American rock band Tenacious D has cancelled its remaining Australian shows after one of the band members made a remark about Donald Trump that sparked a backlash.
Kyle Gass — who along with actor Jack Black is one of the band’s co-founders — said “don’t miss Trump next time” after Black presented him with a birthday cake and told him to “make a wish” as he blew out the candles at the band’s Sydney show on Sunday.
His comments, which were caught on a now widely-reported video, came after while at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Black took to social media on Tuesday night to say he was “blindsided by what was said” as he confirmed the tour would end prematurely.
“I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
The band’s Spicy Meatball Tour kicked off in the US in May 2023 before moving through Europe. The Australian leg began on Saturday in Sydney and the final show was scheduled for 22 July in Adelaide. Two New Zealand shows were meant to follow.
Earlier on Tuesday, concert promoter Frontier Touring said the band show that night in Newcastle, NSW, had been “postponed”.
The video taken at the show on Sunday shows the crowd cheering Gass’s comments, but it drew anger from some quarters after it was shared online.
Black has been critical of Trump previously and appeared at a fundraiser for US President Joe Biden in November.
Trump, who suffered a wound to his right ear in the attack, appeared at the opening night of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday (AEST).
He is expected to make a speech formally accepting the Republican presidential nomination for the November election on Friday (AEST).
Also on Tuesday, United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet called on the federal government to deport Tenacious D in the wake of Gass’s comment.
“I call on the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese to join me in denouncing Tenacious D, Jack Black and band member Kyle Gass, and I call on the Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to revoke their visas and deport them immediately,” Babet said in a statement on Tuesday.
SBS News contacted Immigration Minister Andrew Giles’ office for comment.