Spinal Tap FUQ

version 1.31 updated March 12, 1996

This is a list of frequently unasked questions devoted to Spinal Tap. Send corrections or additions (preferably additions) to mwheeler@gladstone.uoregon.edu

1.0 History:

1.1 When did Spinal Tap begin?
1.2 I've seen "This Is Spinal Tap," but what have they been up to since the movie was made?
1.3 What is a spinal tap?
1.4 What is the band's sign?

2.0 Members:

2.1 Who is Spinal Tap?
2.2 How many drummers have been in Spinal Tap?
2.3 Who writes the music for Spinal Tap?
2.4 What bands were the members in before Spinal Tap?

3.0 Albums:

3.1 How many albums does Spinal Tap have?
3.2 What are the names of the albums?
3.3 Why can't I find most of these albums?
3.4 Isn't "Smell The Glove" and "This is Spinal Tap (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" the same album?

4.0 Singles:

4.1 What are the names of the singles?
4.2 What year were the well-known singles released?

5.0 I Want More:

5.1 Where can I get more info about Spinal Tap?
5.2 Where can I find the "This Is Spinal Tap" CD-ROM or Laserdisc?

1.1 When did Spinal Tap begin?

In 1964 St. Hubbins and Tufnel formed a group called The Originals. The group changed names many times between 1964 and 1967 when they finally settled on Spinal Tap. The New Originals, Thamesmen, Dutchmen, Ravebreakers, Doppel Gang, Silver Service, Bisquits, Love Bisquits, and Tufnel-St. Hubbins Group are some of the names used in this period.

1.2 I've seen "This Is Spinal Tap," but what have they been up to since the movie was made?

David St. Hubbins worked in California teaching children how to play soccer. Sadly ironic considering Derek is the one who always dreamed of working with children.

Nigel Tufnel retreated to England to work on some inventions he'd been thinking of. Amongst these is a folding wine glass. Nigel developed a knack for communicating with animals and adopted a ferret named Trevor.

Derek Smalls took over his father's phone sanitation business. Although business has gone downhill recently because most people realized they could buy some "blue stuff" and sanitize their own phone.

1.3 What is a spinal tap?

According to Dr. Robert Sangster M.D. R.M.S. on alt.fan.spinal-tap:

"Sufferers of slipped disks frequently complain of a flowing sensation between their spine disks,after tranquiliser administration. This is known in medical terms as 'SPINAL TAP', as one can feel the annoying sensation of their intervertebral disks being crushed between the cartiledge tissue connected to the spinal bones."

1.4 What is the band's sign?

The band's sign is Virgo.

2.1 Who is Spinal Tap?

Spinal Tap consists of three primary members: David St. Hubbins (lead guitar); Nigel Tufnel (lead guitar); and Derek Smalls (bass). However there have been many other members, though a complete list is impossible due to a lack of documentation of every member. I believe there have been thirty-nine full-time members; most of whom were in the band between 1964 and 1967. Here is the most complete list:

2.2 How many drummers have been in Spinal Tap?

Nobody knows for sure. But ther have been no more than nineteen, and no less than six. This is based on the above personnel list. Methinks it must be nearer nineteen.

2.3 Who writes the music for Spinal Tap?

Well basically Nigel and David collaborate on compositions, but the role of Derek must not be forgotten. Derek holds the group together. When you have two musical geniuses like Tufnel and St. Hubbins working together there are bound to be temper tantrums; it is Derek's role to keep these to a minimum. Derek has written a Free-Form Jazz Exploration and discussed writing a rock musical with St. Hubbins.

2.4 What bands were the members in before Spinal Tap?

David St. Hubbins was in a skiffle group called The Creatures.
Nigel Tufnel was in a band called Lovely Lads.
Derek Smalls was in an all-white Jamaican band called Skaface.

3.1 How many albums does Spinal Tap have?

Seventeen.

3.2 What are the names of the albums?

Note: "Silent But Deadly" and "Jap Habit" are live albums.

3.3 Why can't I find most of these albums?

All of the albums prior to "Shark Sandwich" were recorded for the Megaphone label. Spinal Tap sued Megaphone for back royalties and Megaphone filed a counter-suit for "lack of talent."

As for "Shark Sandwich" and "Smell The Glove" Polymer Records doesn't exist anymore.

3.4 Isn't "Smell The Glove" and "This Is Spinal Tap (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" the same album?

No. This is a common misconception because the covers are virtually identical. "Smell The Glove" is a studio album consisting of original material and "This Is Spinal Tap" is a greatest hits collection. The two albums have only one song in common, "Hell Hole," which is remarkable because Ian (their manager) said (in reference to "Smell The Glove"): "every cut on this album is a hit."

4.1 What are the names of the singles?

Here are the songs listed in the commercial for "Heavy Metal Memories":

Note: Though these may not have all been singles, they are all favourites.

4.2 What year were some of the well-known singles released?

Note: "Gimme Some Money", "Cups And Cakes", and "America" never appeared on a studio album.

5.1 Where can I get more info about Spinal Tap?

The official Spinal Tap page is located at http://www.spinaltap.com/.

There are several web pages dedicated to Spinal Tap on the web and these can be good for information. But far and away the best source is the Spinal Tap Zine, produced by Chip Rowe, to learn about it go to URL http://thetransom.com/chip/tap/index.html The Spinal Tap Zine is nearly 80 pages of facts about everything Tap. It is an A to Zed guide containing everything you could possibly want to know about Spinal Tap and quite a bit more. All this for only $5. So run, don't walk to Chip's page so you can order your own copy. Without the zine this FUQ would be impossible.

5.2 Where can I find the "This Is Spinal Tap" CD-ROM or Laserdisc?

At the Voyager web page http://www.voyagerco.com/spinaltap/indepth/ for Spinal Tap. That page should answer all your questions about it too.