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albums
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- Tenacious D (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2001
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- The Pick Of Destiny (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2006
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- The Pick Of Destiny (Edited)
- Released 2006
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- Tenacious D (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2001
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biography
Rightfully hailed as "the greatest band on Earth," the super-sized acoustic metal/comedy duo Tenacious D was an unlikely success story. Actually, Tenacious D was probably so successful precisely because they were so unlikely: few people would imagine that two chunky guys bashing on acoustic guitars, singing songs like a tribute to the greatest song in the world (because they forgot how the greatest song in the world went after conquering the Devil with it) became one of the biggest cult bands of the late '90s and 2000s. But the sheer charisma, humor, and energy -- not to mention inspired songwriting -- of singers/guitarists/actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass (aka JB, Jables, KG, and Kage, among other aliases) took them from L.A.'s underground comedy scene to their own series on HBO and a major-label album deal.
The crazed, wide-ranging sense of humor and intensity that Black brought to Tenacious D also made him a sought-after character actor, appearing in films like Bob Roberts, The Cable Guy, and Saving Silverman; Gass' film career includes supporting roles in Jacob's Ladder, Idle Hands, and Evolution. Similarly, the D's act showcased Black's theatrical, versatile vocals and Gass' deft support on the guitar in seemingly stream-of-consciousness songs about smoking pot, the duo's musical and sexual prowess, and subjects straight out of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as in equally absurd and inventive sketches.
The duo met at an acting class and began playing together in 1994, making their live debut later that year at Al's Bar, playing just one number, the aforementioned homage to the world's greatest song, "Tribute." In the audience that night was comedian/actor David Cross, who invited Black and Gass to appear with him and other like-minded performers such as Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo in a series of alternative comedy shows. The D soon headlined shows at venues like Pedro's and Largo, planting the seeds of a die-hard cult following; not even their inauspicious film debut in 1996's Bio-Dome slowed their momentum. The following year, their appearances on Bob Odenkirk and Cross' brilliant HBO sketch comedy program Mr. Show With Bob and David and a 1998 performance of "Sex Supreme" -- which sang the praises of a ménage à trois with KG and JB -- on Saturday Night Live hinted at the duo's just-beneath-the surface popularity, which began to rise into the mainstream with the group's 1999 HBO series. Though it lasted just three episodes, Tenacious D included, among other adventures, the group's search for "Inspirato," the cosmic creative force; the love triangle between Black, Gass, and a heavily pierced, Satanic clog dancer who threatened to destroy the group; and the discovery of Lee, Tenacious D's biggest fan. More of the D's brilliantly dumb songs debuted on the show, and fans began trading and auctioning video and audiotapes of Tenacious D. The duo also played opening gigs for friends like Beck, Pearl Jam, and the Foo Fighters and embarked on their first full-fledged tour; Epic won a bidding war to sign the group. In 2000, Black's popularity and prominence as an actor grew with roles in films like Jesus' Son and, especially, High Fidelity, where his turn as the larger-than-life record store clerk Barry made him a bona-fide star. Meanwhile, the group worked on a self-titled debut album with the Dust Brothers, Dave Grohl, Phish's Page McConnell, Redd Kross' Steve McDonald, and other friends.
In 2001, the D's momentum hit critical mass: The group set out on their second nationwide tour, playing significantly larger venues than before and selling out many of their dates. And, despite an attempt to recall Tenacious D at the last moment because of its back cover, which depicted two babies chained to an altar, their debut entered the charts at a surprisingly strong number 33. Meanwhile, Spumco, the production company of Ren & Stimpy mastermind John K., crafted an appropriately witty and raunchy video for the single "Fuck Her Gently," and, last but not least, the duo continued work on a Tenacious D movie. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
The crazed, wide-ranging sense of humor and intensity that Black brought to Tenacious D also made him a sought-after character actor, appearing in films like Bob Roberts, The Cable Guy, and Saving Silverman; Gass' film career includes supporting roles in Jacob's Ladder, Idle Hands, and Evolution. Similarly, the D's act showcased Black's theatrical, versatile vocals and Gass' deft support on the guitar in seemingly stream-of-consciousness songs about smoking pot, the duo's musical and sexual prowess, and subjects straight out of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as in equally absurd and inventive sketches.
