Tenacious D, the musical-comedy duo featuring Jack Black and Kyle Gass, has cancelled the rest of their tour after the latter’s remarks about the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump.
While onstage at a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to “make a wish” by Black. Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” The video of Gass was widely circulated on social media.
“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 said in a Tuesday statement on Instagram. “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.”
Following Black’s statement, Gass apologised on Instagram.
“The line I improvised Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote. “I don’t condone violence in any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement.”
The band’s Newcastle concert on Tuesday night was called off without explanation, leaving fans in the queue outside the Newcastle Entertainment Centre demanding answers and others fuming online about wasted airfare and accommodation expenses.
Kyle Gass and Jack Black of Tenacious D.Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Tenacious D were due to play at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Thursday, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Saturday and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Monday, before jetting to New Zealand for shows in Auckland and Wellington.
Earlier, Promoter Frontier Touring posted on social media about 3pm on Tuesday that the Newcastle leg of the Spicy Meatball Tour had been postponed, but offered no explanation.