Bad Wolves, a platinum-certified band from Los Angeles, has been redefining the boundaries of hard rock since their formation. Their blend of earthshaking heaviness, enigmatic experimentation, and enthralling melodies has set them apart in the music industry. Today, we delve into an exclusive interview with Doc Coyle, the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of Bad Wolves, exploring the band’s journey and their relentless pursuit of musical innovation.
The story of Bad Wolves began with a vision to create something unconventional in the realm of heavy music. Their debut album ‘Disobey’ immediately made waves, featuring a platinum and a gold single and securing a spot in the top 25 of the Billboard 200.
Bad Wolves stand out for their ability to fuse various genres into their music. Their signature style integrates rafter-reaching hooks with pit-splitting riffs and mind-bending rhythms while always being open to unexpected twists and turns.
We caught up with guitarist Doc Coyle over Zoom to talk music, guesting for other bands and the return of his former band, God Forbid.
Hey Doc. I appreciate your time. You’re one of the busiest men out there, I think.
You’re not wrong there.
Are you one of those people with like a million tabs open in your head all the time?
Yeah, well, things are winding down a bit now.
I was with Ice Nine Kills for most of the year and before that, working on the Bad Wolves album. And then my old band, God Forbid, did a reunion show. So two of those projects are kind of in the rearview mirror for this year. I can just focus on Bad Wolves for now. Just the last couple of days, I realized I’m burnt out. The weight of everything is hitting me. I’m trying to figure out how to rest and take everything in
Like you say, you’ve been out with Ice Nine Kills, writing this new album, doing blogs and podcasting. And now this tour runs almost up until the holidays. Which part of your life gives you the most satisfaction right now?
I’m really comfortable on the road, that vagabond lifestyle, being about the world. I connect to the live experience more than the studio experience. I get restless, even though I enjoy it. When you’re locked in creatively, it’s special, but I’m a road dog. Getting out there and making it happen.
There’s a simplicity to that life that works for me. It almost hurts me in normal life. When I go home, it takes me a month to adjust to day-to-day life.
It seems like everyone wants you to play with them. What do you get from playing with other band that’s different from your main job?
Every environment is different. People, music, work approaches are different. You have to be adaptable, taking different roles. With someone like Ice Nine Kills, the music is almost secondary to the stage show. You feel like a small piece of a bigger puzzle. With God forbid, I pretty much run the show. I deal with logistics, organize the band, set lists, merch. It’s about being aware and learning. Every new situation is a learning opportunity. Be of service, make others’ jobs easier. That’s why I keep getting work. I hope I make everything flow smoother.
Let’s talk about the God forbid show. How did playing with that band again make you feel?
It was surreal. We did support shows, opened for Lacuna Coil and Hatebreed. It was weird; a good portion of the audience didn’t know us. We were like a new band. Playing 20-year-old songs felt fresh. There’s a lot of power to God Forbid’s music live. It’s intense for me personally, a big piece of my soul. I grappled with the idea that it was my only thing. Now, I don’t need it, but it’s still a part of me. It’s not my identity, even though it’s a big piece of it.
The Bad Wolves album has been out a couple of weeks. How’s the reaction been?
The reaction’s been better to the album as a whole than the singles. People understand the bigger picture. It’s encouraging. It might be slowly discovered over time. There’s more depth to this album. People are connecting to different songs organically. The response has been very good. Friends like Chris Daughtry are praising it. It’s cool to see. We’re at the beginning of sharing this music and exposing it. You’ve got to sell it, “Hey, look at us. We got a new thing.” I love playing songs live, seeing how they connect face-to-face. This album feels like it has more depth.
You’ve got this tour, then a break for the holidays. What’s 2024 looking like?
We’re talking about headline tours in the States. Nothing’s locked down yet. Probably a lot of time on the road. Hopefully less burnt out!
Watch the full interview below:
Bad Wolves “Die About It” is out now.
