Tenacious D on Hiatus After Kyle Gass’ Trump Shooting Comments

If you were planning to catch Tenacious D on tour, you’ll have to wait. Jack Black has canceled the tour following band member Kyle Gass’s controversial remarks about Donald Trump.

This incident occurred during a performance in Sydney on Sunday. When Gass was asked to make a wish, he responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” The comment quickly sparked controversy. Australian senator Ralph Babet even called for the rock group to be removed from the country. In his statement, Babet said, “Tenacious D should immediately be removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert.”

Jack Black was also disturbed by the remarks. He took to Instagram to address the incident, stating, “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.”

Black added, “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 also apologized on Instagram, saying, “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 judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

The cancellation disrupts a lot of upcoming plans for the band. They were scheduled to perform for another week in Australia before heading to New Zealand. Following that, their U.S. tour was set to kick off in October in Ohio. However, it appears none of these performances will occur as planned.

The comedy rock duo, Tenacious D, was formed in 1994 and gained fame in the ’90s, performing in notable Los Angeles venues like the Viper Room. They even had a series on HBO called Tenacious D. The duo signed with Epic Records during the rise of Black’s film career, with movies like “High Fidelity” and “School of Rock.” Their music is known for its edgy and comedic style, often incorporating vulgarity.

The band has released four albums: “Tenacious D” (2001), “The Pick of Destiny” (2006), “Rize of the Fenix” (2012), and “Post-Apocalypto” (2018). They even won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2015 and were nominated in 2013 for Best Comedy Album.

So, is this the end of Tenacious D? For now, it seems like everything is on pause.

Source: Deadline