Kyle Gass Band’s rock entertains both comically, musically

Kyle Gass is best known as one half of Tenacious D, the comedy rock duo he formed with Jack Black in the mid-’90s. The twosome has a fervent cult following, releasing three successful albums and starring (as Bizarro World versions of themselves) in an HBO miniseries and a feature film.

But because of Black’s thriving movie career, Tenacious D is frequently dormant. Gass refers to the project as “a slow-moving dinosaur,” with flurries of creativity separated by long periods of inactivity. During D’s downtime, Gass formed another group, appropriately called the Kyle Gass Band, which performs at the Big Dipper on Monday.

Like Tenacious D, Gass’ solo project (known to its fans as, uh, KGB) specializes in overblown, flamboyant, often ridiculous rock ’n’ roll that’s played with a straight face. Their songs are often funny, both in delivery and lyrical content, though Gass says getting listeners to laugh isn’t his primary motivation.

“I don’t think we’re trying to be Weird Al,” Gass said during a recent phone interview. “I think it kind of happens that way. I think the music is the main thing. … The lyrics aren’t a serious investigation of feelings. I think (the comedy) is baked in. It’s there.”

The Kyle Gass Band released its sophomore album, “Thundering Herd,” earlier this year. It’s a totally ridiculous collection, from its cover illustration (the band, in medieval garb, astride charging buffaloes and ostriches) to its closing track, which assures us that we just heard the best effort the band could muster.

The album’s sound isn’t just straight-ahead rock. “Bro Code” is a lovingly goofy pop anthem about sticking by your brethren; “Gypsy Scroll II,” a sequel to a song from the band’s self-titled debut album, is a send-up of pompous hard rock concept songs; “Uncle Jazz” is a swinging number, reminiscent of Ween, about a Prius-driving, wine-guzzling hep cat.

Save for a few changes in personnel since the group formed in 2011 – “the exploding drummer syndrome,” Gass explains – KGB has kept mostly the same lineup. Gass has been friends with guitarists and songwriters Mike Bray and John Konesky for years, so the band’s chemistry was already established before they ever played a gig.

“It’s good on the friend level,” Gass said. “But they do enjoy that classic – for lack of a better word – kind of rock, a little throwback. So we’re all on the same page that way, which is kind of necessary.”

But for all the pomposity of his Tenacious D persona, Gass admits that he’s likely bringing up the rear in terms of musicianship.

“These guys are amazing musicians. Sometimes I’m a little insecure,” he said. “My band kind of intimidates me. … But you know what? It’s like if you want to be better at tennis, play a better player.”

Gass describes his band’s live show, on the other hand, with the typical exaggerated, self-aggrandizing Tenacious D style.

“It’s the best live show you’ll ever see,” Gass said. “The better time we have, the better time you’re gonna have, and we’re having a great time. We’re usually swilling Jack Daniels up there and rocking out. … If you miss it, you’ll be filled with regret, and rightfully so.”

As for Tenacious D, Gass says he and Black are hard at work developing an animated series, and their annual music and comedy event Festival Supreme occurred in October. And there will be new music, though Gass can’t say when.

“I’d say early 2018. No, 2019,” Gass said. “Who the hell knows? Sometime later. You’ve gotta feed the beast. … We just keep moving, very slowly, but we’ll get there, and it’ll be huge.”