Rejoice for the return of the kings of rock and roll comedy.
Hollywood actor and notoriously foul-mouthed comedic icon Jack Black and his rock and roll partner in crime, Kyle Gass, delivered a non-stop barrel of laughs during Tenacious D’s first concert in Korea at the Seoul Olympic Park on Friday night.
A band that’s all about racy humor and politically incorrect lyrics, Tenacious D ― with Black on lead vocals and guitar and long-time friend Gass on guitar ― performed two live shows at the Olympic Hall on Friday and Saturday as part of the American duo’s ongoing world tour.
The band’s live show combined the atmosphere of a lively comedy club with a head banging rock show and certainly had no shortage of Black’s comedic antics. The performance was a satisfying auditory treat of the act’s signature musical style that showcases Black’s thespian-like vocals ― with the occasional scatting and dropping of F-bombs, of course.
 |
Kyle Gass (left) and Jack Black of Tenacious D. (Tenacious D official website) |
Tenacious D took the audience back to its early years by opening with “Tribute” ― arguably the band’s most well-known hit single. They later went on to perform more of their rock hits such as “Kickapoo” and “Wonder Boy.”
Widely known for his role as the eccentric rock fanatic Dewey Finn in the blockbuster hit film “School of Rock,” it goes without saying that whether the rocker-comedian is on the big screen or tearing it up on stage, the world has come to expect nothing less than Black’s signature quick-witted, and at times hysterical, crude humor. This is an expectation that the duo had no problems meeting in their first show in Korea.
The two got into a fake scuffle on stage, leading to Gass saying he quit and leaving the stage. The playful interlude was followed by Black’s perfectly timed performances of, “Dude (I totally miss you),” “Kyle Quit the Band” and “Friendship” and having Gass return to the stage and a sarcastic reuniting hug between the two friends.
Afterward, Black whistled for his roadie to wipe the sweat off his forehead and massage his arm before moving on to, “Low Hangin’ Fruit.”
Although the band hasn’t been able to make a huge splash outside of the U.S. with its music, which tends to be sarcastic and riddled with American style humor, Tenacious D is returning to the stage in full force and taking its music across the globe for the first time in years.
First coming together in 1994, the comedic rockers didn’t really start gaining mass attention until Black and Gass starred in their own television series, also titled “Tenacious D,” in the late ’90s. In 2001, the duo went on to release its eponymous debut album with highly favorable reviews.
Five years after dropping its first official album, the duo finally unveiled the band’s second studio album “The Pick of Destiny,” which was released in tandem with their Hollywood musical comedy film, “Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.”
The film was a flop at the box office, and both the movie and the soundtrack were harshly denounced by critics.
After leaving the music scene for nearly six years, Tenacious D finally returned to its fans with the release of the duo’s most recent album, “Rize of the Fenix,” in 2012. The album went on to receive a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album in 2013 and topped Billboard’s Comedy Albums chart.
The album’s eponymous lead single blatantly addressed the band’s critics who referred to the “Pick of Destiny” as a bomb that would surely result in rock’s act demise.
With the main chorus line of, “Just like the phoenix, we’ll f ― cking rise again ... cause’ the fiery heart of a champion cannot be quenched by a failure or an embarrassment, no way, no,” one couldn’t help but be transfixed by Black’s joshing, yet sincere lyrical response to those who doubted the band’s ability to make a grand comeback.
Tenacious D’s 1 1/2 hour show featured performances of nearly 20 tracks, including Black and Gass’ encore performance of one of the band’s fan favorites, “F ― Her Gently,” to close out the show in even more laughter.
By Julie Jackson (
juiejackson@heraldcorp.com)
