Features

Bonnaroo Bound: Tenacious D

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to present archival features on some of the major acts appearing at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival. First up is this October 2004 conversation between Relix Editor Josh Baron and Tenacious D…

If you’ve come within earshot of the band Tenacious D, chances are you laughed, cried or ran away revolted. With songs like “Kielbasa Sausage” and “Fuck Her Gently,” the self-proclaimed “Greatest Band on Earth” rides roughshod between comedy, drama and music-searching for free love through free speech. Jack Black, funny man in such films as High Fidelity, Shallow Hal and Orange County and Kyle Gass, funny man and still aspiring thespian, give Relix an earful about Jesus, cock and restraining Page McConnell.

How do you guys stay so fit?

Jack Black: My only exercise is the D. And I don’t eat as many carbs as I used to. Cut down on the breads and pastas. I allow myself as many fruits and veggies as I like.

Is there special diet required to rock so hard?

JB: Well, that doesn’t have anything to do with rocking. I can rock just as hard, fat as I can skinny, but I heard that you die quicker when you’re fat. So I trimmed down a little.

This is true.

JB: Cause you know what? I like to live.

Is KG really hung like a beer can?

JB: It’s more like a tuna can. It’s very thick.
Kyle Gass: Not as long as a beer can.

So there’s girth.

KG: My testicles are so big I think there may be something wrong with them.
JB: So when you cum, does it go for like two minutes?
KG: A girl almost choked the other night.
JB: Is it almost like peeing?
KG: No, it was more like a jet. Kind of like a hose.

Do you have a favorite breed and/or strain of pot?

KG: Well… as long as it has potency really.
JB: What’s it called?
KG: Um, I dunno, but the stuff in Vermont was pretty awesome.
JB: Oh my god

So is there a preference of state then?

KG: Well, that’s probably the best I had, but we’re from California so… you know…
JB: We could be called Skunky D….[laughter] skunky D weed.

Kyle, you once said that the D’s “talent is well hidden. We’re like sleeper cars, when you get a Pinto and put a big engine in it and drag race? We’re similar.” Do feel still feel like a pinto or have you moved up to say, a more all-around type vehicle, say like a Ford Taurus?

KG: Well, I still think maybe a Chevy Nova.

Before coming out on stage, do you have any pre-show rituals you do? Do they involve pattycake?

JB: No.
KG: No.
JB: My ritual is to do nothing. To do whatever I would do if there was no show. Except I like to sit around and make a setlist…
KG: I do a little stretching…
JB: I do some vocal warm ups, drink some hot tea, I’ll eat a couple carrots, um… I’ll look at Kyle and say, “I got a bad feeling about this one”
KG: [laughter]
JB: Usually…
KG: I’ll vouch for that, just about every show. [more laughter]
JB: We usually go up there and tear the place apart, but you know, that’s just usually.