Jack Black’s band facing backlash after bandmate’s Trump remark. Is the Penn State concert on?
Comedy rock band Tenacious D is putting “all future creative plans on hold” after a controversial remark about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump — and it’s unknown at this point whether their planned October concert on Penn State’s campus will go on.
The musical duo featuring actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass was scheduled to perform at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College this fall. But it’s possible that might be canceled after Gass joked about Saturday’s shooting that occurred during a Trump rally, a comment that sparked widespread backlash and led Black to issue a statement on social media.
“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold,” Black said on Instagram, adding he does not condone hate speech or political violence. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Tenacious D was scheduled to perform at Penn State’s BJC on Oct. 26 as part of the band’s special five-concert “Rock the Vote” tour. In an email, Kate Bean, director of marketing and public relations for the BJC, said Tuesday afternoon they can’t confirm the show has been canceled. But she also couldn’t say it would definitely go on.
“Please be assured that we are working closely with the promoter and tour management and will provide updates as soon as they become available. At this point we cannot confirm that the show date has been canceled,” Bean wrote in an email.
During their concert in Australia on Sunday, Gass was given a birthday cake and Black told him to “make a wish.” Gass responded: “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
During the former president’s rally in Butler on Saturday, a man fired “multiple shots” toward the stage, killing one spectator and critically injuring two others. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had been “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
Gass apologized for the comment in his own Instagram statement, writing, “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night 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 apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Proceeds from the upcoming tour were set to be donated to Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan nonprofit that works to build political power of young people and break barriers to participation. Sunday’s concert was part of Tenacious D’s international Spicy Meatball Tour.
Penn State was one of five stops on the Rock the Vote tour ahead of the presidential election. The other shows — Columbus, Ohio; Bloomington, Indiana; Madison, Wisconsin; and Kalamazoo, Michigan — are listed as sold out on the band’s website.
The Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday it was also unclear if Bloomington’s stop was canceled, as IU Auditorium and promoter MOKB Presents did not respond immediately to their request for additional information about the status of the event.
Tickets for the BJC event are still available on Ticketmaster.
This story was originally published July 17, 2024 at 12:05 PM.
