After Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass made a joke about the failed Donald Trump assassination, the world tour was put to an immediate stop
There has been movement on the future of much-loved rock band Tenacious D after frontman Jack Black abruptly ended their world tour due to a joke made about the failed assassination of President Donald Trump.
Forming way back in 1994 in Los Angeles, the rock duo of Black and Kyle Gass have become a firm fan favourite in the music industry through their comedy rock approach combined with music of a high technical difficulty. Initially starting out in the live music scene, they made the move to the studio for the release of their 2001 self-titled album.
With themes of drug use and sexual prowess featuring consistently through their four studio albums to date, they have continued to sell out concerts around the world despite not releasing an album since 2018.
But despite having songs titled ‘F**k Her Gently’ and ‘Master Exploder’, things went too far for Black during their 2024 world tour.
While performing in Sydney, Australia, in July 2024, Gass had been celebrating his birthday.
Asked by Black to make a wish, he spoke in to the microphone: “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
The line got a mixture of laughter and shock from the crowd, with it happening just one day after the failed assassination of President Trump during the 2024 election campaign while in Pennsylvania.
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With numerous dates still to play across the world, Black almost immediately cancelled the world tour the following day.
Posting to Instagram, the School of Rock actor – who is active in politics and a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party – said: “I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.
“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Gass released a statement, which has since been deleted, in which he said the joke was a ‘severe lack of judgement’. He also parted ways with his management team. He said: “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.
“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologise to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Well, it seems that enough time has now passed since the incident for Black and Gass to bring things back together on a professional level.
The duo have this month contributed to a cover of REO Speedwagon’s balled, ‘Keep On Loving You’, released in aid of the Los Angele relief fund in the aftermath of the city’s devastating wildfires. Money from sales and streams is going to the LA Regional Food Bank and California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Fund.
Advertising the record, it says the music is ‘made up entirely of previously unreleased recordings from some of the most inspiring names in music today’. So while there’s no indication the recording of the record took place since the hiatus began, it’s a positive start for fans who are wanting to see them live again or waiting for new music to be released.
At the premiere of his film Borderlands in August 2024, Black said the band are definitely returning. It’s just a matter of ‘when it feels right’.
