# I need to explode/spontaneously combust in public, how do I do it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111 "2012-09-28T05:35:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/1 "2012-09-28T05:35:44Z")
Our local Halloween show features various musicians forming one-off bands that cover a band’s songs and dress like them. The band I’m in this year is doing Spinal Tap, and as the drummer, it falls on me to figure out how I’m going to die, preferably via explosion. If this all sounds like gibberish, watch “This is Spinal Tap” and you’ll get the idea. It’s on Netflix streaming. I entertained the idea of flash pots, but that’s out lest we “Great White” the place. In previous years the guys that did KISS had some air tubes with glitter type stuff in them that they stomped on to get an explosion effect out of. I would be fine with dying from a poisoned beer and just keeling over, but no, they want me to die in an explosion. We may end up being the last act too, so it’s on us to really deliver. The venue is a bar, medium sized by most standards, with a 10’ ceiling I imagine. I’ll definitely be using the supplied drum kit, and I refuse to be the dick that gets glitter stuck in the guys drums that we use for the show. I would be pissed if that happened to my kit. Ideas? I’ll bump this closer to show time with any ideas that may have sprouted. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/2 "2012-09-28T06:16:32Z")
You can create a decent explosion with a piece of capped pipe, a funnel, a firecracker (small firecracker like a Black Cat), and some corn starch. Get a steel plumbing nipple from the hardware store and a screw on cap to match. You need about an 8" length, 1/2" inner diameter. Screw on the cap (not too tight so you can get it apart). Just past the cap drill a small hole in the pipe for the firecracker fuse. Duct tape the funnel into the open end of the pipe. Unscrew the pipe and stick the firecracker inside with the fuse through the hole. Put the cap back on and mount your little blunderbuss vertically with the funnel on top. Put a little wad of tissue paper into the bottom of the funnel and fill halfway up with corn starch. Light the fuse or use a model rocket igniter and the corn starch will blow out of the funnel in a big cloud. Stretch a few narrow strips of duct tape over the top of the funnel to break up the cloud more. You can use an air compressor or just blow real hard into a plastic tube to get the same effect without the noise instead of using the pipe and firecracker. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/3 "2012-09-28T06:17:36Z")
Is it that complex? Have someone lob an invisible grenade at you, or something else to telegraph Shit Is Happening, then a flashpot goes off either in front of the drum set or behind you. You keel over. Done. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/4 "2012-09-28T06:35:25Z")
I would go with an argon gas fire extinguisher as a propellant for glitter, or something with dry ice (not a dry ice bomb, just the fog) . ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/5 "2012-09-28T15:05:27Z")
A flash pot would be my preference, but I doubt the bar would be cool with it, even a small one. Glitter and/or confetti might make too big a mess on the drum kit as well as in the bar. Is there a good way to create a big puff of smoke like some cheesy magician? I could do that with a bright flash of light without causing too much mess I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/6 "2012-09-28T15:13:36Z")
Whatever you think you want to do, [make sure the potential for error does not result in this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Station_nightclub_fire). ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/7 "2012-09-28T15:45:35Z")
Duckster, see the OP. > [@dnooman](#): > > I entertained the idea of flash pots, but that’s out lest we “Great White” the place. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/8 "2012-09-28T16:06:59Z")
Wear a top hat…in it will be a large balloon filled with what looks like blood. At the right moment, a huge firecracker (or taped explosion) and perhaps have some cleverly placed razors in the hat, so when the hat is turned, the balloon pops and you are covered with a bucket of blood? You could probably figure out a way to throw some fake bloody hands up in the air and pull your arms into the jacket or something. This will take practice, but could be safe and effective in a small(er) venue. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/9 "2012-09-28T16:12:23Z")
I think you should die by choking on vomit – but not your own. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/10 "2012-09-28T16:22:14Z")
Swallow some gasoline, followed by a lit match. Or did you want to survive? To everyone mentioning firecrackers, dnooman’s profile says that he’s from Ohio. Firecrackers are against the law there. [http://cleveland.about.com/od/livingincleveland/p/Making-Sense-Of-Ohios-Fireworks-Laws.htm](http://cleveland.about.com/od/livingincleveland/p/Making-Sense-Of-Ohios-Fireworks-Laws.htm) ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/11 "2012-09-28T17:29:54Z")
Confetti cannon with red and yellow confetti, maybe. ETA: Bring a push broom. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/12 "2012-09-28T17:35:09Z")
Or, if you’re willing to tweak it and make the death an onstage electrocution by a hot mike, rig a recorded electric zapping sound with a triggered strobe behind the drum kit. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/13 "2012-09-28T18:30:09Z")
I look forward to reading the next Darwin awards. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/14 "2012-09-28T18:37:19Z")
If firecrackers are out use compressed air and corn starch. You can mix in glitter also. I’m not sympathetic to rockers who are worried about wrecking their instruments. Art requires destruction. ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/15 "2012-09-28T20:52:15Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I think you should die by choking on vomit – but not your own. You can’t really dust for vomit can you? > [@pravnik](#): > > Or, if you’re willing to tweak it and make the death an onstage electrocution by a hot mike, rig a recorded electric zapping sound with a triggered strobe behind the drum kit. I kinda like this idea. > [@TriPolar](#): > > If firecrackers are out use compressed air and corn starch. You can mix in glitter also. I’m not sympathetic to rockers who are worried about wrecking their instruments. Art requires destruction. Agreed, however they will not be my drums, they will be the house kit that everyone uses. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/16 "2012-09-28T21:00:51Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Or, if you’re willing to tweak it and make the death an onstage electrocution by a hot mike, rig a recorded electric zapping sound with a triggered strobe behind the drum kit. This has potential, and you could get a spectacular “smoke” effect with a dry ice device too! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/17 "2012-09-28T21:02:37Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I think you should die by choking on vomit – but not your own. Or perhaps you can simulate a bizarre gardening accident. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/18 "2012-09-28T21:37:36Z")
What is this Spinal Tap you speak of? ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/19 "2012-09-28T23:50:28Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You can create a decent explosion with a piece of capped pipe, a funnel, a firecracker (small firecracker like a Black Cat), and some corn starch. Get a steel plumbing nipple from the hardware store and a screw on cap to match. You need about an 8" length, 1/2" inner diameter. Screw on the cap (not too tight so you can get it apart). Just past the cap drill a small hole in the pipe for the firecracker fuse. Duct tape the funnel into the open end of the pipe. Unscrew the pipe and stick the firecracker inside with the fuse through the hole. Put the cap back on and mount your little blunderbuss vertically with the funnel on top. Put a little wad of tissue paper into the bottom of the funnel and fill halfway up with corn starch. Light the fuse or use a model rocket igniter and the corn starch will blow out of the funnel in a big cloud. Stretch a few narrow strips of duct tape over the top of the funnel to break up the cloud more. You can use an air compressor or just blow real hard into a plastic tube to get the same effect without the noise instead of using the pipe and firecracker. What is the danger of the corn starch exploding?? As a foolish kid, I used toJ create large bangs by igniting a cloud of ordinary flour (blown out of a funnel) with just a candle. Burned off my eyebrows and stopped… Then I learned about dust explosions in grain elevators. ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111/20 "2012-09-29T00:09:11Z")
> [@Shark\_Sandwich](#): > > What is this Spinal Tap you speak of? Behold. [This Is Spinal Tap | Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/this_is_spinal_tap/) A 95% Rotten Tomatoes is nothing to sneeze at. It’s a bit dated, but it’s a must see for any musician or fan of 80’s rock. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-explode-spontaneously-combust-in-public-how-do-i-do-it/636111.md?page=2)