Spinal Tap (band)
Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:49:02 PM Wikipedia source
Spinal Tap (stylized as Spın̈al Tap, with a dotless letter i and a metal umlaut over the n) are a parody English heavy metal band created by the American comedians and musicians of The T.V. Show, who wrote and performed original songs as the band: Michael McKean, as the lead singer and guitarist David St. Hubbins; Christopher Guest, as the guitarist Nigel Tufnel; and Harry Shearer, as the bassist Derek Smalls. They are characterized as "one of England's loudest bands". Spinal Tap first appeared on the 1979 ABC television sketch comedy pilot The T.V. Show, starring Rob Reiner. The sketch, actually a mock promotional video for the song "Rock and Roll Nightmare", was written by Reiner and the band, and included the songwriter-performer Loudon Wainwright III on keyboards. The band starred in the 1984 mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap and its 2025 sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. To date, they have released four albums: This Is Spinal Tap (1984), the soundtrack of the original film; Break Like the Wind (1992); Back from the Dead (2009); and The End Continues (2025), the soundtrack of the sequel film. In the years following the original film's release, the actors have portrayed the band members at concerts and released music under the Spinal Tap name. Guest, McKean and Shearer toured in the United States in April and May 2009 and performed as Spinal Tap in a "One Night Only World Tour" on June 30, 2009, at Wembley Arena in London, three days after playing the Glastonbury Festival. The trio also portray the fictional American folk music revival band the Folksmen; some Spinal Tap concert appearances have featured Guest, McKean and Shearer opening for Spinal Tap as the Folksmen.
Infobox
Also known as
The Originals, the New Originals, the Thamesmen
Origin
Fictional: EnglandActual: United States
Genres
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Years active
Fictional: 1964–19841991–19922001200720092025Actual: 1979–19841991–199220012007200920192025–present
Labels
Fictional: PolymerMegaphoneActual: PolydorMCAInterscope
Members
David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean)Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest)Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)
Tables
List of albums, with selected chart positions · Discography › Actual discography › Studio albums
US
US
Title
US
Details
AUS
Peak chart positions
CAN
Peak chart positions
UK
This Is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap
Title
This Is Spinal Tap
Details
Released on March 2, 1984 by Polydor
Peak chart positions
121
Peak chart positions
—
Peak chart positions
—
Peak chart positions
—
Break Like the Wind
Break Like the Wind
Title
Break Like the Wind
Details
Released on March 17, 1992 by MCA & Geffen
Peak chart positions
61
Peak chart positions
67
Peak chart positions
44
Peak chart positions
51
Back from the Dead
Back from the Dead
Title
Back from the Dead
Details
Released on June 16, 2009 by Spuzzle & Polymer
Peak chart positions
52
Peak chart positions
76
Peak chart positions
—
Peak chart positions
—
The End Continues
The End Continues
Title
The End Continues
Details
Released on September 11, 2025 by Interscope
Peak chart positions
—
Peak chart positions
—
Peak chart positions
—
Peak chart positions
—
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||
| US | AUS | CAN | UK | ||
| This Is Spinal Tap | Released on March 2, 1984 by Polydor | 121 | — | — | — |
| Break Like the Wind | Released on March 17, 1992 by MCA & Geffen | 61 | 67 | 44 | 51 |
| Back from the Dead | Released on June 16, 2009 by Spuzzle & Polymer | 52 | 76 | — | — |
| The End Continues | Released on September 11, 2025 by Interscope | — | — | — | — |
List of singles, with selected chart positions · Discography › Actual discography › Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
| AUS | UK | |||
| "Christmas with the Devil" / "Christmas with the Devil" (Scratch Mix) (Non-album track) | 1984 | — | — | Break Like the Wind |
| "Hell Hole" / "Big Bottom" | — | — | This Is Spinal Tap | |
| "Bitch School" / "Springtime" | 1992 | 97 | 35 | Break Like the Wind |
| "The Majesty of Rock" / "Stinkin' Up The Great Outdoors" | — | 61 | ||
| "Back from the Dead" | 2000 | — | — | Back from the Dead |
| "Warmer Than Hell" | 2007 | — | — | |
| "Saucy Jack" (free MP3 download from official website) | 2009 | — | — | Non-album single |
| "Sex Farm" (2009) | — | — | Back from the Dead | |
| "Must Crush Barbie" (Derek Smalls solo release) | 2023 | — | — | Non-album single |
| "Stonehenge" (with Elton John) | 2025 | — | — | The End Continues |
List of guest appearances · Discography › Actual discography › Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
| "We Three Kings" | 2015 | Various artists | Lost Christmas 2: Holiday Rarities |
· Discography › Actual solo discography › Derek Smalls
Smalls Change: Meditations Upon Ageing
Smalls Change: Meditations Upon Ageing
Title
Smalls Change: Meditations Upon Ageing
Details
Released on April 13, 2020 by BMG
| Title | Details |
| Smalls Change: Meditations Upon Ageing | Released on April 13, 2020 by BMG |
References
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- DangerousMindshttps://dangerousminds.net/comments/rock_n_roll_nightmare_the_origin_of_spinal_tap
- LiveDailyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090305214814/http://www.livedaily.com/news/15771.html
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- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/articles/news/71906/spinal-tap-stars-exhale-a-mighty-wind
