Spinal Tap forgoes the spandex

Michael McKean has never performed in Houston. So perhaps we are lucky that the first time McKean performs here, he will do so without a wig, without a spandex pant, without the trappings of Spinal Tap.

The trio -- McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer -- appears Friday night at Jones Hall House of Blues to perform songs from Tap, A Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman and more on a tour that they're calling "Unwigged & Unplugged [1]."

I spoke to McKean (David St. Hubbins, to those who refuse to believe Spinal Tap is fake) earlier this month. Courtesy photo: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer will perform songs from Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind and more 8 p.m. Friday at House of Blues.

29-95: Does this acoustic presentation change the humor of a bombastic Spinal Tap song?

Michael McKean: A lot of the stuff that we do sounds born again (when done acoustically). There's a song we do called Majesty of Rock, which is a big power ballad and we strip it down to two guitars and a bass and it has this whole other thing; it's even more anthemic somehow.

29-95: How upsetting was it that you couldn't do Sex Farm on the Tonight Show earlier this month?

MM: We had a feeling there might be a problem, so we had a backup. I just think they got a little dizzy about it. What really surprised us was going on NPR and having the same reaction. Someone in the front office decided it wasn't right -- someone might spill their latte.

29-95: When was the last time you did an extensive tour with your bandmates? How are the living conditions different now?

MM: 1992. The buses are better than they were back then. They used to have an Edgar Allan Poe feel to them. Now there's a hookup for an iPod and a DVD player. One of the reasons for not taking all the costumes and makeup people is that we wanted to have fewer headaches, so we plan on having fun.

29-95: Is there a bit of Spinal Tap that you don't get quoted to you that you think is hilarious?

MM: There's a ramble near the end of the movie where Derek (Harry Shearer) and I are having a conversation on the roof of the Hyatt in Los Angeles at a party and we're talking about Saucy Jack [2] and I do this whole thing about life and the afterlife and reality and infinity and it was complete b.s., but a guy at Harper's magazine actually used it at the beginning of an article about infinity and our perceptions. I thought that was the coolest thing.

29-95: Is it tragic or wonderful that fledgling bands consider Spinal Tap heroes?

MM: I think it's great. We're not real heroes like, oh, Lemmy from Motorhead [3]. That's a real hero. There's a lot of bands out there that just hang in there and don't sell a lot of records. Marah [4] -- nobody knows that band, but they're a great band. I just think that everyone has to look beyond the big headlines and the hype and find their own crush. If people feel that they're changing music by voting on Tuesday or Wednesday nights or whatever they do, they're kidding themselves. Kids who come up and have some disappointments and are told their stuff isn't commercial and they're never gonna make it, they're the ones who should hang in there the most because they're probably different enough to be special.

29-95: Switching to A Mighty Wind; is there something inherently funny about folk music?

MM: I think that anything that is sufficiently earnest is ridiculous.

29-95: A Mighty Wind has some sad moments. Is it hard to balance a character like Mitch (played by Eugene Levy) with comedy?

A Mighty Wind's Mitch (Eugene Levy). Photo: Warner Bros.MM: His character is one of the saddest creatures you've ever seen in a comedy. My wife [Annette O'Toole] and I wrote the song for Mitch and Mickey [A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.] We meant it to be a straight, old-sounding piece of folk music. There are no jokes in it. In fact, it kind of gave [director Christpher Guest] pause. But he used it beautifully in the movie. It's not easy, but it's short of pathos because it doesn't ask that you really be devastated by it. I don't think it's difficult if you're sincere on both ends.

29-95: Do you prefer to jam with headbangers or folk singers?

MM: [Laughs.] It depends. It's always fun to be up on a stage and make a lot of noise. Listen, I still love Louie, Louie. Here it is 40 years later and I'm still turning that song up. I know it's not good music, but here we are.

29-95: Which do you have more of on your iPod?

MM: I probably have more They Might Be Giants than anything. I have everything they have ever done -- including their podcasts. I have a ton of Elvis Costello, a lot of Richard Thompson, June Tabor. I have a lot of old jazz. I do have some rock. I like Arctic Monkeys.

29-95: Flight of the Conchords will be at Jones Hall five days after you'll be there. Do you have any advice for them or actors that tie their careers to music?

MM: Oh, I don't think they need any help. I saw them at the Aspen Comedy Festival a few years ago and I thought they were brilliant. They're doing just fine without me. Don't invest with Bernie Madoff; it's the only advice I have but I give that to everyone.

Tickets are still available for the concert at House of Blues. 8 p.m. Friday. $32.50-$55.50. A new album of "redone" Spinal Tap songs (including a few new ones) will be available at the end of May.