What Happened to Bad Wolves?

Bad Wolves emerged in 2017 from Los Angeles, California, quickly establishing themselves in the heavy metal scene. The band's initial lineup featured drummer John Boecklin, vocalist Tommy Vext, lead guitarist Doc Coyle, rhythm guitarist Chris Cain, and bassist Kyle Konkiel. Their breakthrough came in 2018 with a highly successful cover of The Cranberries' 'Zombie,' which garnered widespread attention and topped rock charts. Their debut album, 'Disobey,' released the same year, further solidified their presence, followed by 'N.A.T.I.O.N.' in 2019, yielding several #1 Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs.

The band's stability began to unravel in January 2021 when original frontman Tommy Vext announced his departure. This split was mired in controversy, with Vext citing irreconcilable differences over his conservative political views and criticism of Black Lives Matter, while the band and label alleged abusive behavior and fraudulent claims. Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz was announced as Vext's replacement, and the band released two more studio albums, 'Dear Monsters' in 2021 and 'Die About It' in 2023, attempting to move forward from the internal strife.

However, the lineup continued to be a revolving door. In April 2025, founding members Doc Coyle and Kyle Konkiel departed, with Chris Cain rejoining and Kevin Creekman stepping in on bass. The most significant recent shifts occurred in 2026. In June, Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz left Bad Wolves to join Falling in Reverse as their touring bassist. Shortly after, Bad Wolves announced a completely revamped lineup, introducing Sara "Killboy" Skinner as their new vocalist, Derek Bolman on bass, and AJ Rebollo as the sole guitarist, alongside founding drummer John Boecklin. This new iteration released the single 'Paint It Red' on June 29, 2026, signaling a fresh chapter.

The band's attempts at a fresh start were immediately met with new challenges in August 2026. Bad Wolves was slated to tour with Skillet and Escape The Fate, but was abruptly dropped from the tour. Vocalist Sara "Killboy" Skinner revealed that Skillet's conservative fanbase had researched her online presence, including rumors about her gender identity and OnlyFans account, leading to their removal from the tour. Compounding this, on August 28, 2026, guitarist AJ Rebollo announced his departure, citing ongoing disagreements with Better Noise Music, the band's label, over creative decisions. The final straw was the label's insistence on releasing a cover of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' on August 31, 2026, despite the band's opposition, particularly after Parton's recent passing, which they felt would be perceived as exploitative.

As of August 31, 2026, Bad Wolves finds itself in a precarious state. The band has just released the controversial 'Jolene' cover, with proceeds reportedly going to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a move that was a direct cause of their latest guitarist's exit. With only founding drummer John Boecklin remaining from the original lineup, and a newly formed core of Sara "Killboy" Skinner and Derek Bolman, the band is navigating significant public relations challenges and an uncertain touring future, while reportedly working on their fifth studio album.