165 - Harry Shearer - Simpsons, Spinal Tap & Can't Take a Hint

Harry Shearer stormed his way into rock n’ roll infamy as bassist Derek Smalls in the rockumentary This is Spinal Tap. He’s also been a recurring voice on the longest-running animated series, The Simpsons, hosted the weekly-syndicated radio program, Le Show, and starred in such films as The Mighty Wind. His recordings have been twice nominated for Grammys for 2007’s Songs of the Pointed and the Pointless, and 2008’s Songs of the Bushmen. Now, Shearer has put together Can’t Take a Hint, an all-star collaboration, featuring Dr. John, Glee’s Jane Lynch, members of Fountains of Wayne, and wife Judith Owen. We talk the inspiration behind songs like “Joe the Plumber,” and “Celebrity Booze Endorser,” as well as touch on the humble beginnings of the legendary Spinal Tap.