- "The Ultimate SPINAL TAP Discography: Index"https://web.archive.org/web/20141205003945/http://www.steveworek.com/tap/index.html
- Empire Movie Miscellany: Instant Film Buff Status Guaranteedhttps://books.google.com/books?id=t9tQeeP0ICUC&q=spinal+tap+psychedelic&pg=PA94
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- Concert Music, Rock, and Jazz Since 1945: Essays and Analytical Studieshttps://books.google.com/books?id=OhUVusniuzoC&q=stonehenge+spinal+tap+progressive+rock&pg=PA414
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- A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap
- Q Magazine
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- "Tapster"https://web.archive.org/web/20001018130327/http://www.tapster.com/
- The Agehttp://www.theage.com.au/news/film/this-is-climate-change/2007/04/26/1177459821738.html
- The Guardian Weekend
- Grammyhttps://www.grammy.com/artists/spinal-tap/7849
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/spinal-tap/43889
- "Spinal Tap announce 'world tour'"http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7985487.stm
- Philadelphia Daily Newshttps://web.archive.org/web/20090516005137/http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/20090508_Music__Stripped-down__Tap__trio_will_be_rocking_into_town.html
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/28/this-is-spinal-tap-tribeca-film-festival
- Spinal Taphttps://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/spinal-tap-sequel-headed-to-nola-mayfair-witches-back/article_50d1b9d6-c114-11ee-a910-37ae046c1af4.html#:~:text=THIS%20IS%20SPINAL%20TAP%2C%20AGAIN,to%20the%20city's%20film%20office.
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/15/david-kaff-spinal-tap-keyboardist-and-musician-dies-aged-79
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- louderhttps://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-of-hear-n-aid-the-heavy-metal-band-aid
- "Harry Shearer And Judith Owens Talk Spinal Tap, Marriage & The Simpsons"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKBHUSv3TIk
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jul/06/popandrock
- L.A. Weeklyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090305010238/http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/news/spinal-tap-unwigged-and-unplug/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/27/spinal-tap-glastonbury-review
- "Spinal Tap performance highlights"https://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2009/artists/spinaltap/index.shtml#emp
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- Wiredhttps://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/08/spinal-tap-erects-stonehenge-short-on-itunes-only/
- "Shorts International and INgrooves Release Spinal Tap's New Short Film"http://www.screendaily.com/news/shorts-international-and-ingrooves-release-original-spinal-tap-short-on-itunes/5004859.article
- HuffPosthttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-mckean-spinal-tap-deleted-scene_n_634e618ae4b0b7f89f5a257b
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/artist/spinal-tap/chart-history/tlp/
- Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010
- "RPM Top 100 Albums - April 25, 1992"http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.2108.pdf
- "Spinal Tap | full Official Chart History"https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27448/spinal-tap/
- "Saucy Jack, A Free Exclusive Download of a Brand New Track Fresh from the Studio"https://web.archive.org/web/20100117192725/http://www.spinaltap.com/saucyjack/
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThH85HGD6VM Retrieved August 4, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThH85HGD6VM
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk9aThIovMA Retrieved September 10, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk9aThIovMA
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq3YD7fNZTI Retrieved September 10, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq3YD7fNZTI
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsOxgwF9LlM Retrieved September 10, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsOxgwF9LlM
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WWTzQ-mRFw Retrieved September 10, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WWTzQ-mRFw
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qy9xFwWh0g Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qy9xFwWh0g
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zSD_DlzzhA Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zSD_DlzzhA
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQBHwsbHNIQ Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQBHwsbHNIQ
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_x1ztjxGrs Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_x1ztjxGrs
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuBuq2tOxow Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuBuq2tOxow
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiCwjYrH8eY Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiCwjYrH8eY
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL0RisMp3RE Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL0RisMp3RE
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- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXHV_mJgews Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXHV_mJgews
- youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWy72_EKOMg Retrieved September 12, 2025.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWy72_EKOMg
- discogs.com https://www.discogs.com/release/11887999-Derek-Smalls-Smalls-Change-Meditations-Upon-Ageing Retrieved Septemhttps://www.discogs.com/release/11887999-Derek-Smalls-Smalls-Change-Meditations-Upon-Ageing