Harry Julius Shearer is an American actor, comedian, radio host, writer, and producer. Born in Los Angeles, California, Shearer began his career as a child actor. From 1969 to 1976, Shearer was a member of The Credibility Gap, a radio comedy group. Following the breakup of the group, Shearer co-wrote the film Real Life (1979) with Albert Brooks and worked as a writer on Martin Mull's television series Fernwood 2 Night.
This Is Spinal Tap is a 1984 American mockumentary film co-written and directed by Rob Reiner. The film stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer as members of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap, who are characterized as "one of England's loudest bands". Reiner plays Martin "Marty" Di Bergi, a documentary filmmaker who follows them on their American tour. The film satirizes the behavior and musical pretensions of rock bands and the perceived hagiographic tendencies of rock documentaries such as The Song Remains the Same (1976) and The Last Waltz (1978), and follows the similar All You Need Is Cash (1978) by the Rutles. Most of its dialogue was improvised and dozens of hours were filmed.
A Mighty Wind is a 2003 American mockumentary comedy film about a folk music reunion concert in which three folk bands reunite for a television performance for the first time in decades. Co-written, directed, and composed by Christopher Guest, the film is widely acknowledged to reference folk music producer Harold Leventhal as the inspiration for the character of Irving Steinbloom and more broadly parodies the American folk music revival of the early 1960s and its personalities.
Hard Core Logo is a 1996 Canadian mockumentary adapted by Noel S. Baker from the novel of the same name by author Michael Turner. The film was directed by Bruce McDonald and illustrates the self-destruction of punk rock. Released in 1996, the film documents a once-popular punk band, Hard Core Logo, comprising lead singer Joe Dick, fame-tempted guitarist Billy Tallent, schizophrenic bass player John Oxenberger, and drummer Pipefitter. Julian Richings plays Bucky Haight, Dick's idol. Several notable punk musicians, including Art Bergmann, Joey Shithead and Joey Ramone, play themselves in cameos. Canadian television personality Terry David Mulligan also has a cameo, playing a fictionalized version of himself.
Break Like the Wind is a 1992 album by the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap. The songs include a range of genres, from the glam metal anthem "Bitch School" down to the skiffle satire of "All the Way Home". The title, and the album's title track, is a double entendre that combines and confuses the idiom "make like the wind" with "break wind", a euphemism for flatulence.
FUBAR is a 2002 Canadian film directed by Michael Dowse and written by Dave Lawrence, Michael Dowse and Paul Spence, following the lives of two lifelong friends and head-bangers, Terry Cahill and Dean Murdoch. It debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. Since its release, it has gained a cult status in North America, particularly in Western Canada.
Spinal Tap is a fictional 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".
Derek Albion Smalls is a fictional character played by Harry Shearer in the spoof rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. He is the bassist for mock British heavy metal group Spinal Tap, playing alongside guitarists Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins, as well as with a plethora of drummers and keyboardists.
"The Otto Show" is the twenty-second episode of the third season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 23, 1992. In the episode, Bart wants to become a rock star after attending a Spinal Tap concert, so Homer and Marge buy him a guitar. He shows the guitar to Otto, who plays it and makes the children late for school. While racing to Springfield Elementary, Otto crashes the school bus and is suspended until he earns a driver's license. Unable to pay his rent, Otto moves in with the Simpsons.
The Michelle Apartments is a 1995 Canadian black comedy film directed by John Pozer and written by Ross Weber.
Steven "Dobby" Dawson is an English bass guitarist and a founder of the heavy metal band Saxon.
Rupert's Land is a Canadian comedy film, directed by Jonathan Tammuz and released in 1998. The film stars Samuel West and Ian Tracey as Rupert and Dale McKay, estranged half-brothers on a road trip from Vancouver to Prince Rupert for their father's funeral. Rupert, who was raised primarily in England after his mother left their father to return home, has become a wealthy lawyer, while Dale, who remained in Canada, is a hard-nosed fisherman and small-time drug dealer, forcing the duo to overcome significant differences as they reconcile.
Back from the Dead is an album by the heavy metal band Spinal Tap. Released on June 16, 2009, it is the first release under the Spinal Tap name since 1992's Break Like the Wind, and this is the most recent Spinal Tap's album to this date.
FUBAR 2 is a 2010 comedy film and the sequel to the 2002 cult film FUBAR. It was released on October 1, 2010, in Canada. It made its world premiere by opening the Midnight Madness program at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.
Fubar Age of Computer is a Canadian mockumentary television series based on the films of the same name. Starring David Lawrence and Paul Spence, the series premiered on Viceland on November 3, 2017 and on Citytv on November 5, 2017.
Mile Zero is a Canadian drama film, directed by Andrew Currie and released in 2001. The film stars Michael Riley as Derek Ridley, a divorced father who abducts his son Will after his ex-wife Allison tries to limit his contact. Currie's intention for the film was to present a nuanced understanding of the emotional vulnerability that might lead a father to act in this manner, neither demonizing him as a mainstream Hollywood film would likely have done nor portraying him as a hero; it was inspired in part by Currie's own emotions about having to spend a year away from his son while studying at the Canadian Film Centre.
David (Dave) Lawrence is a Canadian actor, improviser, and producer. He most recently played Terry on the Trailer Park Boys: Jail series, during its first season. He is best known for his role as the writer, creator and star of the FUBAR franchise.
The Falling is a Canadian thriller drama film, directed by Raul Sanchez Inglis and released in 1998. The film centres on a love triangle between Lars, Karis and Morgan.
Jean-Guy Bouchard is a Canadian actor from Quebec. He is most noted for his role as Tonio in the film Requiem for a Handsome Bastard , for which he received a Genie Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 13th Genie Awards in 1992.
Ross Weber is a Canadian film director and editor from Vancouver, British Columbia.
