Bad Joke: Tenacious D Cancels Tour, Agent Splits After Trump Comment
Sometimes a joke falls flat, or clears the room.
Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass dropped an ill-advised gag on-stage at the ICC Sydney will be (quietly) talked about for years — not for the right reasons.
Late Tuesday (July 16), the comedy-rock duo’s “Spicy Meatball” tour of Australia and New Zealand was abruptly cancelled, Gass’ agent walked and the decades-old group has gone on hiatus — all because of a dud joke.
Earlier, on Sunday (July 14), in footage widely shared on social media, the “Tribute” singers were performing when Black and a “robot” presented Gass with a cake on his 64th birthday.
In fan-filmed clips, Black can be heard saying, “Make a wish,” to which Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time” as laughter filled the room.
Delivery and timing is everything. Gass’ comment came just hours after an assassination attempt on Trump at his Butler, PA. rally, where the GOP presidential nominee was struck in the ear and an audience member was killed.
@lakster.lak During Jack Black’s concert, his band makes a wish “Don’t miss Trump next time”#trending #jackblack #donaldtrump #trump2024 #maga
♬ original sound – lakster lak
The fall-out from Gass’ quip was swift.
On Tuesday, a statement from Frontier Touring, which is producing the trek, announcing the postponement of their show that night at Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Then, hours later, the rest of the tour was cancelled.
“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,” explains Black in a statement to The Music Network.
“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.”
Wiped off the slate are shows at Brisbane Entertainment Centre (July 18), a sold-out show at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena (July 20) and a performance at Adelaide Entertainment Centre (July 22), plus NZ dates at Wellington’s TSB Arena (July 24) and Auckland’s Spark Arena (July 26).
Information on refunds will be provided at a later date.
A chorus of critics lined-up for their say, including Senator Ralph Babet, a member of the right-wing United Australia Party, who turned to social media on Monday to demand that Tenacious D be deported for the quip. In a statement, Babet called on Australia’s immigration minister Andrew Giles to “revoke their visas.”
Kyle Sandilands issued a lifelong band for the pair during his Kyle and Jackie O show. “That’s some serious twisted s—,” he remarked. “I never want to speak to them again.”
And, separately, Michael Greene of Greene Talent informed Rolling Stone in an email that he would not longer represent Gass. “We have parted ways after what happened in Sydney,” Greene wrote of the musician and actor. “Thank you.”
Gass has since apologised for his remark. “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he says in a statement. “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 apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Tenacious D has enjoyed an epic ride which, along the way, has included a HBO variety series in 1999, a platinum-certified self-titled album in 2001, a feature film – Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny – in 2006, a Grammy Award (2014 best metal performance for “The Last In Line”) and sold out arena shows around the globe.