Harry Shearer To Release Derek Smalls Solo Album
Rob Reiner’s legendary 1984 film, This Is Spinal Tap, is still every bit as loved three decades after the mockumentary put Spinal Tap on the map. Talking to GQ recently, ‘Big Bottom’ bassist Derek Smalls, a character played by Harry Shearer, has been busy working on a solo album with a working title of Smalls Change. Smalls revealed the titles of several songs, including ‘Memo to Willie’ about erectile dysfunction, ‘MRI’, and ‘It Don’t Get Old’, which is an ode to senior-citizen touring and inspired by “the decaying pleasures of life on the road.” Featuring the likes of Peter Frampton, Steve Vai and Steely Dan’s Donald Fagan (who sings the bridge on ‘Memo to Willie’), Red Hot Chili Pepper Chad Smith also tweeted a photo of himself alongside Dave Grohl and Jim Keltner in the studio while working on the album. Although Shearer’s lawsuit against Vivendi (over allegedly unpaid back royalties) is ongoing and could complicate things, we’re expecting a release later this year followed by a tour.
