Comedy Rock Legends Tenacious D Bring The Spicy Meatball Tour to FirstBank Amphitheater Tonight, Sept. 7

For nearly 30 years, musical comedy duo Tenacious D have been a beloved institution in the rock scene, rising to prominence in the 2000s while the group’s Jack Black also became a household name as a comedy movie star (his bandmate, Kyle Gass, has also appeared in numerous films and TV shows over the years, including the duo’s own own short-lived late ’90s, eponymous HBO show and a movie, 2006’s Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny). Across four albums, intermittent touring, film and television projects, awards, and famous fans (though their music is funny, their spirit of rock and roll couldn’t be more genuine), the legend of Tenacious D has only flourished, and any time the pair reconvene to make music- which they’ve made a point to do every few years- it’s always a momentous occasion.

Though their friendship extends back to running in the same theater and comedy circles in the ’80s, Tenacious D formally formed in 1994, gaining early buzz in the Los Angeles underground. scene, and making early prominent friends like David Cross and Dave Grohl (who went on to play drums for most all of their releases). Black was already a movie star, and the pair already had a cult following and a short-lived HBO sitcom, Tenacious D, before they even released their eponymous 2001 debut, adopting a full band sound instead of the acoustic style they’d initially adopted. Over the last 20 years since breaking out with their debut, the group’s activity has been a little intermittent, but whenever they reemerge, it’s as if they never left- whether for a film, an album, contributions to other artists and compilations, an animated web series, or tours and festival dates.

Currently in the midst of a global trek dubbed The Spicy Meatball Tour, Black and Gass recently debuted first original Tenacious D tune in five years, “Video Games” (which they recently performed at The Game Awards). Then, more recently, they released a recorded version of fan-favorite Chris Isaak cover, “Wicked Game” (watch videos for both below). And, finally, the duo expanded their tour with a new leg of U.S. dates, which includes their first Nashville area show in four years tonight, Sept. 7 at Franklin’s FirstBank Amphitheater, along with comedian, actor, and musician Dave Hill! A handful of tickets are still available right here while they last.