. Oh my god, I've done it. Kage, come here, I want you!
KG: What, what? God! Sleeping dude!
JB: Oh my god, I did it. I done it, I fuckin' did it, dude. The most powerful tool in singing technology since yodelling, dude. Oh my god, inward singing.
KG: What?
JB: Check it out, its an invention and it makes non-stop rocking possible. Think about it, man, rock singers are only rocking you half the time. The other time they're, they're, they're breathing, in! But not any more, baby! Not with inward singing, check it out!
(singing)
And you can't believe I'm singing,
And I'm never fucking stopping And I I'm always fucking singing and now you know that I will never stop this fucking singing.
I'm like a fucking one man band,
I'm like a fucking one man band.
(spoken)
JB: And I can sing like that all fucking night.
KG: Wow. Wasn't really non-stop though. There was a slight-
JB: Ah, shuddap! It is non-stop! And other thing is, that when I'm fucking singing in, it sounds even better than when I'm singing out! Ah, shut up! Fuck you! You fucking dick! Always naysaying! Everything I create! You piece of shit! You create something like inward singing! You fucking shit! You fucking sit in your tower! Fucking na- What's funny? You fucking bitch! Fuckin', fuckout! Fuckin' cocky ass! You're fired from the band.
KG: Ehm, that won't be necessary, Jack.
JB: Why?
KG: I'm quitting.
JB: What?
The lyrics of Tenacious D's song "Inward Singing" begin with an excited JB (Jack Black) informing Kage (Kyle Gass) of the most powerful tool in singing technology - "inward singing". He explains that it allows non-stop rocking, eliminating the need for rock singers to take breaks to breathe. JB then proceeds to demonstrate this technique, singing continuously, without pausing for breath. He boasts of being like a one-man band and claims that he can sing like that all night.
However, Kage is less than enthusiastic and points out a slight pause in JB's singing. This leads to an argument between the two, with JB getting defensive and insulting Kage. Kage, in turn, announces his resignation from the band.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a comment on the pressures of the music industry to constantly perform and perfect one's craft, with JB's inward singing representing a never-ending pursuit of perfection. It also touches on the fragile egos and toxic relationships that can develop within a band, with Kage's resignation serving as a reminder of the importance of healthy communication and respect among bandmates.
Line by Line Meaning
And then I start some lyrics,
I begin to sing the lyrics of the song.
And you can't believe I'm singing,
The listener is in disbelief that I'm able to sing in the way that I am.
And I'm never fucking stopping
I am singing continuously, without any breaks or interruptions.
And I I'm always fucking singing
My singing is constant and unrelenting.
and now you know that I will never stop this fucking singing.
I am determined to keep singing in this manner and will never stop.
I'm like a fucking one man band,
I am able to create the sound of multiple instruments with just my voice.
I'm like a fucking one man band.
I am repeating that I am able to create the sound of multiple instruments with just my voice.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kyle Richard Gass, Thomas Jacob Black
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@DapuffStuff
Little did these 2 know they'd create the main inspirations for early cartoon edits and YTPs with Jack Black swearing his ass off
@z3v..
me
@ultimateeick2910
Honestly my favorite part is when he breaks from the script and goes “what’s funny?” after Kyle starts laughing
@delmarquisclark1590
honestly the best part 😂 "Whats Funny" like milliseconds of him laughing 😂
@blakejordan8949
Everyone please rise for the national anthem of spongebob edited videos.
@glitchedblood
and early YTPs too
@Fatninja479
What??
@SparkOfDemons
🧍♂️
@BlusterTheBenevolent
@@Fatninja479>he doesn’t know
@JohnDoe-et5bq
bro doesnt know 💀@@Fatninja479