Tommy Vext Issues ‘Official Statement’ on Bad Wolves Exit, Launches GoFundMe for Solo Project
Tommy Vext has a lot to say regarding his exit from Bad Wolves, as well as the press he has received following sharing a number of opinions including
unsubstantiated conspiracy theories related to racism and the Black Live Matter movement and protests.
In a lengthy Instagram post he labeled “official statement,” Vext writes the following:
“Dear friends,
Let me start by expressing a huge debt of gratitude to all the fans, all the people at the label, the management, and everyone who helped in establishing my band Bad Wolves’ career.
I take great pride and sincerity in what we have accomplished together. Bad Wolves became the fastest rising rock band of the last decade with 5 number one consecutive hit singles. Thanks to the massive support from our fans we exploded into mainstream rock consciousness and (no small feat for a metal band) we even held the #1 spot across the entire Apple Music Platform on all continents. We accumulated hundreds of millions of streams, and as a result YOU helped us we giving back hundreds of thousands of dollars to various charities.
Our future was bright, and our trajectory was undeniable, until Covid struck and changed all our lives. I saw things happening that I didn’t understand. During the first quarantine I publicly voiced my concerns about where we are going as a nation and what is happening to America, the country I love.
I voiced my disappointment of protests turning into violent riots. Cities, businesses, lives destroyed “mostly peacefully”. I criticized the media standing idle and even condoning that behavior. I pointed out that Good causes were infiltrated by bad actors, hijacked and delegitimized a good movement. I dared to question who financially benefits from this and who was funding these events. I questioned the lockdowns as small businesses were driven into bankruptcy yet big chains were allowed to operate. I questioned the imposed social distancing and why rioting and looting are exempt, or why you can’t have family gatherings or eat at restaurants unless you are a politician. A repeated hypocrisy we saw time and again.
And for this they came after me.
Me, an African American artist speaking his mind. I became unacceptable by 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.
These events really opened my eyes, because this was no longer just an urban legend.”
In addition to Vext’s far-right views, he also received press following allegations of domestic violence from ex-girlfriend Whitney Johns. Per Metal Sucks, Johns was granted a two-year domestic violence restraining order last month on Vext from the Superior Court of California following a five-day virtual trial in Los Angeles. Vext has denied Johns’ allegations which included a number of instances of graphic physical violence against Johns.
In the aftermath of his exit from Bad Wolves, Vext has launched a GoFundMe campaign for an upcoming solo project. Vext’s message on the GoFundMe page reads as follows:
“Dear Wolfpack,
In April of 2020, I began recording what was to be the 3rd Bad Wolves Record as well as a double covers album. Due to covid 19 I found myself collaborating digitally with the same outside producers and songwriters that have contributed largely to the band’s debut & sophomore albums. After tracking 37 songs without much input from my ex-band members it was clear I had created a solo project. Many of the songs were previewed on Patreon but now it’s time to finalize all three albums.
As a result, I got stuck with a studio bill and no label to advance the completion of these recordings. Times have been tough for many of us and It’s my intention to GIVE AWAY A BRAND NEW COVER ALBUM I WILL RECORD AFTER THE CAMPAIGN IS DONE FOR FREE TO EVERYONE WHO DONATES whether it be one dollar or one hundred dollars for helping me finish what I started and continue my passion.
Over the past 11 years of my sobriety, I’ve spent some of the best moments of my life giving back. I’ve helped organize campaigns that have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to various charities. I saw it through that Bad Wolves would donate the proceeds from sales of ‘Zombie’ to the late Dolores O’Riordans children. As a band we have donated proceeds to non-profits like Rock to Recovery, the global recovery initiatives & fallen law enforcement officers wounded in the line of duty. So it comes with great humility that I now have to ask my friends family and supporters in the Wolfpack to help me this time.
Every show night end our concerts by saying ‘Thank you for giving me a life beyond my wildest dreams’ words that you all have breathed truth into. It has been an honor and a privilege to meet and connect with all of you whether in person or through the healing power of music. In 2018 we broke world records together and it is my hope that we can all do it one more time by saying fuck you to the system & allowing honest artists to exercise free speech. This is a call to action like I never have before.”
Since going live and as of publishing, Vext has surpassed his GoFundMe goal of $100,000. Vext has updated the page writing, “If we raise enough money I can start my own record label and Merch company. Additionally, I can hire an attorney to handle this separation properly.”
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