Kirk R. Thatcher (I hate you!)

Do you remember that punk rocker on the public bus in Star Trek IV?

Yeah, it was a funny moment; especially when Spock knocks him out with that Vulcan nerve pinch. The best part is when he flips off Admiral Kirk just as the song says, “Screw You!”

But the story behind this scene and the person playing the punk is just as entertaining. His name is Kirk Thatcher. (Check out his interview here)

Thatcher has worked on both Star Trek and Star Wars over the years. He also wrote the song “I Hate You”, in which he’s playing punk in the scene above. Thatcher and The Edge of Etiquette preformed the song. The band was comprised of people working on the set and this is their only song. (Go here for the history behind the song)

Here are some points worth mentioning.

~The song showed up in the movie Back to the Beach as well

~Thatcher was paid more for the song in Back to the Beach.

~Thatcher was the voice of the computer that tested Spock at the beginning of the film. “How do you feel?”

~He worked with Jim Henson (Muppet shows) and Phil Tippet (Return of the Jedi) as a puppet master

Here’s the song being played in a parody of Shawshank Redemption (The complete song uncut)

This is just funny as hell. It fits well with the video.

The Shitty Enterprise theme being played on the bus…

I’ve felt that way every time I’ve heard that damn Enterprise song.

Punk on the bus Rick Rolls everyone…

Hey it needed to be done, take it like a man or woman…