.the history of tenacious D
Tenacious D, the greatest band on earth, consists of two musical
visionaries; Jack Black and Kyle Gass. The two first met in 1989 at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As fellow members of the theatre ensemble
known as the Actor's Gang, Jack actually didn't like Kyle very much at first.
At the time, Kyle was the established music guy in the group, and he felt
JB was encroaching upon his territory. But the two eventually worked out
their differences. Kyle even taught Jack how to play guitar, or as in Kyle's
words, "I met him as a young lad, and then I raised him from a pud".
During their time in the Actors Gang, the two starred together in several
productions including Tim Robbins' Carnage. Soon after, the dynamic
duo began playing together in Kyle's apartment at 401 W. Cochran Ave in
LA. Eventually they began a running theater musical sketch that actually
involved a third member named Keith Farley, a member they would "fire"
each night mid-show.
Initially the duo considered calling themselves names such as The Axe
Lords Featuring Gorgonzons Mischief, Pets Are Meat, but in the end they
decided to go with 'Tenacious D', which was actually a basketball phrase
of Marve Alberts'.
After a few months of practicing, the D got their first gig. This momentous
occasion occurred at Al's bar in downtown Los Angeles in 1994. It just so
happened that David Cross, one of the producers of HBO's Mr. Show was
in the audience that night and he liked what he saw. This introduction
eventually led to the creation of a show simply titled; Tenacious D: The
Greatest Band on Earth which appeared on HBO.
The show quickly established cult status, but after six short episodes the
D decided to part ways with HBO. Rumor has it that HBO was trying to
grab the rights to all songs performed on the show. Since then the buzz
generated from the show has led to two albums, two live DVDs,
worldwide sold out arenas, and a feature length movie: Tenacious D in
the Pick of Destiny.
Tenacious D, the greatest band on earth, consists of two musical
visionaries; Jack Black and Kyle Gass. The two first met in 1989 at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As fellow members of the theatre ensemble
known as the Actor's Gang, Jack actually didn't like Kyle very much at first.
At the time, Kyle was the established music guy in the group, and he felt
JB was encroaching upon his territory. But the two eventually worked out
their differences. Kyle even taught Jack how to play guitar, or as in Kyle's
words, "I met him as a young lad, and then I raised him from a pud".
During their time in the Actors Gang, the two starred together in several
productions including Tim Robbins' Carnage. Soon after, the dynamic
duo began playing together in Kyle's apartment at 401 W. Cochran Ave in
LA. Eventually they began a running theater musical sketch that actually
involved a third member named Keith Farley, a member they would "fire"
each night mid-show.
Initially the duo considered calling themselves names such as The Axe
Lords Featuring Gorgonzons Mischief, Pets Are Meat, but in the end they
decided to go with 'Tenacious D', which was actually a basketball phrase
of Marve Alberts'.
After a few months of practicing, the D got their first gig. This momentous
occasion occurred at Al's bar in downtown Los Angeles in 1994. It just so
happened that David Cross, one of the producers of HBO's Mr. Show was
in the audience that night and he liked what he saw. This introduction
eventually led to the creation of a show simply titled; Tenacious D: The
Greatest Band on Earth which appeared on HBO.
The show quickly established cult status, but after six short episodes the
D decided to part ways with HBO. Rumor has it that HBO was trying to
grab the rights to all songs performed on the show. Since then the buzz
generated from the show has led to two albums, two live DVDs,
worldwide sold out arenas, and a feature length movie: Tenacious D in
the Pick of Destiny.
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.jables
Jack Black was born in Hermosa Beach
California on August 28, 1969. As a young
child, JB's parents divorced and he went to
live with his mother (who is now his
accountant). While growing up, JB's
mother rented out rooms in their eight
bedroom home, which actually in part
influenced JB's future career. His earliest
musical influences came from singing
along to Fleetwood Mac and Simon and
Garfunkle records that belonged to a
journalist who was renting out one of the
bedrooms in their home. Although, JB lived
with his mother until he was 24, his acting
career actually started when he was cast in
an Atari commercial at age 13. After high
school, JB originally attended UCLA, but as
you might have guessed, he partied a bit
too hard and ended up leaving. He then
transferred over to the University of
California at Los Angeles as a theater
major. While in college, JB got involved
with the Actor's Gang where he and Kage
met.