The duo met at an acting class and began playing together in 1994, making their live debut later that year at Al's Bar, playing just one number, the aforementioned homage to the world's greatest song, "Tribute." In the audience that night was comedian/actor David Cross, who invited Black and Gass to appear with him and other like-minded performers such as Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo in a series of alternative comedy shows. The D soon headlined shows at venues like Pedro's and Largo, planting the seeds of a die-hard cult following; not even their inauspicious film debut in 1996's Bio-Dome slowed their momentum. The following year, their appearances on Bob Odenkirk and Cross' brilliant HBO sketch comedy program Mr. Show With Bob and David and a 1998 performance of "Sex Supreme" -- which sang the praises of a ménage à trois with KG and JB -- on Saturday Night Live hinted at the duo's just-beneath-the surface popularity, which began to rise into the mainstream with the group's 1999 HBO series. Though it lasted just three episodes, Tenacious D included, among other adventures, the group's search for "Inspirato," the cosmic creative force; the love triangle between Black, Gass, and a heavily pierced, Satanic clog dancer who threatened to destroy the group; and the discovery of Lee, Tenacious D's biggest fan. More of the D's brilliantly dumb songs debuted on the show, and fans began trading and auctioning video and audiotapes of Tenacious D. The duo also played opening gigs for friends like Beck, Pearl Jam, and the Foo Fighters and embarked on their first full-fledged tour; Epic won a bidding war to sign the group. In 2000, Black's popularity and prominence as an actor grew with roles in films like Jesus' Son and, especially, High Fidelity, where his turn as the larger-than-life record store clerk Barry made him a bona-fide star. Meanwhile, the group worked on a self-titled debut album with the Dust Brothers, Dave Grohl, Phish's Page McConnell, Redd Kross' Steve McDonald, and other friends.
In 2001, the D's momentum hit critical mass: The group set out on their second nationwide tour, playing significantly larger venues than before and selling out many of their dates. And, despite an attempt to recall Tenacious D at the last moment because of its back cover, which depicted two babies chained to an altar, their debut entered the charts at a surprisingly strong number 33. Meanwhile, Spumco, the production company of Ren & Stimpy mastermind John K., crafted an appropriately witty and raunchy video for the single "Fuck Her Gently," and, last but not least, the duo continued work on a Tenacious D movie. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
news
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Photo:
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- 8/31/2009
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- 1:40 PM
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- Rolling Stone : Tenacious D
- Tenacious D performs on Day 3 of the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, California's Golden Gate Park on August 30, 2009.
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Photo:
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- 8/31/2009
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- 1:39 PM
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- Rolling Stone : Tenacious D
- Tenacious D performs on Day 3 of the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, California's Golden Gate Park on August 30, 2009.
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Photo:
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- 8/11/2009
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- 8:52 AM
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- Rolling Stone : Tenacious D
- Tenacious D began in earnest as an HBO series produced by comic David Cross, and in 2001 — the year Jack Black and Kyle Gass graced the pages …
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Photo:
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- 7/14/2008
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- 3:59 PM
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- Rolling Stone : Tenacious D
- Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D delivered an appropriately bawdy and joyous "Squeeze Box," accompanied by a suggestive black-and-white carto…
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Photo: Jack Black
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- 4/26/2007
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- 5:28 PM
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- Rolling Stone : Tenacious D
- Jack Black attempts to show American Idol contestants the difference between funny over-emoting and schlocky over-emoting, singing Seal's "Kiss From…
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related
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comments
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The D
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- By Phate of Osiris
- 9/10/2009 14:39:20
- I love the D! I hope they come out with another album. I think it's about time fro another album. So JB & KG if you're reading this, please come out with another album.
- Be the first person to rate this comment!
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aaaaiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!!!!!!!
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- By Jabels Begals
- 7/29/2009 21:24:02
- i fell like that dude in POD that had his mind blown off >=D hell ya!!!!! (in a good way.the aie.title is just a shitty impression of jabels when he was screaming at that guy)
- Be the first person to rate this comment!
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I'm in a tenacious d
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- By SHOVEITINDRY
- 6/1/2009 23:58:36
- tribute band. Entitled Thundervag. :)
- 0 out of 2 people
- think this is useful
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Tenacious D
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- By kstanz41
- 4/8/2009 21:57:57
- These guys are as funny as anything. Although they curse a lot, they still make me laugh.
- 2 out of 2 people
- think this is useful
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Pure Awesomeness
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- By MeatLoaf1974
- 2/14/2009 11:28:05
- I can't wait for there next album. Jack Black needs to be in more movies. Like Tropical Thunder, kung foo panda, and many others. Keep up the good wok Tenacious D.
- 3 out of 3 people
- think this is useful
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- 1 - 5 / 14
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