TAPPING INTO THAT COMIC BOND

Spinal Tap worries — in character — about whether the upcoming sequel film will make them look as absolutely ridiculous as the first one did. (Spoiler alert: It will.)

- BY TIM GRIERSON

JASON ARMOND Los Angeles Times

'MA MINUTE into my interview with Spinal Tap and I've already angered vocalist David St. Hubbins. Sitting down with the rock trio, which includes lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel and bassist Derek Smalls, I mention what an honor it is to speak to the legendary group.

“Just slow your roll,” Tap’s frontman barks. “You don’t know it’s a real honor until you start. So start, and you'll find out if it is.” Not an auspicious beginning to an hourlong conversation with England’s loudest and most punctual band. But a bit of testiness is understandable. On this late July morning at Studio 1 Culver, Tap begins its promotional duties for the long-awaited sequel to 1984’s “This Is Spinal Tap,” the documentary that unwittingly revitalized the pioneering metal group's career. The world is wondering if lightning will strike twice, so a lot is on the line for Tap. You can feel the tension as video crews and production personnel dart anxiously through the studio. Earlier in the day, I had separately seen each of the band members preparing for our interview, which was to be in character. Michael McKean, 77, sat in a makeup chair, eyes closed, as the wig that transforms him into St. Hubbins was being fussed over. I accidentally bumped into Harry Shearer, 81, in a conference room, not yet fully decked out as Smalls. And, later, Christopher Guest, 77, was spotted pacing around as Tufnel, speaking in the axman's jabbing working-class English accent to an assistant.

Now, as we all sit together in this quiet side room, the guys are fully Tapped in as the fictional band members, focused on the expectations surrounding this film. Back in 1984, director Marty DiBergi (better known as Rob Reiner) chronicled the trio during their disastrous American tour, one that seemed to signal the group’s death knell. Instead, Spinal Tap have enjoyed many afterlives, occasionally reuniting before dissolving into acrimony again.