Interview by Evelyn Poitevent
From USA Weekend, September 15-17, 2000

     IN THE much-loved, much-parodied faux rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, David St. Hubbins (actor Michael McKean, in character, right, with Harry Shearer "Derek Smalls", and Christopher Guest "Nigel Tufnel") and his two drug-wasted sidekicks spoofed British rockers' over-the-top antics. This month, MGM studios released an uncut version of the 1984 cult classic on DVD and video in conjunction with a national theater release. USA WEEKEND Magazine found that while he may be older and wiser, St. Hubbins is still outspoken.

Where do you stand on Napster and downloading free music from the Net?
     We've given in. We're going to have our own Web site and all you can get is our stuff and it's all free. We've always felt cowardice was the better part of valor.

Ever imagine This Is Spinal Tap would become a classic?
     I don't think I ever did. But as for it not going away, we decided to embrace that notion and say, "Good. We'l give it a remix and boost the sound a bit so that at least you can hear the music."

You haven't done much since then, have you?
     I've been working on my spiritual road. It's sort of a pantheist thing. I've been working in the soil a lot, and I realize that the soil is where we all spring from. It gets very deep and philosophical, and God knows I haven't got time for it now.

So, have you given up rock'n'roll?
     No. You can leave rock'n'roll, but it never leaves you. So you might as well try to make a dollar at it. It's like I used to say: Rock'n'roll keeps you young. You die oung, is the only drawback.

OK, tell us. Who's better: 'N Sync or the Backstreet Boys?
     I would have to say Backstreet Boys for voices, 'N Sync for movement. If they could somehow genetically combine the two into four lads, they could rule the world!