MINNEAPOLIS — Kyle Gass was humming a tune when he hopped on a recent Zoom call, pumped to plug his March 30 appearance at Minneapolis’ Green Room.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Tenacious D co-founder wasn’t in such high spirits. While celebrating his 64th birthday during a 2024 concert in Australia, he made a joke about an attempt on President Donald Trump’s life.

“Don’t miss Trump the next time,” he said, before blowing out the candles on a cake.

The backlash was swift. Bandmate Jack Black, who is hosting “Saturday Night Live” for the fifth time on April 4, announced that he was “blindsided” by the comment. The tour was canceled. Gass’ agent dropped him.

Gass, who recently put out the “Live in Palmdale” album with the Kyle Gass Band, addressed the controversy, his relationship with Black, and his latest chapter in music during a recent chat from his California home.

Q: Thanks for releasing a cover of “Guitar Man.” It’s time for a re-appreciation for David Gates and Bread.

A: It’s timeless. You can’t get any better. It’s pretty soft, but it’s a lovely sentiment. I do like to rock, but I’m partial to the singer-songwriter kind of thing.

Q: Did you grow up listening to the radio?

A:Oh, yeah. I was one of those kids under the blankets with the radio. Back in the dinosaur days, you couldn’t just stream everything instantly. If you wanted to hear “Beach Baby,” you had to wait two hours. Remember Personics and how it helped you make mixtapes? That was such a breakthrough. That was how you got the girl. Just like in “High Fidelity.”

Q: How will you strike a balance between classic covers and Tenacious D favorites on the current tour?

A: We probably know an infinite amount of songs, so it’s really about trying to pare it down to the good ones. It’s actually the 20th anniversary of Tenacious D’s “Pick of Destiny,” so we’re doing a little medley that I think people will enjoy. And if you don’t, you can tell me at the merch table when you’re buying a T-shirt. I don’t mind. Let’s get it on.

Q: Do people really complain?

A: Actually, they’re too forgiving on the other end. Even if it wasn’t a good show, they’ll tell us they loved it. It’s the power of the music. They’re powerless against us.

Q: What’s the current status of Tenacious D?

A: Why, have you heard anything? I’m ready. Put me in coach. Jack’s out conquering the world right now with his crazy movie career. But we’ll be back. It’s too good. It’s too iconic.

Q: A lot of partnerships break up when one member gets more attention than the other. Did you ever feel any envy?

A: Jack and I both started as actors, but you can’t plan on someone becoming an A-list movie star. It’s pretty rare. Even early on, though, you sort of knew this guy was special, a force of nature. I mean, what he did in “School of Rock.” I couldn’t do that. Who could?

Q: You have had some success as an actor, especially guest starring in sitcoms. Do you have some favorites?

A: “Seinfeld” was huge. I had a good time on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” And of course, being on “Friends” was big. I didn’t do too much TV, but when I did, I always ended up on iconic shows. My karaoke scene in the movie “Wild Hogs” got a lot of play. If you combine all my bit parts, I’d have a pretty good 15-minute reel.

Q: What kind of roles does the industry call on you to play?

A: It seems like I’m the schlumpy, loser guy. Kind of a man-child. I guess that’s how the world sees me. Why am I not up for the intellectual roles like Aristotle? I mean, that’s what my beard is for.

Q:What did you learn after the fallout from the Trump joke?

A: Well, less is more. Part of it was that I was in another hemisphere and I just had this false sense that I was on an island. And it was my birthday, so I felt a little emboldened for that reason. But there are things you kind of don’t want to joke about and that’s one of them.

Q:The backlash happened so fast.

A: Oh my God. I’m in my hotel room and, like all of sudden, publicists are calling. Houston, we have a problem. That’s when you think, maybe everyone needs to put their phones in a sack before coming into a show, like they already do in some venues. I thought it would blow over a little faster. I feel like maybe it was a slow news day. I mean, really? I’m making national news for this? Plus, I’m a free speech, First Amendment guy. I’m a comedian. You push it to the edge. But you live and learn. I won’t be making any more birthday wishes.

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