A moment onstage at their second Sydney concert on Sunday, with five words said, has seen American band Tenacious D's Australian tour crumble, and left a 30-year creative partnership fractured.
When Jack Black and the Tenacious D band were celebrating fellow band member Kyle Gass' birthday, with Jack offering the throwaway make a wish line, the five-word response from Gass – "Don't miss Trump next time" – unleashed a firestorm both locally and back home in America for Tenacious D.@abcnews "Don't miss Trump next time." — Kyle Gass Tenacious D, the band led by actor Jack Black, is calling off its tour and putting "all future creative plans on hold" after band member Kyle Gass made a joke about the assassination attempt on former Pres. Trump on Saturday. Gass issued an apology for his joke, writing the line was "highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake." #tenaciousd #news #abcnews ♬ original sound - ABC News
With people flooding the band's social media comments with negative commentary, Aussie radio shock-jock Kyle Sandilands slapped a lifetime ban on the group yesterday morning saying the off-colour joke was "the worst thing", before United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet called for the band's immediate deportation.
"I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday," the Senator said. "To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape or form."
Then late yesterday afternoon, Frontier Touring – the Australian tour company hosting the band – announced the group's scheduled Newcastle concert that night had been postponed leaving bewildered fans, many who had travelled long distances for the show.
"I didn't even read about this until we got to Newcastle... and we are here in a hotel... after 3+ hours of driving... 🥲 This was my Valentine's Day gift for him," posted one fan.
Another commented: "I was just in line in the freezing cold for this show ): I got tickets for my birthday in March to see my fave band and this sucks SO bad." Others weren't so sympathetic. "Good for Frontier Touring! Kudos for having respect and morals! #frontiertouring."
Then late last night, Jack Black posted to his personal Instagram a message most Tenacious D fans did not see coming. "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."
With the future of the band seemingly unknown, Gass also released a statement of his own overnight. "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."
It left Frontier Touring with nothing else, but to confirm Tenacious D's tour was indeed canned. "Frontier Touring regret to advise that the remaining dates of Tenacious D’s tour of Australia and New Zealand have been cancelled. All purchased tickets will receive a full refund."
The comments section of Frontier's post mostly reflect the death of comedy. "God forbid a comedian makes a joke, RIP." Another posted: "GUTTED. 2024, the year comedy was cancelled." While another said: "I think the apology statement was needed but idk about cancelling the whole tour."
Impacted dates are as follows:
Tue 16 Jul - Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Thu 18 Jul - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sat 20 Jul - Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne)
Mon 22 Jul - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
