Jack White offers opening slot to 'Satanic' duo Twin Temple after Charley Crockett drops them from tour

Tour removal

Self-described satanic doo-wop duo Twin Temple revealed on Wednesday, July 8, that Charley Crockett had dropped them from two upcoming opening slots on his Age of the Ram tour. The married couple, Alexandra and Zachary James, posted on Instagram that they were informed the decision was "due to our Satanic imagery." The pair were scheduled to perform in Troutdale, Oregon, on July 14 and Paso Robles, California, on July 18. Their name no longer appeared on Crockett's tour itinerary for those dates at press time.

Crockett confirmed the removal to Rolling Stone on Thursday, stating, "I thought they were like Black Sabbath, but they ain't. Not today, Satan." A spokesperson for the country singer forwarded an identical statement to Billboard on Friday morning. The duo, whose discography includes tracks like "Lucifer, My Love," "Burn Your Bible," and "Let's Have a Satanic Orgy," maintain a visual identity built around upside-down crosses, pentagrams, and the two-fingered devil horn salute.

White's offer

On Friday, July 10, Jack White posted a public invitation on Instagram. "Twin Temple, would you like to open my show in L.A. on September 29th at the Hollywood Palladium? Let me know. Get in front of me Satan!" the singer-guitarist wrote. White was celebrating both his 51st birthday and the release of his new album, Frozen Charlotte, the same day. The sign-off twisted the title of his 2005 White Stripes album Get Behind Me Satan, itself a reference to Matthew 16:23.

Twin Temple, would you like to open my show in L.A. on September 29th at the Hollywood Palladium? Let me know. Get in front of me Satan!

Response and support

Twin Temple responded directly in White's comments. "Unholy hell.... Sir Jack, you have no idea what this means to us," they wrote, adding that guitarist Alex had first learned to play on the White Stripes track "Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground." The band called the opportunity "a most infernal pleasure." Other musicians joined the show of support, with singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis writing "Viva Anton LaVey!" in reference to the late founder of the Church of Satan.

Unholy hell.... Sir Jack, you have no idea what this means to us. Lifelong fans -- 'Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground' was one of the first songs I (Alex) ever learned on guitar.

Crockett's stance

Crockett did not retreat from his decision. In a lengthy Instagram caption posted Friday, the country singer wrote, "I won't conform and I'm not sorry." He added, "There are many things I've done in my life to apologize for but this ain't one of them." His message addressed opening acts in broad terms, referencing "shameless exhibitionists possessed by the desire to be famous" and noting the transient nature of support slots. A bit of Nashville geography helps explain how Twin Temple landed on Crockett's bill: producer Shooter Jennings, who co-wrote and co-produced Crockett's most recent album, appears to have been the connective thread. Twin Temple are also scheduled to tour with Danzig in September.