Jack Black Gave An Update On Tenacious D's Future After Kyle Gass's Controversial Remark During The 2024 Spicy Meatball Tour
So, Tenacious D isn't over just yet.
Jack Black discussed the band's future with Variety at a premiere of his new film Borderlands, which also stars Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Tenacious D, a comedy rock band featuring Jack and Kyle Gass, has performed since 1994. Their popularity grew after their 2001 debut album, Tenacious D, and the support of other bands like Pearl Jam, Tool, and Beck.
On July 14, the absurdly comedic rock music came to a halt in the middle of their Spicy Meatball Tour when Kyle made a controversial comment about the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.
In a viral video, Jack was seen singing happy birthday to Kyle on stage, and when he asked him to make a wish, Kyle said, "Don't miss Trump next time," referring to 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks who shot at the 45th president at a rally in Pennsylvania.
In an Instagram statement, Jack said he was "blindsided" by Kyle's comment and ending the Tenacious D tour. "I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form," he said.
"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."
Kyle apologized for the remark on a now-deleted Instagram and emphasized it wasn't rehearsed. "The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous, and a terrible mistake," he said.
Daniel Knighton / Getty Images, @theactualkylegass / Instagram: @theactualkylegass
"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."
Tenacious D fans were heartbroken and divided over the decision to end the tour, but Jack's latest comments are a sign of hope for the rock group's return.
"We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime. And we'll be back," Jack told Variety.
"I love Tenacious D. It's probably my favorite job, if you can call it that. It's a work of art, it's my baby."
As for the fans concerned about what this pause meant for Kyle and Jack's relationship, there's hope on that front as well. "Yeah, we're friends. That hasn't changed," Jack said of his bandmate, Kyle. "These things take time sometimes… And we'll be back when it feels right."
And that's that. The metal lives on!