Tenacious D has announced the cancellation of their Australia and New Zealand tour after a comment was made onstage about Donald Trump's attempted assassination.
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Concert promoters Frontier Touring had announced the comedy-rock band, famous for their 2002 hit Tribute, would "postpone" their July 16 show in Newcastle mere hours before it was scheduled.
Tenacious D co-founder Kyle Gass, 64, was presented with a birthday cake during a Sydney show on July 14, hours after an attempt was made on the life of former President Trump.
According to a video posted to social media Gass said "don't miss Trump next time" as he blew out his candles.
Jack Black announced the tour cancellation on his Instagram and thanked fans for their support and understanding.
The School of Rock actor said he would never "condone hate speech or encourage political violence".
"I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold," Black said.
The band was set to tour Australia between July 13 and July 22 stopping in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Call for band to be deported
Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd addressed Gass' comment while attending the Republican National Convention on July 17.
"It makes me feel sick that someone would joke about violence. It just makes me feel physically ill," he said.
The former prime minister said he didn't find Gass' joke funny saying "It's about physical life. It's about the threats to physical life".
"It's about the near assassination of a former and prospective president of the United States, depending on the vote of the American people.
"It's about the murder of an innocent civilian and two people being seriously wounded. Would these people just grow up and find a decent job."
A United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet called for Tenacious D to be deported from Australia on July 16.
Senator Babet responded to the video saying "Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert".
"I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday," the United Australia Party senator said.
He said Gass' birthday wish "was not a joke" and he called on prime minister Anthony Albanese to denounce the band.
He also called for immigration minister Andrew Giles to revoke the band's visas and "deport them immediately"
Anna Houlahan
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
