Tommy Vext announced in an Instagram live video last night that he was parting ways with Bad Wolves, according to a report by our friends at MetalSucks. The singer announced his decision in a since-removed Instagram Live video. Update: The band has since released an official statement confirming the news.
The video is no longer available, but according to MetalSucks, Vext claims that his conservative political views caused a rift between himself, his bandmates, and Better Noise, their record label.
Vext claimed that leaving the band was his only option, and he was planning on launching a solo career. He said Bad Wolves would continue without him, and took credit for writing all or most of the band's "new record," although it's not clear if he meant their 2019 release, Nation, or an upcoming release.
Vext caused quite a stir where he released a video in June 2020 saying "I have not experienced actual racism" and said that it was all manufactured. The video ran the gamut from talking about The Clinton Foundation and billionaire George Soros funding the protests (this has been debunked), to saying he personally never experienced racism. "I’m 38-years-old. I’ve grown up in this country and I have not experienced actual racism. I’ve spent twenty years traveling through 48 states and, how many countries? I don’t know, lets say 50 countries all over the world. We don’t have a problem with race here. It’s all manufactured." Vext has since issued a second statement saying his intentions were "widely misunderstood".
At the time, guitarist Doc Coyle responded to his statement, saying "While it should be noted that I advocate for free speech & don't want to censor anyone, I wholeheartedly disagree with the content of this video. I speak for & represent myself. Thankfully, today Tommy offered a retraction/clarification on his thoughts on the matter & the video has been deleted. That means a lot to me. Some people agree & that's ok. Some people disagree & that's ok. But I apologize to anyone who was hurt.
"Some in the media will exploit this as a flashy band-feud, but Tommy & I have spoken. We've heard each other, & that's what this time should be about. Listening to one another. If he & I can disagree & be in a band together, then we as a count, or society can find a way to find common ground despite ideological differences. But we can't do that if we are talking past each other.
"I'm not an activist. I'm not a civil rights leader. But I offer solidarity to those addressing historical and systemic racial inequities in this country.
"Public band squabbles are bad for business, but if I didn't make my voice heard about an issue pertaining to my own band, then I have no credibility to speak on other social issues that are important to me. I would be letting fear get the best of me.
"I want to put the focus back on music, not politics. This is a distraction from what we are here to do — create, perform, & engage. It may sound corny, but I want our message to be one of inclusion & positivity because that's what I truly believe in."
Vext also publicly endorsed Trump for president prior to the election.
