In his Life on the Road video, David Brent the ineffective manager character that made comedian Ricky Gervais famous in the original version of The Office catalogs a drab existence driving around England as a sales rep peddling toiletry products. But at night, he indulges his inner rocker, taking the stage at pubs with his band Forgone Conclusion and firing a t-shirt cannon into the crowd.
Life on the Road is the title track from Gervaiss upcoming LP, which accompanies his new movie David Brent: Life on the Road. Brent originally came to life in The Office 15 years ago. In the new film, Gervais told Rolling Stone that the character is 15 years sadder, 15 years more desperate. But theres a silver lining in that for viewers: Hes 15 years funnier. I think the tragedy increases and the pathos increases but his enthusiasm doesnt wane. Thats funnier in a way.
Compared to the gentle acoustic texture of Gervais last track as Brent, Lady Gypsy, Life on the Road is more energetic, featuring crashing guitars and a firm backbeat. Life on the road, dont need a heavy load/ Foot down to the floor, seventy miles an hour but no more.
[Brent]s trying to relive the days of when he was in a band, in the Eighties, Gervais said. Its really sad. He thinks hes going to get signed. It is quite tragic, because hes been sold the lie that anyone can become famous, because Simon Cowell told us they can. He doesnt quite get it.
The album and film both arrive on August 19th in the U.K. Gervais and his band Forgone Conclusion have a pair of performances scheduled at Londons Apollo on September 8th and 9th.