Spinal Tap faced many challenges during their life on the
road -- a drummer that spontaneously exploded, second
billing to an amusement park puppet show, and a 30-inch
Stonehenge replica that was always in danger of being
crushed by a dwarf. Now the faux band, reuniting for the
DVD release of their mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," has
recorded an interview voicing their opinion about Napster.
Labelled "the secret interview," it presents the three band-members in
silhouette to protect their identities, as they offer a succinct summary of the
two positions in the free-music controversy. "Are you in it to communicate
with people or are you in it to get their money? Or to communicate with them
and then get their money..."
The bumbling band-members meander through their opinions about mp3s ("The mp3
format is great for us. Because it sounds crappy. So it makes it easier for
us") as well as a misunderstanding over the phrase "viral marketing." ("Well
you know, mono's a virus...") As a publicity stunt, they've even released an
mp3 of their latest track -- "Back from the Dead" -- on their new music site Tapster.com. It functions just like
Napster, except that it only offers that one file.
Newsbytes quoted band-member Nigel Tufnel as saying "Napster's a bit
complicated, really, what with all of the songs available..."
