Jack Black Assures Fans That Tenacious D’s Pause Is Temporary After Kyle Gass’s Joke
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Rock and comedy duo Tenacious D, known for their lively performances and humorous songs, are taking a short break. The break came suddenly after a joke about Donald Trump by Kyle Gass, one of the band members, stirred a lot of online discussions. Despite the pause, Jack Black assures their fans that this is not the end for Tenacious D. Here’s a closer look at what happened and what the future holds for the band.
The Sydney Show Incident
The duo, made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, found themselves in hot waters following a performance in Sydney, Australia. It was the day after an attempted attack on Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa. During their show, on Gass’s birthday, Black brought a cake on stage. In a surprising turn, when Black urged Gass to make a birthday wish, Gass said, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” This comment led to a significant backlash, prompting the band to cancel their remaining tour dates.
Jack Black, the other half of Tenacious D and also known for his acting roles, including in the movie “Borderlands,” opened up about the incident and the band’s decision. Speaking to Variety, he expressed the need for a break, not only for themselves but also as a step to reflect on recent events. “We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime,” Black stated, confirming that despite the tumult, his friendship with Gass remains unchanged. “Yeah, we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes,” he further added. “And we’ll be back when it feels right.”
Tenacious D’s Response to Controversy
In an additional comment to Entertainment Tonight, Black echoed his sentiment of a soon-to-come return. He emphasized that their pause is just a period for reflection and not an indication of breaking up. Yet, what led to this decision?
The sequence of events became clearer when Jack Black announced, during the tour, that all future creative plans were momentarily on hold. Taking to Instagram on July 16, he publicly distanced himself from Gass’s comment. “I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” he remarked. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.” In his statement, he shared his gratitude towards the fans for their understanding, signaling a temporary halt to their “Spicy Meatball Tour.”
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Kyle Gass’s Apology and Subsequent Fallout
Following the outcry, Kyle Gass attempted to mend the situation with an apology posted on Instagram. He called his onstage remark “highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.” Gass reinforced his stance against violence in his message, “I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” and expressed his regret for the distress his words may have caused. However, his apology was later deleted, and amidst the backlash, his talent agency, Greene Talent, decided to part ways with him. It remains uncertain if Gass has since found new representation.
This unexpected interruption in Tenacious D’s tour has indeed sparked various reactions. However, both Jack Black’s and Kyle Gass’s responses highlight a period of introspection and apology. As Black indicated, Tenacious D intends to return, but only “when it feels right.” For now, the fans await the duo’s next move, holding on to Black’s words of assurance that this break is merely a temporary setback.
