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.
Sasquatch
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin' to figure out the sasquatch riddle
Then they figured out it was a missing link
In search of sasquatch - That was a kick ass In search of..
With Leonard nimoy kicking out the jams Hauwww
He captured imaginations of people all around the globe
His legend's ancient in the ancient scribe
Of the Indian tribe (apache tribe)
Scientists have proven that the sasquatch he is real
Take a look at the plaster cast of his foot now you know he's real
Listen real close to the audio tape not human now you know he's real
Couldn't be a man in gorilla suit no fuckin' way now you know he's real
Real real real-real real real really-real real
KG: Don't take this personally, cause it's not about your playing
JB: No Dude, your drumming is kick-ass. It's just that the D it's always just been me and KG
KG: And we're just not comfortable being a power trio. I hope there's no hard feelings
Sasquatch (Sasquatch)
We know your legend's real
Sasquatch (Sasquatch)
We know your love is real
Sasq-oh-uh-eww-ahh-atch (Sasquatch)
You and Tenacious D... are... reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal
Sasquatch: Tell Tenacious D They were kick-ass
Guy: And who should I tell them said that
Sasquatch: Tell them it was Sasqua- Tell them it was a friend.
Guy: OK
JB: Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey
Sasquatch: You know what... you better tell them it was Sasquatch. They won't know what friend you're talking about.
Guy: Ok, Sure.
Sasquatch: See ya.
The lyrics of Tenacious D's "Sasquatch" are a tribute to the legend and existence of Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot. The song begins with a reference to scientists who have attempted to solve the mystery of Sasquatch, which was ultimately thought to be a missing link. The song then speaks of Leonard Nimoy's involvement in a popular 70s TV series called "In Search of..." that explored the legend of Sasquatch. The show, according to the song, captured the imagination of many people worldwide, and Sasquatch's legend is ancient and well-documented in Apache Indian tribe traditions.
The song mentions how scientists have proven Sasquatch's existence through plaster casts of his feet and audio tapes, where it is evident that the creature is not human but unknown. JB and KG of Tenacious D then converse about the band's lineup, with KG reassuring JB that his drumming is excellent. Lastly, the song ends with Sasquatch instructing someone to tell Tenacious D he thinks they are "kick-ass" and to inform them that a friend said so. Sasquatch then reveals that this friend was him.
Line by Line Meaning
There were some scientists
Tryin' to figure out the sasquatch riddle
Then they figured out it was a missing link
Scientists tried to solve the mystery of Sasquatch until they figured out that he was a missing link in human evolution.
In search of sasquatch - That was a kick ass In search of..
With Leonard nimoy kicking out the jams Hauwww
The search for Sasquatch was exciting like a show called 'In Search of ...' hosted by Leonard Nimoy kicking out the jams.
He captured imaginations of people all around the globe
His name was sasquatch so I am told
Sasquatch's legend and name captivated the imagination of many people around the world.
His legend's ancient in the ancient scribe
Of the Indian tribe (apache tribe)
Sasquatch's ancient legend was passed down through the Indian tribe, Apache.
Scientists have proven that the sasquatch he is real
Take a look at the plaster cast of his foot now you know he's real
Listen real close to the audio tape not human now you know he's real
Couldn't be a man in gorilla suit no fuckin' way now you know he's real
Real real real-real real real really-real real
Scientists have proven that Sasquatch is real by examining molds of his foot, audio recordings of his sounds, and concluding it couldn't be a man in a gorilla suit.
KG: Don't take this personally, cause it's not about your playing
JB: No Dude, your drumming is kick-ass. It's just that the D it's always just been me and KG
KG: And we're just not comfortable being a power trio. I hope there's no hard feelings
KG and JB apologize to a bandmate for not wanting to continue as a trio and hope that their feelings won't be hurt.
Sasquatch (Sasquatch)
We know your legend's real
Sasquatch (Sasquatch)
We know your love is real
Sasq-oh-uh-eww-ahh-atch (Sasquatch)
You and Tenacious D... are... reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal
Sasquatch and Tenacious D are both real despite the doubt surrounding both of their existences.
Sasquatch: Tell Tenacious D They were kick-ass
Guy: And who should I tell them said that
Sasquatch: Tell them it was Sasqua- Tell them it was a friend.
Guy: OK
JB: Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey
Sasquatch: You know what... you better tell them it was Sasquatch. They won't know what friend you're talking about.
Guy: Ok, Sure.
Sasquatch: See ya.
Sasquatch wants to compliment Tenacious D but decides to keep it anonymous. He eventually reveals his name and tells the messenger to make sure he's credited for the compliment.
Contributed by Bella W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lee M
The harmony is bang-the-fuck-on. These guys mess around but they're total professionals. Credit due.
PoopMaster5000
they left out the best part! he comes back and says "no you better tell them it was sasquatch, they won't know what friend you're talking about"
jed_beezel
I took away my thumbs up so this would stay at 69 likes
sdabestani
"Oh okay yeah!"
quote unquote
THANK YOU! I never figured what exactly he said there and I just was about to ask.
David Fischetti
Rest in Peace Leonard Nimoy... Keep kicking out those jams!
Ballistic181
One of the most undermined songs of the D. This shit is on point as funny as the song is. Jaybles and kage rock like the songs of old when music was good.
H Berdillo
Why isn't this on the album? Fuck.
Rack Skrech
I know im late. But there is a album its called "d-sides" it has lots more go gitiiit
Nick Stevans
Honestly lol