Blog #6: A Man Who Can Do Only Right

Most people, if not all, have an idol that they aspire to be. Of course there are heroes, which are more profound by means, but idols are just more fun in value. These iconic people that promote inspiration can be anything including musicians, actors or even writers, and personally, mine is all three. For me, my idol is Jack Black. Born August 28th, 1969 (now 42), Jack Black has had a long and successful career. Which, started with a commercial when he was very young and includes a video game that he fronts even. In my book, a book of many lenient chapters, he can do no wrong. He is clever, funny, talented and most important, he is always himself in everything he does. Whatever role it may be, the interview being conducted, or even just a picture, you can always catch his genuine humor and sincerity.

While Jack Black demonstrates musical talent in many of his films, most find it a surprise he actually does have a band. He along with fellow skilled guitarist and singer Kyle Gass, play together in their band Tenacious D. Kyle Gass you would know from films with Jack Black as well, portraying minor rolls and cameos in Black's films. Anyway, while they are accompanied by other musicians on drums and bass guitar for the most part (like Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters on many occasions), they are the main lyricists and musical influence of the band. To date, with a third on the way, they have two albums. One self titled that was released in 2001, and a second as an accompanying soundtrack to their film, Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny. I have listened to both albums many times through, and I enjoy them greatly. It mixes a great rock and part heavy sound with humorous and daring lyrics. Overall, they are just fun and good songs that my friends and I love to listen to, and very much so, sing along and belt out. Moreover, Tenacious D have two live concert DVD's (The Masterworks Vol. 1 and 2) and a short ran HBO series (episodes now put on the first Masterworks DVD). While Tenacious D is in part very unknown, its fans have a very definitive passion for the music and band. Shown in many ways and through varying signs of support, Tenacious D's fans are known as D-sciples.

Of course too, Jack Black is a big name actor famous for his comedic roles. Many great and successful parts at that, his biggest influence on me though is his blockbuster hit School of Rock. Playing the role of a desperate musician falling on hard times, Dewey Finn was confident in making it big with his band. Unexpectedly finding a new band while he (untruthfully) taught as a substitute, the children were to be his band mates. It was this movie in fact that gave me the motivation to want to play in instrument, a movie I still love and a film I can quote and laugh to the same. Jack Black is the coolest guy to me, with all things he does, and it's a dream of mine I can be something similar one day.