Supergroups often have a certain commercial aftertaste. But Bands like BAD WOLVES from the USA show that there can be a lot of passion and joy behind such projects. We talked to drummer John Boecklin about the band and the debut „Disobey“.
You can be called an All-Star-Band for sure. How came BAD WOLVES into being? BAD WOLVES started around mid 2014 when I left Devildriver and started writing songs for a new project. I knew I wanted to pursue music, yet it was a long journey in finding what style BAD WOLVES is musically.
You recorded your Debut „Disobey“ in various studios and with various producers. What was the reason for doing it that way? We recorded in many studios for the simple reason the record was written over many years so one place became illogical. Once Tommy joined the band he had Joseph McQueen do vocals in LA as he loves his work, I chose Mark Lewis for drums and producing because I’ve worked with him in the past and admire his drum tones and input. Kane churko was our choice to handle the radio songs as he has had so much experience in that department. We had time on our side so we went where we wanted!
The Album is called „Disobey“ and shows an armed man, that reminds of a policeman. What is the meaning of the title and the cover?
„Disobey“ and it’s cover is a metaphor for many things. For me, I think of it as correct choices I’ve made in my life considered to be wrong by many. Our culture nurtures you to make „safe“ decisions that often lead to being trapped. Thinking for yourself leads to freedom of the mind and body.
You mix a few different styles of music on this record. Where did you get the inspirations for „Disobey“ from? The body of work on „Disobey“ is inspired from our collective musical past and setting a goal of not repeating it. That’s why this record sounds like nothing we have done before because we aren’t conforming a sound to a past creative. Options were limitless. Yet we didn’t want to be a prog/experimental band. We want to stay straight ahead with moments of tech and speed.
In his main Band Divine Heresy your Vocalist Tommy Vext uses a lot of Growls, but in BAD WOLVES he uses more clean vocals than growls. Was that his decision or does your music just need more clean vocals? The band since day one has always been that of a musical realm which melodic clean vocals suite the tracks better. It was a conscience road we took to have mostly singing.
Back in January you released your version of „Zombie“, the greatest hit of The Cranberries. Did you ever think about not releasing it after the sudden death of Dolores O’Riordan? 
We decided after Dolores passed that the world should hear our version she loved and that making it a tribute while donating all proceeds to her three existing children was appropriate.
Why did you decide to change a few Lyrics of „Zombie“ for your version?
With changing the lyrics to zombie, We felt the vibe of the song and it’s lyrics pertaining to unjust death in civil unrest still exists today, everywhere . So we added 2018 to demonstrate that.
Do you already have plans for a tour in europe, maybe also in Germany? We will most certainly be touring Europe in late 2018 or early 2019. We can’t fucking wait to get over there and bring our show to the fans !
What are your plans for BAD WOLVES in the next years? Are you going to release more music or is BAD WOLVES rather a one-shot Project?
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