Dave Grohl spent seven hours a day in a makeup chair for this. Seven. Most A-list rock stars wouldn't sit still for seven minutes if they didn't have a drum kit in front of them, but Grohl? He did it for a cult comedy about a magical guitar pick. Honestly, looking back at Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny Dave Grohl is a trip because it wasn’t just a cameo. It was the culmination of a decade-long bromance that basically proves Dave Grohl is the unofficial third member of the D.
If you’ve seen the movie, you know the scene. The "Beelzeboss" rock-off is the emotional and musical peak of the film. It's loud, it's profane, and it's surprisingly technical. But most people don't realize that Grohl didn't just show up to play a red-skinned demon. He’s been the backbone of their sound since day one.
The Secret Drummer Behind the D
Basically, every time you hear a massive, thundering drum fill on a Tenacious D record, that’s Dave. He has played drums on every single studio album they've ever released. From the 2001 self-titled debut to Post-Apocalypto in 2018, it’s always him.
Jack Black and Kyle Gass actually met him back in the late '90s at the Viper Room in LA. Pete Stahl, who was in the band Scream with Dave, was working there and told Dave he had to see this duo. Dave bailed three times. Finally, he showed up. He popped his head through the curtain before their set and told them he was a fan. Jack Black later admitted they were too intimidated to even ask him to play on their first record. It took their producers, the Dust Brothers, calling them "crazy" to finally make the ask.
Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny Dave Grohl: Becoming Beelzeboss
The role of Satan in the movie wasn't exactly a new gig for Grohl. He’d already played the "Shiny Demon" in the music video for "Tribute" years earlier. But for the 2006 film, they went full prosthetics.
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The transformation was intense. We're talking:
- Massive prosthetic horns.
- A giant, sculpted chest piece.
- Red contacts that probably felt like sand in his eyes.
- That "Satan's cock" joke that Kyle Gass still talks about in interviews.
Grohl didn't just look the part; he sang it. His vocals on "Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)" are genuinely terrifying and impressive. He brings that "rolling thunder" energy that only a guy who fronted the Foo Fighters and drummed for Nirvana can pull off. He even managed to blow out a microphone during the recording session because his voice was so powerful.
Why the Rock-Off Actually Matters
There's a weirdly common debate among fans about who actually won the rock-off. If you look at the "Demon Code," the terms were pretty high stakes. If the D won, Satan had to go back to Hell and pay their rent. If they lost, Kage (Kyle Gass) became Satan's "sex slave."
Technically, Satan says his rock was better. He tries to blast Kage with lightning, but the bolt bounces off the "JB" logo on Jack's guitar and chips Satan's horn. It’s a win by technicality. But musically? Grohl's performance is so dominant that it’s hard to argue with him.
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Behind the Scenes at the Rock and Roll Museum
The movie was a box office bomb when it first hit theaters. It made about $13 million against a $20 million budget. Critics at the time—like those at Rolling Stone—called the songs "plot-nudging sketches." They weren't necessarily wrong, but they missed the point.
The movie was built on a foundation of genuine friendship. Ben Stiller, who produced it through Red Hour Productions, had been a fan for years. Tim Robbins, who gave Jack and Kyle their start in his acting troupe The Actors' Gang, showed up as the "Stranger." Meat Loaf played Jack’s dad. It was a family affair for the weirdos of the rock world.
Grohl’s involvement was the ultimate seal of approval. He didn't do it for a paycheck. He did it because he genuinely thinks Tenacious D is a great band. He’s often called them the best acoustic heavy metal duo in the world, and he’s not being ironic when he says it.
The Legacy of the Pick
While the movie didn't win any Oscars, it became the ultimate "stoner classic." You've probably seen clips of the Grohl scene on YouTube or TikTok a thousand times. It’s one of those rare moments where a celebrity cameo doesn't feel like a gimmick. It feels like a masterclass in commitment to a bit.
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How to Appreciate the Performance Today
If you want to really "get" what Grohl brought to the table, don't just watch the movie. Listen to the isolated drum tracks on the soundtrack. The complexity of the percussion in "The Metal" or "Master Exploder" is world-class. It’s easy to forget that while Jack Black is doing his "theatrical vocal delivery," one of the greatest drummers in history is absolutely punishing a kit in the background.
To dive deeper into the world of the D and Grohl, check out these next steps:
- Listen to the Soundtrack on Vinyl: The production by John King (of the Dust Brothers) is incredibly dense. You can hear the nuances in Grohl's drumming much better than on a standard streaming file.
- Watch the Documentary: "The Making of the Pick of Destiny" shows the actual makeup application process for Grohl. It's a grueling look at what goes into a "funny" cameo.
- Compare the Versions: Go back and watch the "Tribute" music video from 2001 and then watch "Beelzeboss." You can see how the character of the Demon/Satan evolved from a low-budget costume into a cinematic beast.
The movie might be about a magical tooth, but the real magic was just three guys who loved rock and roll enough to make something completely ridiculous.