Harry Shearer is back on the road

Harry Shearer as announced his first solo gig as Spinal Tap’s bassist Derek Smalls. And it’s the Sydney Opera House.

The comic – backed by his band The Surviving Members and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra – will be premiering his ‘multi-media extravaganza’ over two nights in October.

The show is called  Lukewarm Water Live: An Adventure in Loud Music promises musical guests, new songs and Spinal Tap classics.
 
Speaking in character, Smalls said: ‘When they told me I was going to perform at Sydney Opera House, I was really chuffed.  I was halfway through learning the Habanera from Carmen when they told me two things: that was for a soprano, and they want me to play my music.  So I'm going to write some.  Now I'm really chuffed.’

Derek Smalls has described his former bandmates David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel as ‘distinct types of visionaries ... like fire and ice’, saying that he considered his role in the band to be ‘in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water’.  This inspired the name of the new show. 

As Chortle reported earlier this month, Shearer, 73, has been working on an album to go with the tour with guests including Peter Frampton, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Steely Dan singer Donald Fagen.

Tracks reflect the toll of a hard-partying lifestyle at an advanced age, with titles such as It Don’t Get Old, MRI and Memo To Willie, which is about erectile dysfunction.

No other dates have yet been announced, but the show is expected to play the UK at some point.

Published: 26 Jun 2017