Bad Wolves Singer Sara Killboy Speaks Out After Skillet Tour Removal and Guitarist Departure
Los Angeles metal outfit Bad Wolves face an immediate industry crisis after being dropped from an upcoming fall tour with Christian rock group Skillet, compounding internal turmoil that recently included the departure of guitarist AJ Rebollo and last year’s exit of frontman D.L. Laskiewicz.
Tour Removal and Fanbase Backlash Against Sara Skinner
The sequence of events unraveled in late August, when Bad Wolves announced they were confirmed for a fall tour featuring Skillet and Escape The Fate. According to reporting by The PRP, the band was subsequently ejected from the bill due to intense harassment directed at newly minted vocalist Sara “KILLBOY” Skinner from Skillet’s religiously minded fanbase.
Skinner addressed the removal directly in a video statement released on August 25. “I have gathered you all here today to inform you that Bad Wolves will no longer be joining Skillet on their upcoming tour,” Skinner stated, as transcribed by The PRP. “Skillet’s camp did not want me to say anything, but apparently a statement has to be made. And I’m not someone who’s ever hidden who the fuck I am, so let’s not leave you to speculate, okay?”
Detailing the catalyst for the removal, Skinner explained that Skillet’s booking agents and management failed to perform background research before announcing the lineup. “Here’s the truth,” Skinner continued. “Skillet announced us on their tour, and their fans had a field day doing very extensive research that their booking agents and management did not do. Upon their findings, I am a trans, OnlyFans, bitch. Now unfortunately, only one of those things is true. Have fun finding out and we will see you on the next tour.”
As of press time, Skillet has not publicly commented on the removal. Following the announcement, Bad Wolves shared a brief message on social media reading, “love our sw trans and lgbtq family,” as noted by The PRP.
Guitarist AJ Rebollo Departs Over Dolly Parton Cover Dispute
Guitarist AJ Rebollo announced his departure from Bad Wolves, citing a direct conflict with their label, Better Noise Music, over an upcoming cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”
Rebollo expressed deep frustration with label oversight, noting that administrative decisions made outside the band’s control severely impacted their morale.
Commercial Outlook and Label Strategy
The controversial “Jolene” cover is scheduled for release on Monday, August 31. Band founder John Boecklin previously defended the project in a press release cited by Records on Repeat, emphasizing that proceeds from the track are intended to benefit the Imagination Library to honor Parton’s legacy.
Bad Wolves, who achieved mainstream prominence with their 2018 cover of “Zombie” by The Cranberries, now navigate an increasingly uncertain commercial path as they prepare for autumn without a confirmed tour supporting Skinner’s introduction.
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