Spinal Tap, the iconic mockumentary creation that remains one of rock’s most influential bands, has returned to stump audiences over again with their humorous musical prowess. For nearly 50 years, their catalogue ownership has been dispersed like confetti. At one point, it even ended up in the hands of nefarious actors, such as Iranian operatives. The band’s progress is evident across the album’s two decades of history. It stitches together a captivating tale of an amazing story filled with weirdness and cultural critique.
Having first formed in 1966, Spinal Tap launched their brand new career cutting their teeth in the notoriously punishing circuit of the Benelux clubs. David St Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel childhood friends since childhood, raised in the poverty-stricken siege of Squatney. They honed their live act to a fine point before cutting their live album “Silent But Deadly” in 1969. This album features the infamous two hour long guitar wank off “Short and Sweet.” With skillful editing, we got it down to a tight just-under-19 minutes.
Even with their incredible talent, Spinal Tap encountered a veritable buffet of other difficulties. Just like Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” their anthemic songs invited misinterpretation. Their 1992 single, “The Majesty of Rock,” was their biggest hit. Today, the song is regarded as one of the greatest singles of its era. For nearly four decades, legal battles with their old label, Megaphone, left the band’s catalog largely unavailable. In fact, Megaphone went so far as to prevent them from releasing any future recordings.
The convoluted circumstances surrounding Spinal Tap’s catalogue ownership only add to their mystique. At one time, it was even overtaken by shady Iranian proxies. Ian Faith, their former manager, went as far as faking his own death. He then gifted their lyrics to a ton of other karaoke and disco has-beens, like Mario Andretti and Billie Jean King. This strange turn of events is a real testament to the disheveled and ever-changing world that is the music business today.
“Silent But Deadly was an ironic title,” – David St Hubbins
Ian Faith’s daughter Hope Faith organized Spinal Tap’s reunion, which was chronicled in Marty DiBergi’s independent documentary film. This documentary honors the band’s incredible legacy. More than any self-congratulatory wall plaque, it pays tribute to the deep legacy they’ve crafted over the course of their long careers. At this point, Nigel Tufnel would derisively point out that they were all the way down at the bottom of the charts.
“We might be in mid-League One. With the hope of moving up, but the assurance that you’re not going to go down to the Northern League. I’d say 77th,” – Nigel Tufnel
This self-reflective commentary showcases Spinal Tap’s ability to blend humor with an honest assessment of their place within the music landscape. They’re the first to admit that their music has always been extremely niche but undeniably influential.
Filtering their current creative process through the lens of their formative years unleashes something wondrous and terrible. St Hubbins flashed an unexpected insight. He illustrated that point by describing how a fourth verse of one tune, which went in a somewhat surprise direction about spaying and neutering. This contrast of dark themes with comedic undercurrents is on display throughout Spinal Tap and is a signature facet of the film’s charm.
“There was a fourth verse, which was specifically about spaying and neutering,” – David St Hubbins
Furthermore, Tufnel’s musings on various topics often provide a window into his unique perspective on life and music. He too had speculated on the idea of polar opposites and reverse magnetism on science.
“If you look at science – and it’s in all the books – people look at it and they say: ‘Look what it says here.’ Polar opposites, reverse magnetism,” – Nigel Tufnel
Spinal Tap is often most praised for how skillfully it traverses the ridiculous intricacies of the music business. As passionate story-tellers, they approach their craft with relentless zeal. Even when dealing with fiscal cliffs or the political machinations of Big Tobacco, they can’t help but joke about it.
“Listen,” St Hubbins says, “we’ve got their money and they can take away whatever they want. Hopefully, some merchandise.”
First, from the influences to the recognition of others that made moves to create what eventually became Wu-Tang’s legendary sound. As guitarist, vocalist and comedian St Hubbins once said, they couldn’t establish a foundation without titans like They Might Be Giants standing on their shoulders.
“We’re standing on the shoulders of They Might Be Giants,” – David St Hubbins
Despite the high points and low points of their entire career arc, Spinal Tap has created a large, lasting and important legacy in popular culture. Even if their songs are just a few minutes long, they have a real and lasting impact on listeners.