Parody band. Their name is stylized as Spın̈al Tap, with a dotless i, and a heavy metal umlaut over the n. John "Stumpy" Pepys (DRUMMER) An original member of the Thamesmen and Spinal Tap, Stumpy died in a "bizarre gardening accident." When asked about it, Nigel says, "It was really one of those things the authorities said, 'Well, best leave it unsolved.'" Eric "Stumpy Joe" Childs (DRUMMER) Childs was the band's second drummer, replacing gardening victim Stumpy Pepys.