Hi BAD WOLVES! What was the original spark that encouraged you to start creating music together?
A: Our drummer, John Boecklin, used to be in the band, Devildriver. He quit the band in 2014, right when I moved to Los Angeles right after quitting my old band, God Forbid. He started writing the music that would ultimately become Bad Wolves with Devildriver’s guitar tech, Max Karon. Our original guitarist, Chris Cain, joined a year or so after that, but John wanted me to be involved pretty early on and the material was very heavy and progressive at the time, and I just wasn’t in that headspace at the time. I was working on my own more melodic project at the time called Vagus Nerve. They reapproached me in 2016 when Max decided to leave the band, and by that time, Tommy was the vocalist. The bulk of what would be Disobey was done. And the musical direction was much more in the place where it felt right to join up. But I can’t take much credit at all for the band’s sound and writing early on. That was John, Max, and Tommy.
Congratulations on the release of ‘Die About It’! The album sounds incredible. What inspired you to create it?
A: I think there was a feeling that our previous album, Dear Monsters, didn’t connect as much as we’d hoped. By the time the album came out and when we started touring on it, the album already felt old to us. We toured pretty hard in 2022, and pretty much started writing as soon as we had any time off from the road. A lot of the last album’s material was left over from before our singer changed, so I think there was a big feeling of wanting to start fresh. Dear Monsters was conservative in some ways because I think we didn’t wanted to turn off any old listers with the change, and this time we said, “fuck that”. Let’s just do what we want and don’t worry about pissing anyone off. So, there was a lot of defiance in the attitude of what we were going to make.
What is your favorite track on the album and why?
A: My favourite tune is probably NDA. It’s one of the more different songs the band has ever done. It has almost an 80s feel-good synth pop thing happening but still has big guitars. And I think it’s some of the best lyrics the band has written and the vocal melodies really bury in your brain. And of course Saxl Rose crushed the saxophone sections and brought some sex into the song. I love it.
Your music interweaves so many different styles and sounds. If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
A: From a musician standpoint, it would probably be Dave Grohl, James Hetfield or Trent Reznor. I think they are all geniuses of course, but all have been really influential on me and are just people I look up to. Just getting to see how the best people in their field work is something I try to be a part of if I can. If I could do anything with Jerry Cantrell from Alice In Chains, that would be a big deal for me. His songwriting and tasteful playing and tone is something I try to emulate in my own way, I also would love to work with Rick Rubin as a producer at some point in my life. I follow his philosophy as much as I can to learn on how to achieve greatness.
What’s been your favorite musical experience to date?
A: It’s hard to put a pin on one. Some of my favourite moments are God Forbid doing Ozzfest back in 2004 with Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slayer, Slipknot and all our friends bands. I was so young, and never thought I’d get to be in the same world as these legends. I’ve had the good fortune to tour with Metallica twice, recently on their M72 Stadium tour. That felt like a real achievement. I also play in a band with Rob and Kirk from Metallica called the Wedding Band, and that’s a surreal experience. Just having all the opportunities I am afforded is really gratifying.
Where are you based? Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?
A: I’m from New Jersey and came up in the hardcore scene which was a melting pot of all things underground and I think that really shaped my musical palette being so diverse. I live in Los Angeles now which of course has probably the most storied history of any city when it comes to rock n roll. I think it embodies what we think of as the rock n roll lifestyle, which I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t infatuated with that lore and kind of living in it sometimes. But also, LA is just an engine for the industry. There is so much talent and kind of an inertia of creativity and activity. You always feel like you are close to the action and for me, that’s inspiring.
If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
A: I’ve gotten to perform at many of the venues I’ve dreamt about. The only ones left for me to perform at are Madison Square Garden in New York. It’s the most famous arena in the world and I’m also a New York Knicks fan so it’s a bucket list venue for just about anyone. Also on the list is Wembley Stadium in London, because of Queen of course, and the Forum in Los Angeles. I’m an NBA fan and it’s where the Showtime Lakers played so that would be amazing.
Finally, have you got anything to share regarding upcoming gigs and what have you got planned for 2024?
A: I, myself, will be joining up with Metal Allegiance for a show in Anaheim, CA in January of 2024 which I am really looking forward to. Many of my heroes like Alex Skolnick, Dave Ellefson, Gary Holt, and Andreas Kisser will also be performing so I’m equally excited and scared. I’m sure Bad Wolves will be adding tour dates ASAP. It will be a busy year I’m sure. Stay tuned.