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.
Throw Down
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holding the rules in his hand
Looked all around
Suddenly found
No one was listening
Now it's time to throw down
Throw down
We throw down
Throw down
Jesus turned water to wine
The star in the sky was a sign
They called him a liar
You're not the messiah
Get out of the temple
Now it's time to throw down
So throw down
Yeah throw down
We throw down
Throw down
And then came a man i can't name
Because if i do I'll be maimed
They'll chop off my head
And then I'll be dead
You know who I'm talking about
It's time to throw down
So throw down
Yeah throw down
We throw down aaah
Throw down
All religions of the world today
We got to leave 'em alone
We got to use our fucking brains today
Before we're gone
Before we're gooone
RIGHT NOW!!!
The three of them fall in the rain
The world was completely insane
Zombie alarms
Nuclear advance
Crazy but I'm fucking that
It's time to throw down
So throw down
Yeah throw down
Throw down yeah
Throw down
The song "Throw Down" by Tenacious D may seem like an upbeat rock song, but behind the melody is a message about the irrelevance of religion and the importance of free thinking. The song is divided into three verses, each one referencing a historical or religious figure that represents a specific viewpoint.
The first verse refers to Moses, who came down from the hill holding the rules in his hand and found that no one was listening. This can be interpreted as a commentary on how religion can become rigid and dogmatic, and how people can become disenchanted with it. The second verse references Jesus, whose miracles were met with skepticism and who was ultimately rejected by the religious authorities of his time. This verse echoes the themes of rejection and disbelief that are also present in the first verse. The third verse is more veiled in its references, but it can be seen as a warning against speaking out against powerful people or institutions.
Throughout the song, the recurring chorus of "throw down" seems to be a call to action for listeners to reject blind adherence to religious dogma and instead use their minds to question and explore their beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Moses came down from the hill
Moses descended from the top of the hill.
Holding the rules in his hand
He held the commandments in his grasp.
Looked all around
Surveyed his surroundings with his eyes.
Suddenly found
Abruptly realized.
No one was listening
No one was paying attention.
Now it's time to throw down
The moment has come to take action.
So throw down
Go ahead and begin the confrontation.
Throw down
Fight fiercely and fearlessly.
We throw down
Together as a team we engage in the conflict.
Throw down
Continue the vigorous and aggressive fight.
Jesus turned water to wine
Jesus transformed H2O into an alcoholic beverage.
The star in the sky was a sign
The celestial body above was an indication.
They called him a liar
They accused him of dishonesty.
You're not the messiah
They denied his status as the promised savior.
Get out of the temple
Leave the holy place immediately.
Now it's time to throw down
The occasion requires taking action.
So throw down
Begin the physical confrontation energetically.
Yeah throw down
Without hesitation engage in the battle.
We throw down aaah
Together, as a group, we will fight fiercely without concern for the consequences.
Throw down
Continue the fight fiercely and fearlessly.
And then came a man i can't name
Then an individual arrived whose identity I cannot reveal.
Because if i do I'll be maimed
If I reveal their identity, I will suffer physical harm.
They'll chop off my head
My head will be separated from my body as punishment.
And then I'll be dead
I will cease to exist once my life ends.
You know who I'm talking about
You are aware of the person to whom I refer.
It's time to throw down
The moment has arrived to initiate the fight aggressively.
All religions of the world today
All currently recognized belief systems worldwide.
We got to leave 'em alone
We must not interfere or engage with those religions.
We got to use our fucking brains today
Our intellect must be employed presently.
Before we're gone
Before we are extinct.
Before we're gooone
Before our presence perishes.
RIGHT NOW!!!
At this very moment!!!
The three of them fall in the rain
The trio tumbles amidst the precipitation.
The world was completely insane
The planet was utterly irrational.
Zombie alarms
Alerts for the undead.
Nuclear advance
Technological development concerning atomic energy.
Crazy but I'm fucking that
Even though it's absurd, I am enthusiastically engaging in sexual intercourse with that situation.
It's time to throw down
It is imperative to engage in a hostile conflict immediately.
So throw down
Begin the battle with ferocity and strength.
Yeah throw down
Without hesitation initiate the fight with a show of dominance.
Throw down yeah
Continue to engage fiercely in physical combat.
Throw down
Keep fighting with strength and courage.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THOMAS JACK BLACK, KYLE RICHARD GASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind