The artist Jack Black wanted to leave in the dust: “We’re actually much better”
If Jack Black’s filmography wasn’t so damn entertaining, I’d almost feel bad that they robbed him of music. Because, in an alternate universe, where Black’s face didn’t adorn the posters of every noughties comedy, he could have been one of the next great rock stars.
His crossover talent was softly highlighted in High Fidelity, where he delivered a charming rendition of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’. But then in 2003 it was outrightly championed, in a role that was custom written for him and his duelled comedic and musical timing. In School of Rock, the music world was truly shown what he was missing, for despite his character’s hapless irrelevance, he was a captivating performer.
So we all rejoiced when he gave the appropriate care and attention to his comedy rock band Tenacious D. Through their film, The Pick Of Destiny, Black showcased how his theatrical style could exist hand in hand with the music, delivering full blooded rock hits that had you singing along and crying with laughter all at the same time.
It encouraged Black and Kyle Gass to provide fans with even more, including albums and a tour to boot. Fully committing to the role of a blood thirsty rock star, Black used the promotion run for the band’s 2012 tour Rize Of The Fenix to set his sights on a feud.
But rather than focusing their animosity towards fellow guitar heroes, they did something they knew would be popular amongst rock fans and started picking on country music. More specifically, Kenny Chesney.
“This comeback plan for this comeback album, we were thinking, ‘We’re going to be playing mega domes by the end of this tour.’ That is not the case,” Black said. “We thought we were going to leave this Kenny Chesney in the dust. Turns out we’re playing all the same cities as Kenny Chesney in about 100th of the size arenas. Is it humiliating? A little. Does it dampen our spirits? A little. Will it stop us? Noooo.”
But isn’t that the true spirit of rock and roll? Or “sticking it to the man!” as a once passionate faux Ned Schneebly told us? Despite their comfort in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, something about Tenacious D in the grand environment of an arena feels inherently contradictory to the band. Which, Black swiftly reminded himself of once the dust of resentment settled.
“And the good news is we’re actually much better in smaller venues. If you see us in a mega dome, it’s a little diluted, you know? You’re a mile away. You’re fucking seeing a shitty Kenny Chesney show all of the sudden. It’s much better to see the D in a nice tight enclosure. Nice and intimate: That’s the way you want your D.”
That way, the never-ending riffs, which were clearly written as a satirical joke but in actual fact, sound great, can soar into the creaky corners of the dingy theatres they play. The sweat of the mosh pit can feel palpable, and that is, truthfully, where the Tenacious D belong.
