One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Spinal Tap Goes Unwigged & Unplugged
Yesterday The House of Blues on Sunset was host to a press conference with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. The trio, known as both Spinal Tap and The Folksmen, announced their upcoming Unwigged & Unplugged tour and offered a little taste of what to expect. For the upcoming shows, the musicians come "out from behind the hair, the facial hair, and the absence of hair" to perform songs including hits from Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind. The tour kicks off April 17th in Vancouver and arrives at The Wiltern on April 26th.
But wait! Don't call yet - there's more! The group also announced an upcoming Spinal Tap studio album, since all of the Spinal Tap music thus far has been recorded live. How much would you pay? There is also the promise of bonus tracks. But wait! It's not out yet, so you kind of have to wait. Maybe March. Maybe April. We'll let you know. You can put the phone down now.
The performance yesterday included a medley of Tap songs and a Folksmen tune as well as a few other nuggets. Not only is it hilarious to hear songs like "Hell Hole" sung with feeling, but the beatbox on "Sex Farm" is inspired. The band's harmonies are just so spot-on, they can get away with anything -- not only the Folksmen's American folk songs -- but even Irish songs of freedom.
Speaking of freedom, Kurt Loder was unchained from the Rolling Stone dungeon long enough to conduct a thoughtful and informative interview. In addition, questions were fielded from the audience. It was really more of an informal conversation. LAist brought up special effects, exploding drummers, Harry Shearer's dayglo shirt and Obama's take on Afghanistan.
After the press conference, We asked our trademark question:
What is your favorite place to eat in Los Angeles?
Christopher Guest: Millie's
Michael McKean: Main Street Diner
Harry Shearer: Josie's in Santa Monica
Video courtesy of www.unwigged.com
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
