Adelaide fans get vocal about Tenacious D and ‘cancel culture’

Adelaide fans have reacted after Jack Black cancelled Tenacious D’s tour because he was “blindsided” by a bandmate’s “hate speech” against Donald Trump.

• Rudd blasts Tenacious D after tour axed

Adelaide social media users are getting vocal about the scandal surrounding Tenacious D and “cancel culture”, after the rockers cancelled the rest of their Aussie tour.

The American comedy rock band starring Jack Black was due to play Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Monday, July 22.

But Black has called time on the global The Spicy Meatball Tour, which was due to wrap Down Under, after his bandmate Kyle Gass made what many regard to be a tasteless joke.

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Given a birthday wish on stage during Sunday’s show in Sydney, Gass said “Don’t miss Trump next time”.

Black, who has also starred in movies such as High Fidelity, School of Rock and The Holiday, has said he was “blindsided”.

He added: “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form”.

Jack Black fronting Tenacious D in Sydney on Saturday. Picture: Tom Parrish

In addition to pulling out of the tour, Black hinted Tenacious D – best known for its 2001 hit Tribute – might disband: “all future creative plans are on hold”.

The Advertiser’s social media followers had mixed reactions.

One Facebook user expressed their disgust at Gass, saying, “How low have some people gone that they wish death on Trump”, while another said, “It’s just a joke wtf, most were thinking the same thing anyway.”

News that the remaining Australian gigs had been canned was also posted on Adelaide Entertainment Centre’s Facebook page on Wednesday morning.

Its followers were quick to post comments.

One Facebook user wrote: “Trump has said worse” and when challenged over their comment asked: “don’t remember the ‘grab them in the (cat emoji)’ or drinking bleach for COVID?”.

A number of those commenting used the term “cancel culture”, referring to the boycotting of someone because their views or actions are deemed to be socially unacceptable.

One Facebook user wrote, “Cancel culture is so full on that people will voluntarily cancel themselves”, while another commented, “Woke wins again”.

Kyle Gass and Jack Black, of Tenacious D, performing last year in Charlotte, North Carolina. Picture: Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

Others also called out Tenacious D for letting down their fans.

“I don’t understand why they didn’t just apologise profusely and then get on with it,” one Facebook user wrote, to which another responded: “They were probably forced to cancelled (sic) it … from people above them.”

The reactions were echoed on Tenacious D’s fans Facebook page.

Comments included:

“Imagine if this was Ricky Gervais or Jimmy Carr … they wouldn’t give two s … s what they said because it’s a joke. Fans don’t care – and thats (sic) who they are letting down.”

“Musicians spend more time pleasing idiots and cancelling on fans now days.”

“Everyone has lost their sense of humour.”

“Soft. They should’ve used the Newwie (Newcastle) show to apologise and move on.”

“So sad. I don’t condone violence … At the same time it seems a huge over-reaction to a poor taste humorous comment.”

A number of ticketholders were also outraged that they “should allow approximately 30 business days for the refund to appear in their account” after missing out on seeing their idols.

Adelaide fans were caught off guard by the sudden cancellation.

Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, meanwhile, blasted the comments, saying “these people should just grow up and find a decent job.”

“It makes me feel sick that someone would joke about violence. It just makes me feel physically ill,” Mr Rudd said.

“People might think it’s a bit of funny ha ha at a concert to run off at the mouth about this stuff – it’s not.”

It comes after a United Australia Party senator has demanded the immediate deportation the band following an “evil” comment about Trump’s shooting.

In a statement on Tuesday, Senator Ralph Babet condemned the act and called for the duo to be “immediately removed from the country”.

“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,” the statement read.

“This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”

Senator Babet called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to join him in his stance, while urging Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to revoke the pair’s visas immediately.

Originally published as Adelaide fans get vocal about Tenacious D and ‘cancel culture’