Tenacious D Reactivate to Contribute REO Speedwagon Cover to LA Wildfire Benefit Compilation

Six months after Kyle Gass’ controversial Trump comments forced duo into hiatus, he and Jack Black share “Keep on Loving You” for Good Music to Lift Los Angeles

Six months after Tenacious D canceled a tour and went on hiatus in the wake of Kyle Gass’ controversial comments about the Donald Trump assassination attempt, the duo reunited to contribute a song to a Los Angeles wildfire benefit compilation.

The 90-track Good Music to Lift Los Angeles arrived on Bandcamp Friday, featuring new songs, remixes, and live performances by the likes of Animal Collective, TV on the Radio, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, R.E.M. and Tenacious D, who provided a cover of REO Speedwagon’s “Keep on Loving You,” a track that duo has frequently performed live. (It’s unclear when the song was recorded.)

During a July 2024 concert in Sydney, Australia, Gass celebrated his birthday onstage and shared a birthday wish in the aftermath of the Trump assassination attempt: “Don’t miss Trump next time.” The comment drew the ire of conservatives on both sides of the Pacific, with Australian lawmakers even lobbying for Gass’ deportation.

Tenacious D canceled their Australian tour (and a planned Rock the Vote tour stateside) soon after, and Black issued a statement condemning his band mate. “I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black wrote. “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, who was also dropped by his talent agent following the comment, apologized for the “highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake” in his own social media statement, which he later deleted.

However, just a month after the incident, Black said during a red carpet premiere for his movie Borderlands that, despite the fallout from the incident, Tenacious D “will be back.”

“We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime,” Black said, adding that he’s still friends and in contact with Gass. “That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes … And we’ll be back when it feels right.”

Tenacious D’s Instagram account — which had been dormant since wishing Gass a happy birthday back in July 2024 — reactivated Friday to share news of their Good Music to Lift Los Angeles contribution: