Blab Music
Bad Wolves Launch New Era with Sara "Killboy" Skinner, Single "Paint It Red" and New Bassist Derek Bolman
On June 29 2026, Los Angeles‑based hard‑rock outfit Bad Wolves dropped a headline‑making announcement: a new lineup, a fresh voice, and a brand‑new single that signals the start of a new chapter.
The band revealed that vocalist Sara “Killboy” Skinner will be the frontwoman for the first time, bassist Derek Bolman will fill the low‑end, and drummer‑founder John Boecklin will continue steering the ship. Their first release of the year, the single “Paint It Red,” debuted alongside an official music video that dramatizes the theme of rebuilding from the ground up.
This move comes after a tumultuous period. In 2025 Bad Wolves lost several key members—including original frontman Tommy Vext and guitarist Doc Coyle. Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who had taken over vocal duties in 2021, departed in mid‑2025 to join Falling in Reverse, leaving Boecklin to rebuild.
Skinner’s path to the band began two years earlier. In 2023 she joined the group for a duet on “It’s You (2 Months)” from the album Die About It. After that collaboration, Boecklin approached her about a permanent role. She accepted, and “Paint It Red” marks her first full‑time appearance.
The lyrics of “Paint It Red” explore leaving the past behind and forging a new future. The accompanying video reinforces that narrative with scenes of demolition and reconstruction, giving listeners a visual cue that a fresh era is underway.
While the track has yet to chart, it is positioned as the opening of a series of releases that will lead up to the band’s fifth studio album. Details on the album are expected later in 2026.
Bad Wolves formed in 2017 and quickly rose to prominence with a platinum‑certified cover of the Cranberries’ “Zombie.” They have since released four studio albums—Disobey (2018), N.A.T.I.O.N. (2019), Dear Monsters (2021), and Die About It (2023)—and several singles have topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, including “Remember When,” “Killing Me Slowly,” and “Sober.” The group is signed to Better Noise Music.
Introducing Skinner and Bolman signals a new direction. Skinner is the first female vocalist to record with Bad Wolves, while Bolman replaces former bassist Kyle Konkiel, who left during the 2025 overhaul. Together with Boecklin and guitarist AJ Rebollo, the trio will record the upcoming album.
Industry observers note that releasing a single with a new vocalist is a common strategy for bands undergoing lineup changes. It allows the group to gauge audience reaction before committing to a full album. The music video’s release on major streaming platforms provides a visual hook that can attract new listeners.
No official release date has yet been set for the fifth studio album. Management has indicated that it will arrive later in 2026, following a series of promotional singles. Fans can expect further updates via the band’s social media channels and official website.
In short, Bad Wolves have re‑established their lineup with Sara “Killboy” Skinner on vocals and Derek Bolman on bass, and have launched “Paint It Red” as the first step toward a new album. The release marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for the group, which has a history of chart‑successing singles and a dedicated fan base. Additional details about the album’s release schedule, touring plans, and future singles will be announced in the coming months.
The band revealed that vocalist Sara “Killboy” Skinner will be the frontwoman for the first time, bassist Derek Bolman will fill the low‑end, and drummer‑founder John Boecklin will continue steering the ship. Their first release of the year, the single “Paint It Red,” debuted alongside an official music video that dramatizes the theme of rebuilding from the ground up.
This move comes after a tumultuous period. In 2025 Bad Wolves lost several key members—including original frontman Tommy Vext and guitarist Doc Coyle. Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who had taken over vocal duties in 2021, departed in mid‑2025 to join Falling in Reverse, leaving Boecklin to rebuild.
Skinner’s path to the band began two years earlier. In 2023 she joined the group for a duet on “It’s You (2 Months)” from the album Die About It. After that collaboration, Boecklin approached her about a permanent role. She accepted, and “Paint It Red” marks her first full‑time appearance.
The lyrics of “Paint It Red” explore leaving the past behind and forging a new future. The accompanying video reinforces that narrative with scenes of demolition and reconstruction, giving listeners a visual cue that a fresh era is underway.
While the track has yet to chart, it is positioned as the opening of a series of releases that will lead up to the band’s fifth studio album. Details on the album are expected later in 2026.
Bad Wolves formed in 2017 and quickly rose to prominence with a platinum‑certified cover of the Cranberries’ “Zombie.” They have since released four studio albums—Disobey (2018), N.A.T.I.O.N. (2019), Dear Monsters (2021), and Die About It (2023)—and several singles have topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, including “Remember When,” “Killing Me Slowly,” and “Sober.” The group is signed to Better Noise Music.
Introducing Skinner and Bolman signals a new direction. Skinner is the first female vocalist to record with Bad Wolves, while Bolman replaces former bassist Kyle Konkiel, who left during the 2025 overhaul. Together with Boecklin and guitarist AJ Rebollo, the trio will record the upcoming album.
Industry observers note that releasing a single with a new vocalist is a common strategy for bands undergoing lineup changes. It allows the group to gauge audience reaction before committing to a full album. The music video’s release on major streaming platforms provides a visual hook that can attract new listeners.
No official release date has yet been set for the fifth studio album. Management has indicated that it will arrive later in 2026, following a series of promotional singles. Fans can expect further updates via the band’s social media channels and official website.
In short, Bad Wolves have re‑established their lineup with Sara “Killboy” Skinner on vocals and Derek Bolman on bass, and have launched “Paint It Red” as the first step toward a new album. The release marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for the group, which has a history of chart‑successing singles and a dedicated fan base. Additional details about the album’s release schedule, touring plans, and future singles will be announced in the coming months.
