Tenacious D is not like any other band you’ve seen. The acoustic metal comedy duo — actor Jack Black ( Shallow Hal, School of Rock, High Fidelity) and his guitarist friend Kyle Gass — will crack you up one minute and rock your world the next with a dead-on tribute to a classic rock song. Black can really sing, and both are capable guitarists.
The duo, who play the Fillmore Miami Beach Tuesday night, riff off of each other in an interview just like they do in concert:
How did you guys start performing together?
JB: Kyle was kind of an outcast. He kind of severed all of his friendships and relationships.
KG: Again.
JB: And was sitting his apartment — we called it the cockroach, because it was a dingy little hole in Hollywood. And I sensed his vulnerability, and his need for friendship. And I pounced, because he was a mentor to me — he was a great musician, and I knew him from the theater, the Los Angeles theater scene. And called him and I said, “Dude, can I come over and hang out with you — I need a father figure.”
KG: And it wasn’t long before I became his grandfather figure.
Jack, you actually have an awesome voice. Did you do anything musically before Tenacious D?
JB: I’m self-taught. I did chorus in high school. And I liked to sing by myself with a four-track.
KG: He had a Bobby McFerrin thing going.
JB: I liked Bobby McFerrin. I liked harmonies, and I liked harmonizing with myself, and that was my training ground.
Guessing from your band’s name, are you guys big sports fans?
JB: Yeah, the NBA is our sport of choice. National Basketball Association.
KG: We call it roundball here on the streets.
JB: Round-ball!
So I’d predict you guys probably don’t like the Miami Heat too much, being from L.A.?
KG: Actually, after LeBron [James] had The Decision, and they had the press conference, I sort of got on the bandwagon of “I hate Miami.”
JB: I actually went the other way. When they were making their run last year for the championship, I realized, “Wait a second — what do I want to see? Do I want to see the good guys win, and oh, yeah?” I just felt like LeBron deserves it. He is the best player, and it’s gonna be such sweet revenge for him when all those critics who hate him for really no reason — he didn’t do anything illegal, he didn’t do anything wrong, he just decided to play in Miami and everyone hated him for it. Well, you know what? I’d like to see him win and say “F--- you all in your face!”
If you could pick three rock stars to perform with, all-time, who would they be?
KG: Wow! Can they be dead, too?
Sure, dead. Might not be as fun, but they can be dead.
KG: I’m gonna go John Lennon — I’m a big Lennon fan.
JB: OK, I’m gonna go Hendrix.
KG: F---! Hendrix — that’s good. Ummm, Neil Young.
JB: Keith Moon.
KG: Uhh! Good choice.
JB: Really, that’s my dream right there — just Keith Moon and Hendrix and me.
KG: That’s a great super group.
Tenacious D performs at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets are $47.50 at livenation.com.
Michael Hamersly




















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