.vital stats
Birthdate: August 28, 1969
Birthplace: Hermosa Beach, CA
Education: UCLA, University of CA
Favorite Pos-ish: Mission, doggy, ridem'
cowboy: "I like to mix it up, nothing too
athletic"
Favorite Doctor Seuss Book: The Happy
Birthday Bird
Favorite Underwear: 2(e)xist "tighty whiteys"
Favorite Pastime: Genesis Golf
Primary Guitar: Taylor
Back up Guitar: Gibson, a gift from Neil
Diamond
Jack Black was born in Hermosa Beach
California on August 28, 1969. As a young
child, JB's parents divorced and he went to
live with his mother (who is now his
accountant). While growing up, JB's
mother rented out rooms in their eight
bedroom home, which actually in part
influenced JB's future career. His earliest
musical influences came from singing
along to Fleetwood Mac and Simon and
Garfunkle records that belonged to a
journalist who was renting out one of the
bedrooms in their home. Although, JB lived
with his mother until he was 24, his acting
career actually started when he was cast in
an Atari commercial at age 13. After high
school, JB originally attended UCLA, but as
you might have guessed, he partied a bit
too hard and ended up leaving. He then
transferred over to the University of
California at Los Angeles as a theater
major. While in college, JB got involved
with the Actor's Gang where he and Kage
met.
.vital stats
Birthdate: August 28, 1969
Birthplace: Hermosa Beach, CA
Education: UCLA, University of CA
Favorite Pos-ish: Mission, doggy, ridem'
cowboy: "I like to mix it up, nothing too
athletic"
Favorite Doctor Seuss Book: The Happy
Birthday Bird
Favorite Underwear: 2(e)xist "tighty whiteys"
Favorite Pastime: Genesis Golf
Primary Guitar: Taylor
Back up Guitar: Gibson, a gift from Neil
Diamond
.kage
Kyle Gass grew up in Walnut Creek California.
At age 8, he began playing his first instrument;
the flute. Not long after that, he began playing
the Sax. By age 12, Kyle finally met with
destiny. With no knowledge of where it would
take him, Kyle began playing an old nylon
stringed guitar that his mother had lying around
the house. Although he did have a few brief
stints with guitar lessons, KG for the most part
taught himself how to play. Much like his music
career, Kyle's acting career also started at a
very young age. His first gig came in the form
of a 7up Gold commercial. After graduating
Walnut Creek High school, Kyle went on to
attend UCLA. While in college, Kyle met Tim
Robbins, who recruited him into the Actor's
Gang. Since their first meeting, Kyle has acted
in numerous movies, many of which with JB.
According to Kyle, he likes to think of Tenacious
D as the crown princes of rock or the heavy
metal of folk. KG's most recently joined forces
with the D's right hand man Lee, to create the
country-fried rock band Trainwreck.
.vital stats
Full Name: Kyle Richard Gass
Birth Date: July 14, 1961
Birth Place: Walnut Creek, CA
First Record: Beach Boys; Endless Summer
Musical Influences: Neil Young, Ozzy, The
Beatles, Foo Fighters, Journey, Styx, Oasis
Favorite Food: Jenny Craig Mac and Cheese
Dancing Abilities: Limited
Primary Guitar: Martin D28
Back-up Guitar: Takamine
Favorite Band: Pavement
Pot Smoker?: Yes
Show Preparation: Paces nervously chomping
on Nicorette gum.
Kyle Gass grew up in Walnut Creek California.
At age 8, he began playing his first instrument;
the flute. Not long after that, he began playing
the Sax. By age 12, Kyle finally met with
destiny. With no knowledge of where it would
take him, Kyle began playing an old nylon
stringed guitar that his mother had lying around
the house. Although he did have a few brief
stints with guitar lessons, KG for the most part
taught himself how to play. Much like his music
career, Kyle's acting career also started at a
very young age. His first gig came in the form
of a 7up Gold commercial. After graduating
Walnut Creek High school, Kyle went on to
attend UCLA. While in college, Kyle met Tim
Robbins, who recruited him into the Actor's
Gang. Since their first meeting, Kyle has acted
in numerous movies, many of which with JB.
According to Kyle, he likes to think of Tenacious
D as the crown princes of rock or the heavy
metal of folk. KG's most recently joined forces
with the D's right hand man Lee, to create the
country-fried rock band Trainwreck.
.vital stats
Full Name: Kyle Richard Gass
Birth Date: July 14, 1961
Birth Place: Walnut Creek, CA
First Record: Beach Boys; Endless Summer
Musical Influences: Neil Young, Ozzy, The
Beatles, Foo Fighters, Journey, Styx, Oasis
Favorite Food: Jenny Craig Mac and Cheese
Dancing Abilities: Limited
Primary Guitar: Martin D28
Back-up Guitar: Takamine
Favorite Band: Pavement
Pot Smoker?: Yes
Show Preparation: Paces nervously chomping
on Nicorette gum.
