Veteran hard-rock unit noted for their high volume assault and dogged persistence. David St. Hubbins (g) and Nigel Tufnel (lead g) formed nucleus of band, The Originals, Squatney, East London, 1964. Late 1964 founded Thamesmen with Ronnie Pudding (bs, ex-Cheap Dates), and John (Stumpy) Pepys (drums, ex-Leslie Cheswick Soul Explosion). Released "Gimme Some Money" b/w "Cups and Cakes" (Abbey, 1965). Toured extensively in Benelux nations, with Jan van der Kvelk (kybds). Returned in UK as Dutchmen. Period of intense personnel turnover followed, accompanied by wholesale name changes including: Ravebreakers, Doppel Gang, Silver Service, Bisquits, Love Bisquits, Tufnel-St.Hubbins Group. A-Side of first Spïnal Tap single "(Listen to the) Flower People" b/w "Rainy Day Sun" (Megaphone, 1965) penned by Pudding, who left the band to form Pudding People, releasing single "I Am The Music" and album 'I Am More Music' (Megaphone 1967). With replacement Derek Smalls (ex- pioneer all-white Jamaican band Skaface), band recorded first album 'Spinal Tap' (released in the US as 'Spinal Tap Sings "(Listen To The) Flower People" And Other Favorites'), went gold in UK. Sales of follow up album 'We Are All Flower People' were disappointing. Tap toured Europe in support of then hot Matcstick Men, developing harder twin-guitar style. Live recording of landmark appearance at Electric Zoo, Wimpton, UK produced third album, 'Silent But Deadly'. Pepys, suddenly dead in tragedy, replaced by Eric "Stumpy Joe" Childs (ex-Woolcave). Albums recorded by this line-up included: 'Brainhammer', 'Blood To Let', 'Nerve Damage' and 'Intravenus de Milo'. For ambitiously flawed concept LP 'The Sun Never Sweats', Tap hired Ross MacLochness (kybds, ex-Kilt Kids) and replaced "Stumpy Joe", dead in sudden tragedy, with session drummer Peter James Bond. This line-up toured Far East in 1975, released second live album, 'Jap Habit'. MacLochness retired to missionary work in Namibia, later released solo LP, 'Don't Anybody Here Speak English?'. On 'Bent For The Rent', band's late-arriving glitter attempt, Viv Savage (kybds, ex-Aftertaste) came aboard. Press attention was momentarily when band sued Megaphone for back royalties, and label threatened to counter sue, charging "lack of talent". After 'Nice 'n Stinky' from two year old '...Habit' became surprise American hit in 1977, Tap signed with Polymer Records, replaced Bond, who had died with tragic suddenness, with Mick Shrimpton (ex-Eurovision Song Contest house band), released 'Shark Sandwich' (1980) and 'Smell The Glove' (982). Though neither critics' nor a public favorite, Spïnal Tap continues to fill a much needed void.

Or in other words: The most hilarious rock-spoof ever to grace my CD-collection!

SPÏNAL TAP (1984) POLYGRAM/POLYDOR

The first Tap CD was released a couple of years after the movie premiered. I think it was released at the same time the movie was released on video. If you haven't seen the movie, or even worse, you didn't like it, I'll tell you 2 things: 1: You have no sense of humor! 2: Do not buy this record! The CD is packed with songs from the movie, and as a fan of the hilarious spoof on rock and metal (notice that the movie came out in 1982, before the big heavy metal era in the mid-80's, and yet it manages to take the bull by the horns, so to speak), I really get a kick every time I listen to it. It's not a CD you put on just to listen to in the background. Neither is it a record you put on and press the repeat button when you're through listening to it once. Heck I rarely listen to all the tracks in one go. It does get a bit tiresome with too much of this. But the music is actually quite good, and the lyrics are side-splitting fun!

Killer tracks: Hell Hole, Rock And Roll Creation, Stonehenge

BREAK LIKE THE WIND (1992) MCA

After a 10 year hiatus, the mighty Tap returns! I don't know what came first, this album, or the follow movie, 'The Return Of Spïnal Tap'. But where the movie isn't even half the fun the original was, this album is musically better than the first. Much the same can be said about this one too, as it is not an album that gets of the shelves too often, but I do enjoy it for what it is. Song like "The Majesty Of Rock" is just awesome! Also check out the guest musicians on this album! Tap was yet again very popular around this time, and they even appeared in an episode of 'The Simpsons'! Too bad that they were put to rest once again only the year after.

Fun facts: Spïnal Tap did a promo-tour for this album (or was it for the movie?). The gimmick for this tour was to audition drummers. Many famous names showed up during these auditions, and here in Norway, one of the people who tried out was Diesel Dahl (TNT, ex-Tindrum)!!

Killer tracks: Bitch School, The Majesty Of Rock, Break Like The Wind

Derek Smalls guest appearances:

V/A - 'Hear 'n Aid: Stars'

David St. Hubbins guest appearances:

V/A - 'Hear 'n Aid: Stars'