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Tenacious D
Tenacious D, or "The D" as they are also known by fans, is an American satirical rock band duo composed of musician/actors Kyle Gass and Jack Black.Their music fuses vulgar absurdist comedy with rock music in a style that critics have described as "mock rock".
Tenacious D's music showcases Black's theatrical vocals and Gass' acoustic guitar playing abilities. Many of their songs discuss the duo's purported musical and sexual prowess, as well as their friendship and intake of cannabis. Their albums feature absurd and humorous sketches. Music critics have compared the storyteller-style lyrics of their songs to lyrics of rock opera.
The band first gained popularity in 1999 when they starred in the self-titled Tenacious D, a television series on HBO, in which Black and Gass attempted to establish themselves as the "Greatest Band on Earth". The series airs occasionally on Comedy Central and is available on their DVD, The Complete Masterworks. In addition, they have since recorded two albums, and starred in their own movie, Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny.
Early Days
Black and Gass, at the time respectively aged 16 and 24, met in Edinburgh, Scotland during the Edinburgh Fringe. Both at the time were members of the Los Angeles-based theatre troupe, The Actors' Gang. While Gass initially felt threatened by Black, they eventually worked out their differences, and formed a band.
The band's name was derived from a term used by sports commentator Marv Albert about the tenacious defense of the NBA's New York Knicks. The name was 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. Attending that performance was David Cross; the performance led him to cast Tenacious D in his sketch comedy television series, Mr. Show.
While they can both sing and play the guitar – Gass taught Black to play in exchange for Black's helping him with his acting – Black is billed as lead singer and Gass as lead guitarist.