Rock duo turn on each other as Aussie tour implodes

Five words on stage at a Sydney concert appear to have made a rock duo’s 30-year relationship implode, leaving fans reeling.

Actor and rocker Jack Black’s extraordinary statement overnight, seemingly breaking up his band of 30 years after bandmate Kyle Gass’ controversial onstage joke during a recent Sydney show, has been met with bewilderment from Tenacious D fans.

Gass celebrated his birthday on stage during the band’s sold out show at Sydney’s ICC Theatre on Sunday night, and was asked to make a wish when presented with a cake on stage. His wish: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” a reference to the failed assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump earlier that day.

Footage of the moment spread on social media, where it was met with a decidedly mixed response. By yesterday morning it had caught the attention of Kyle Sandilands, who dropped his usual “unshockable” persona to announce the joke was “the worst thing” he’d ever heard and slapped a lifetime ban on the duo appearing on his show.

But by yesterday afternoon, it was clear something was very wrong behind the scenes: It was hastily announced that the band would “postpone” that night’s planned concert at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, just hours before it was due to begin.

Late yesterday night, when they should have been cooling down after another huge concert, Black publicly turned on his bandmate of several decades.

Declaring he had been “blindsided” by Gass’ off-colour joke, Black explained that he would “never condone hate speech or encourage 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,” he wrote on his own Instagram account.

Gass released a statement of his own overnight, writing that the line he “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.”

This morning came confirmation from the band’s Australian touring agent: The remaining six dates of Tenacious D’s tour have been cancelled. The tour section of the band’s official website has also been wiped of content. There has, as yet, been no joint statement from the two band members.

Kyle Gass (left) and Jack Black’s working relationship appears to be in tatters. Picture: Getty

But Black speaking out against his musical partner has so shocked the band’s fans, many are asking if this is all an elaborate “bit” from the hard rock comedy duo.

“There’s GOT to be more to this Tenacious D thing. You don’t end a relationship like that and screw up the livelihoods of your crew over a joke. Like, what’s tea?” asked one fan on social media.

Another fan pointed out that jokes about Gass quitting the band or being an egomaniac are “as old as the group.”

“Jack Black being scared of upsetting white people was not on my bingo card,” tweeted one fan.

The duo, pictured here in 2002, have performed together since the mid-90s.

Gass has apologised for the “improvised” onstage joke. Picture: TikTok

“Not Jack Black throwing Kyle Gass under the bus for making a joke about Trump. What an absolute coward,” fumed one person.

“You’re upset at Jack Black because of what Kyle Gass said. I’m upset at Jack Black for turning his back on a 30 year long partnership for the sake of keeping his celebrity status,” wrote another.

“Jack Black turning on Kyle Gass is legitimately upsetting to me, I’m gonna have to take a long walk,” another fan tweeted.

Others questions whether the band’s own actions didn’t make the story a bigger deal than it needed to be: “I don’t think this was a big enough news story until he posted this statement lol it would have been forgotten in like a week,” wrote one.

How Tenacious D’s Aussie tour fell apart in a matter of hours

Sunday

Band member Kyle Gass was presented with a birthday cake on stage at Sydney’s ICC Theatre during Tenacious D’s sold-out show. Asked to make a wish, he announced: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” sparking laughter from the 9000-strong crowd. His comments came after a failed assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump that morning

Monday

Footage of the moment spread on social media, attracting mixed reactions.

Tuesday

AM: Kyle Sandilands lit a fuse under the issue, declaring on-air that the band now had a lifetime ban from appearing as guests on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Calling the comment “serious, twisted s**t,” he announced: “A note to our talent bookers. I will not be participating in any future Tenacious D interviews. Someone wishing someone dead, that nearly got assassinated. All jokes aside, that’s too much for me.”

Kyle Sandilands weighs in yesterday.

All the band’s future endeavours are now “on hold.” Picture: Facebook

PM: It was announced that Tenacious D would “postpone” last night’s planned concert in Newcastle, NSW.

At around 11pm Jack Black announced via Instagram that he no longer felt it “appropriate” to continue the tour and that “all future creative plans are on hold,” while Kyle Gass announced that he was “incredibly sorry” for his “severe lack of Judgement.”

Wednesday 

AM: A statement from the band’s Australian touring agent Frontier confirmed 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 cancelled dates:

Tuesday 16 July

Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle

Thursday 18 July

Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Saturday 20 July

Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Monday 22 July      

Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

Wednesday 24 July

TSB Arena, Wellington

Friday 26 July

Spark Arena, Auckland

Originally published as Rock duo turn on each other as Aussie tour implodes