Spinal Tap is back

[phorbesie]

Apr 25, 8:25 AM (ET)

By JAKE COYLE

NEW YORK (AP) - Spinal Tap is back, and this time the band wants to help save the world from global warming.

The mock heavy metal group immortalized in the 1984 mockumentary, "This is Spinal Tap," will reunite for a performance at Wembley Stadium in London as part of the Live Earth concerts scheduled worldwide for July 7.

The original members of Spinal Tap will be there: guitarist Nigel Tufnel (played by Christopher Guest), singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer). Rob Reiner, who both directed "This is Spinal Tap" and played the fake documentarian Marty DeBergi in the film, will also be in attendance.

A new 15-minute film directed by Reiner on the band's reunion will also play at the opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on Wednesday. The slate for the opening gala, to be hosted by Al Gore, was previously announced, excepting the Reiner short.

The festival is to open with a showing of several global warming-themed short films produced by the SOS (Save Our Selves) campaign. SOS is also putting on the Live Earth concerts, to be held across seven continents.

Reiner spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday to explain the reunion of Spinal Tap - a band always known more as a parody of rock 'n roll excess than environmental awareness.

"They're not that environmentally conscious, but they've heard of global warming," said Reiner, whose other films include "When Harry Met Sally" and "Stand By Me.""Nigel thought it was just because he was wearing too much clothing - that if he just took his jacket off it would be cooler."

Spinal Tap has reunited several times since the film, but hasn't for a number of years. For the band - whose last album was 1992's "Break like the Wind" - the occasion warranted a new single: "Warmer Than Hell."

Reiner provided a sneak peak at the lyrics: "The devil went to Devon, it felt like the fourth degree/ He said, 'Is it hot in here, or is it only me?'"

The director said the new short film explains what the band has been doing with their lives lately. Nigel has been raising miniature horses to race, but can't find jockeys small enough to ride them; David is now a hip-hop producer who also runs a colonic clinic; and Derek is in rehab for addiction to the Internet.

Reiner, 60, has for over 20 years worked with the National Resources Defense Council, an environmental action organization. Though the Spinal Tap reunion will be a lot of laughs, he hopes the SOS short films program and the Live Earth concerts have a substantial effect.

"What I think is going to be nice about this whole effort is there will be marching orders for people," said Reiner. "Not only from a personal standpoint of what individuals can do in their lives, but a macro perspective with respect to the public sector and government."

[phishtaper]

[bouche]

Pumped Up to 11!

[paisley]

NEW YORK (AP) - Spinal Tap is back

but were they ever really gone?

[hamilton]

Cool!

I actually got to see Spinal Tap perform live one time, back at one of those Canada Day celebrations that used to be held at Molson Park in Barrie. They played St. John's, Barrie and Vancouver - all in the same day! They used all the original props, like the mini-sized Stonehenge and such. I'd have to guess at the year - probably '91 or '92. Good times.

[Calamity Jane]

but were they ever really gone?

nope, you could always locate them currently residing under the "where are they now file?"

I have goose bumps! goose bumps! I've had inappropriate heavy metal biker chick fantasies about Nigel for too, too many years

"Nigel thought it [global warming] was just because he was wearing too much clothing - that if he just took his jacket off it would be cooler."

[Kanada Kev]

Cool!

I actually got to see Spinal Tap perform live one time, back at one of those Canada Day celebrations that used to be held at Molson Park in Barrie. They played St. John's, Barrie and Vancouver - all in the same day! They used all the original props, like the mini-sized Stonehenge and such. I'd have to guess at the year - probably '91 or '92. Good times.

Hamilton, i was there too. It was back around 91 or 92. I remember Bryan Adams on the bill. There was another band too ...

I spent most of that day in the beer tent over to the side. Got hammered in the hot sun. Good times

[Kanada Kev]

I guess I really didn't remember the lineup. Here it was:

CFNY and Molson Canadian Rocks present The Great Canadian Party

Molson Park - Barrie - July 1, 1992

* Spinal Tap

* Leslie Spit Treeo

* Slik Toxic

* The Tragically Hip

* Sons of Freedom

* 54-40

* Bootsauce

* Amanda Marshall

* Sass Jordan

[StoneMtn]

NOW I remember why I didn't go to that. I have been kicking myself for 15 years for failing to attend one of those One-Day-Cross-Canada-Tour shows. I remember now, though. I was in Ottawa, and it was Canada Day. I had to prioritize.

In retrospect, though, I probably made the wrong choice. 15 minutes in Molson Park with the Tap would have been much more memorable than whatever it is I did that day in Ottawa.

[AD]

[color:purple]yeah, nothing like a Slik Toxic and Bootsauce show over Canada Day in Ottawa.

[Jaimoe]

Harry Shearer is live on MuchMusic's show Much On Demand at 5pm today.