Jack Black had cancelled all shows on Tenacious D‘s tour and said that all of the duo’s “future creative plans are on hold” after a comment that his bandmate Kyle Gass made onstage in July at their Sydney, Australia show, saying “don’t miss Trump next time” when asked by Black to make a birthday wish. Speaking to Variety‘s Marc Malkin at the premiere of Borderlands on Tuesday night (8/6), Black elaborated on his reaction, saying, “We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime. And we’ll be back.”
Asked by Malkin if he’d talked to Gass since the cancellation of the tour, Black said, “Yeah, we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes… And we’ll be back when it feels right.”
In his initial statement following Gass’ comment, Black wrote that he was “blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” continuing, “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. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Gass also released a statement on Instagram at the time, which has since been deleted. “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” it read. “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 apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
The fallout from Gass’ comment, which referenced the shooting at Trump’s Butler, PA rally on June 13, also included United Australia Party leader Senator Ralph Babet condemning the duo and calling for their deportation from Australia.
Tenacious D’s friend and longtime studio drummer Dave Grohl recently covered their song “Tribute” during the Denver stop of Foo Fighters’ tour.