Nov. 28

Imagine if Spinal Tap went out on the road, touring to promote "This is Spinal Tap." Wait, they did that. Whenever Spinal Tap toured - we saw 'em twice, in a club and in an arena - they were promoting the classic rock parody movie, whether it existed in a theater or videotape. (We don't think they had DVDs then.) So, now you've got Tenacious D - the joke-rock offshoot of actors/musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass - out on the road, promoting their new film, "Tenacious D in 'The Pick of Destiny'." In the movie, which opens Nov. 22, JB and KG (that's their names) form a bond in Venice Beach when portly midwesterner J and portly slacker K decide to become the world's greatest rock band. Problem: In order to do so they must steal a magic guitar pick from a museum 300 miles away. Tim Robbins and Ben Stiller appear in the flick, which was written by Black and Gass. In real life, Tenacious D has been on the scene since 1994 after Black and Gass met in an acting class. As Tenacious D - ingenious name mixing a rap-style name with a Marv Albert basketball call - play loud acoustic heavy metal with extreme attitude - songs like "Inspirato" and "Sex Supreme" - and if you go to the Orpheum Nov. 28, you'll no doubt hear those oldies and new schtick from the flick. We find the D obnoxious-funny, over-the-top, smart-dumb and ultimately entertaining. But we've never seen a full-blown live show either, just a truncated set at a WBCN show in Foxborough. Does the joke have this much staying power? Put it this way: Few rock acts with comedy at the core last this long as cult band, to say nothing of crashing its way into the mainstream. Starts at 7:30 p.m. with Neil Hamburger opening. Tickets: $45-$35.

1 Hamilton Place, 617-228-6000 ticketmaster.com