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.
Karate Schnitzel
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
schnitzel? Hey, wake up. Wake up you asshole, wake up.
KG: Whahahat? Wh?
JB: Wake up.
KG: What?
JB: You ate my fuckin schnitzel.
KG: What?
JB: You ate my fuckin schnitzel.
JB: Yeah?
KG: For anybody that wants to eat it.
JB: Well then maybe this is fair game. WOW!
KG: Ow God, Hey!
JB: Yeah, that's right its a karate chop!
KG: What're ya doin?
JB: Well if you didn't like that, how 'bout this? KIKAY!
KG: OW!
The lyrics of Tenacious D's song Karate Schnitzel depict a humorous argument between the two band members Jack Black (JB) and Kyle Gass (KG) over a missing schnitzel. JB opens the conversation by expressing his hunger and searching for his food in the fridge, only to discover that it's missing. He then confronts KG, who is initially confused and groggy. When JB accuses KG of eating his schnitzel, KG tries to defend himself by stating that anything in the fridge is fair game for anyone to eat.
The argument escalates quickly when JB decides to take justice into his own hands and delivers a karate chop and a kick to KG. The use of karate moves in the song, along with the title "Karate Schnitzel", adds to the humor and absurdity of the situation. The song is meant to be a lighthearted and playful interpretation of a common roommate dispute, with exaggerated actions and lines.
Overall, Karate Schnitzel is a humorous song that highlights the dynamic between the two musicians of Tenacious D. It’s a humorous take on a common argument between roommates all while being coherent with the band's over-the-top, theatrical style.
Line by Line Meaning
God, I'm fuckin hungry. Let me check the fridge...
I am currently experiencing physical hunger that requires me to seek food. I will now proceed to check the refrigerator for sustenance.
Dude, where's my fuckin schnitzel?
I am addressing my acquaintance and inquiring about the current location of my schnitzel, which I possess ownership over.
Hey, wake up. Wake up you asshole, wake up.
I am attempting to awaken my sleeping acquaintance in order to confront them about the disappearance of my schnitzel. My usage of the term 'asshole' is intended to express my frustration.
Whahahat? Wh?
My acquaintance is confused and disoriented after being abruptly woken up.
Wake up.
I am reiterating my request for my acquaintance to awaken and engage in conversation regarding my missing schnitzel.
What?
My acquaintance is still unsure of the situation and requires further clarification.
You ate my fuckin schnitzel.
I am accusing my acquaintance of consuming my schnitzel without permission or consent.
Well it was in there. If you put it in there, then it's fair game.
My acquaintance is expressing that since the schnitzel was present in the refrigerator, it is available to be eaten by anyone, regardless of ownership or consent.
Yeah?
I am challenging my acquaintance's viewpoint on the availability of the schnitzel despite my ownership.
For anybody that wants to eat it.
My acquaintance is reiterating their belief that the schnitzel is available to anyone, regardless of ownership or consent.
Well then maybe this is fair game. WOW!
I am utilizing a physical attack (a karate chop) to express my frustration and retaliate against my acquaintance's consumption of my schnitzel.
Ow God, Hey!
My acquaintance is experiencing physical pain as a result of my retaliatory attack.
Yeah, that's right its a karate chop!
I am reveling in the success of my retaliatory attack and expressing its nature as a karate chop.
What're ya doin?
My acquaintance is expressing confusion and disorientation regarding my actions and motivations.
Well if you didn't like that, how 'bout this? KIKAY!
I am threatening my acquaintance with another physical attack (a kick) in response to their confusion and lack of remorse regarding the consumption of my schnitzel.
OW!
My acquaintance is experiencing additional physical pain as a result of my second retaliatory attack.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kyle Richard Gass, Thomas Jacob Black
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephanieboehringer
Hands off Jack's Schnitzel!
He needs it for watching his figure!
😠
Greetings from Germany. ❤
Du you know how we sometimes call fat tummy's?
Schnitzelfriedhof!
😆
Google, please translate "Friedhof".
@typhoonthunder
Lyrics:
...God, I'm fuckin' hungry. Lemme check the fridge.
Dude, where's my fuckin' schnitzel?
Hey wake up. Wake up, you asshole.
Wake up.
(Groaning) Wake up.
What?
You ate my fuckin' schnitzel. (...Oh)
...What?
You ate my fuckin' schnitzel.
Well, it was IN there. If you put it in there, then it-it's fair game (Yeah?), for anybody who wants to eat it!
Well then, maybe this is fair game, YAAAH (OW! GOD!)
Ok? That's my fuckin' (HEY!) No, yeah. That's right, it's Karate Chop.
What are you doin'?!
Well, if you didn't like that, how about this- GYAH (KYEAH, OW!)
KEE-YIAY (OH)
@Ryan_Carder
Unexpected tenacious d upload is always appreciated
@forgettablelisa
This shit punches me right in the memories.
@zekenotech
"You ate my fluckin' Schnitzel..."
@wesmokeit904
We love classic Tenacious D ❤
@prispome1863
id like to imagine its kung fu panda talking
@zarithayep2968
Po vs monkey
@derrickhoover9359
It is
@joechalmers8935
Beautiful
@DICEplaysGames
If you put it in there then it's fare game for anybody who wants to eat it 🌭 🎮
@Compl3xington
That's what ya freakin' get, GET SCHNIT ON!!!