‘Breakout’, Foo Fighters, and the link to a controversial Jim Carrey hit
For almost three decades, Foo Fighters have stood as a pillar of rock music. Emerging in 1994 from the shadows of Nirvana’s tragic end, Dave Grohl reinvented himself as a formidable songwriter with the group’s breakthrough second album, The Colour and the Shape, in 1997. From that moment on, Foo Fighters have been a relentless force in rock, shaping the genre’s future with their distinctive sound and enduring presence.
Foo Fighters have earned 15 Grammy Awards and secured a well-deserved place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—an impressive feat for a band once considered merely a side project for Dave Grohl to move on from his recent past. Over the years, they have released 11 triumphant albums and maintained immense popularity across various musical eras, a testament to Grohl’s distinctive and successful approach to rock music.
Given the band’s long and winding history, certain aspects of their story can easily get overshadowed by the sheer volume of their music, success, and even tragedy. However, one constant throughout Foo Fighters’ journey has been their penchant for comedy. This affinity for humour is no surprise, as Dave Grohl had already revealed in his time with Nirvana that comedy is an intrinsic part of who he is.
Wry, ironic, and a bit goofy, this comedic approach has been a recurring theme in the band’s work, though it has become less prominent as Grohl has transitioned from a spunky 20-something to a seasoned veteran in his 50s. Nonetheless, Foo Fighters recently showcased their playful spirit by performing a secret set at Glastonbury 2023 under the moniker The Churnups, humorously teasing fans before taking the stage.
To truly appreciate this comedic angle, we need to delve into the band’s history, particularly the late 1990s and early 2000s. One of the most iconic humorous moments is the music video for ‘Learn to Fly’, taken from the 1999 album There Is Nothing Left to Lose. This clip parodied the classic Airplane! series and featured Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D.
Perhaps most notoriously, the controversial video for 2002’s ‘Low’ saw Grohl reunite with Jack Black once more, following Black’s role as the demon in the iconic ‘Tribute’ video released earlier that year. In ‘Low’, the duo portray characters who enter a motel, drunkenly cross-dress, and trash their room. Initially, Grohl wanted the video to feature only Black dancing in drag, but director Jesse Peretz steered him away from this idea. The clip was ultimately banned from MTV, a move that seems unimaginable for the Foo Fighters in their current era.
Of course, Jack Black isn’t the only comedy icon Grohl and the Foo Fighters have collaborated with over the years. Their song ‘Breakout’, from the 1999 album There Is Nothing Left to Lose, was featured in the Farrelly brothers’ hit movie Me, Myself & Irene, starring Jim Carrey. The film, known for its outrageous humour and as one of Carrey’s wildest roles, tells the story of Rhode Island state trooper Charlie Baileygates, who, after years of repressing his feelings, suffers a psychotic breakdown that produces his devilish second personality, Hank. It is worth noting that the movie attracted controversy for its portrayal of mental illness.
Directed by The Malloys, the video for ‘Breakout’ served as a tie-in to its appearance in Me, Myself & Irene. It stars Dave Grohl as a hapless character with a rage-filled, black-clad alter ego, similar to Hank from the film. The video follows Grohl picking up his girlfriend and taking her to a drive-in theatre to watch Me, Myself & Irene. Chaos ensues as the already disastrous date takes a turn for the worse when Grohl’s character catches his girlfriend cheating and is bullied by a group of men, portrayed by the other Foo Fighters members.
The music video also ties into the film with Traylor Howard, who plays Charlie’s unfaithful wife Layla in Me, Myself & Irene, starring as Grohl’s girlfriend, and Tony Cox reprising his role as her lover. Additionally, Anthony Anderson and Jerod Mixon, who played Jamal and Shonté Jr Baileygates in the film, make appearances. As a final surprise, Grohl’s mother, Jean, plays the old lady who flips him off on the road.
