The formation and dissolution of bands is a common tale in the music industry. One such narrative is that of Bad Wolves, a heavy metal band that came together in 2016. Tommy Vext, known for his vocal prowess, joined forces with John Boecklin, the former DevilDriver drummer. The band was completed by the addition of guitarists Doc Coyle and Chris Cain and bassist Kyle Konkiel.
After their formation, they quickly found success, with their debut album ‘Disobey,’ making a significant impact in the scene in 2018. However, the band’s journey was abruptly disturbed in January 2021 when Vext announced his departure. The announcement from Bad Wolves about the frontman’s departure was devoid of detailed reasons for the split.
They simply expressed their gratitude for his contributions and stated their intention to continue making music. This was met with a swirl of rumors and speculation as fans grappled with the sudden news. Contrary to the band’s statement, Tommy Vext revealed in a now-deleted Instagram live video that he was ‘forced out‘ due to his conservative political views. This claim was initially at odds with his later statement that the decision to leave was entirely his own.
The band wrote in their statement:
“It is true that Bad Wolves and vocalist Tommy Vext have parted ways. The four of us plan to continue making music, and a new album is planned for later this year. Tommy has been a big part of Bad Wolves, and we are grateful for his contributions. There is not much else to report at the moment but to send love and gratitude to the fans who have supported Bad Wolves from day one. We would not be here without you. All the best, Chris, Doc, Kyle, and John.”
Vext has always been vocal about his views. His outspoken support for President Donald Trump and controversial comments about racial issues in America have drawn both criticism and support. His belief that the Black Lives Matter movement was being manipulated for financial gain and his skepticism of the Covid-19 restrictions stirred controversy. His public statements painted a picture of an individual who felt ostracized for his beliefs.
According to the vocalist, his outspokenness led to threats and smear campaigns aimed at destroying his career. He revealed that he chose to leave Bad Wolves to prevent his bandmates from being dragged into the controversies surrounding him. The decision was also an effort to protect his career from further damage.
Here is part of the statement shared by Vext:
“Me, an African American artist, speaking his mind. I became unacceptable to the gatekeepers because I walked off the plantation. I had to be silenced. Cancel culture came after my band. I was threatened, ridiculed, blackmailed, and smear campaigns were launched to destroy my career and my livelihood.
However, this is my fight; I realize I cannot drag my band members or the people around me into this. I, on my own, decided to go solo; this way, everything I say and do will affect only me. I wish the best for the guys in Bad Wolves.”
The fallout from Tommy’s departure from Bad Wolves was significant. He launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund a solo record of original music, showing his determination to continue his musical journey independently. Moreover, he began releasing a series of cover songs he had recorded in 2020 on his YouTube account.
A clear sign of defiance against his critics, Tommy Vext also announced tour dates for a ‘F*ck Cancel Culture Tour’ in April 2021. Consequently, while it’s clear that his outspoken political views played a role in his exit, it seems like Vext took the decision to protect his bandmates and his career.
