Comedy rock band duo Tenacious D says it is canceling its tour after a bandmate’s remark about the attempted assassination on former president Donald Trump.
The band — led by actor Jack Black and Kyle Gass — was on its Spicy Meatball tour in Australia when Black made the announcement.
“I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold,” Black said in a social media post the next day. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
At a Sunday show in Sydney, Gass celebrated his birthday with cake on stage. When Black asked Gass to make a wish, Gass replied, “don’t miss Trump next time.”
This was an apparent reference to the attempted assassination at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday that left Trump with a wounded ear.
The band’s touring manager, Frontier Touring, announced Monday the six remaining shows in the band’s most recent tour in Australia and New Zealand have been canceled.
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Black said in the post. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”
Gass apologized in a separate social media post after Black’s Monday statement, according to the Associated Press.
“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” Gass said. “I don’t condone violence in 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 band was set to go to five college cities in October for a Rock D Vote tour. All proceeds from the tour were to be donated to Rock the Vote, a nonprofit that assists youth with voter registration and political engagement.
The tour was scheduled for an 8 p.m. show at the Indiana University Auditorium Oct. 22. The show’s ticket page on IU Auditorium’s website is no longer available.
The other shows — almost entirely sold out — were at the Mershon Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio, the Sylvee in Madison, Wis., the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Mich., and the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa.
