Jack Black: “I’m Better Than Anyone Who Reads This Article!”

“I don’t believe in any sex music — I think it gets in the way of the fucking,” announces Jack Black in between bites of lunch at a Mexican restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard. “I prefer silence so I can concentrate. On the fucking.”

For a man who introduced himself to Blender with the warning that his fatigue would preclude a good interview, Black is proving excellent company. Not that the Shallow Hal star isn’t tired, being in the midst of a massive promotional push for his new movie, School of Rock. Equally suitable for small children and large rock fans, the comedy, directed by Richard Linklater, stars Black as a guitarist-turned–substitute teacher who tries to transform his students into a kick-ass metal band.

“In real life, the kid who plays the guitar player is a little encyclopedia of hard rock,” says the 34-year-old comedian, who with his band, Tenacious D, is one of the few movie stars to successfully bridge the actor/musician divide. “He knew everything and then some. Well, you can’t know everything and then some. He just knew more than me; let’s leave it at that.”

Next up for Black? Tenacious D: The Movie!

“It has the potential to be one of the great things of all time,” Black explains, apparently serious. “It’s gonna be on the level of the pyramids. Or the gardens of Babylon. Or the Sasquatch. Was he one of the great wonders?” No.

“Well, anyway, it has the potential to win the Nobel Peace Prize. It starts in my childhood. I’m hoping that we can get Meat Loaf to play my father. Also, Satan is in the movie. That’s all I’m going to say. And that’s too much!”

Sebadoh, Bakesale
Subpop, 1994
“Part of me wanted to make a list with all the ones everyone knows are great albums. But what’s the point of that? So I’m going to recommend things that not everyone’s heard. Sebadoh were at the forefront of the lo-fi movement, which to me just meant they recorded it at home. This is a little more polished. I love it.”


Urge Overkill, The Supersonic Storybook
Go, 1991
“Urge Overkill are my favorite band. I didn’t like this the first 12 times I listened to it, but around the thirteenth time, I realized that it’s better than any album I have. When you listen to it, you wanna jump off a building. Actually, that’s not a good description — it’s just triumphant music.”


Fugazi, 13 Songs
Dischord, 1990
“They are the kings of integrity. Of indie cred. I don’t know if you’re familiar with that term: independent credibility. Sorry, it’s just so overused. Fugazi are vegan, super-left, super-righteous dudes. Whenever me or Kyle [Gass, Black’s Tenacious D bandmate] does something selfless, we always say that we’re ‘pulling a Fugazi.’”


Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Orange
Matador, 1994
“Jon Spencer was a huge influence on me, specifically the shameless self-referencing. That was a huge influence on Tenacious D. A kind of hypnosis takes place: If you keep saying you’re the best, some people are going to believe it. It’s manipulative, but if it’s funny, it’s excusable.”


Nirvana, Bleach
Sub Pop, 1989
“This is the one everyone probably already has. But I mention it because I had Bleach before Nevermind came out. That’s why I’m better than anyone who reads this article. I win because I was there! Sorry — there’s nothing more annoying than people whose thing is that they planted their flag. But I do have a sense of entitlement.”


Meat Puppets, Meat Puppets II
Rykodisc, 1983
“I saw them when I was in high school. The lead singer was playing and staring out into the audience. He put me in a hypnotic state with his magical warlock eyes. They fucking rocked my socks off! Meat Puppets II has got such a tasty barbecue sauce on it. It’s like a delicious barbecued rib.”


Nick Drake, Pink Moon
Hannibal/Rykodisc, 1972
“What can I say about Nick Drake? He’s great driving music. No, wait, that’s not a good compliment at all. If you just want to kick it at home and be mellow, smoke a J and just reflect, you pop in Nick Drake. It’s gonna put you in a good place. Or you might kill yourself. Those are the only two things you can do.”


Firehose, Ragin', Full-On
SST, 1986
“The bass player, Mike Watt, was the main thing. He would play and concentrate so hard. His cheeks would blow out like a blowfish’s. He would exhale so hard that his face would turn red and bulgy with veins. He was the Dizzy Gillespie of underground independent rock. Great music, and a very loveable trio.”


Elliott Smith, Either/Or
Kill Rock Stars, 1997
“I think Elliott Smith might be the best songwriter of the bunch. Fingers crossed, he’s going to make a comeback. His first three albums — which he did for, you know, 20 cents in his Portland studio — are genius. I think he’s like Thom Yorke in that he awakes from a fever dream with a melody lingering in his skull.”


Tenacious D, Tenacious D
Epic, 2001
“I threw this in there because every time I hear it, it makes me cry. I can’t believe the beauty. I know it’s wrong to include my own thing in a list of the 10 best. But fuck it — we’re the best. You should enjoy it now before the follow-up comes out and stinks up the joint.”