Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo has announced his departure from the band, pointing to ongoing disagreements with the group’s label and a dispute surrounding an upcoming cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Former Bad Wolves singer Tommy Vext has now reacted to the guitarist’s decision, suggesting Rebollo’s account reflects some of the problems he previously experienced with the band.
Rebollo, who joined Bad Wolves as a touring guitarist in 2023 and remained with the group afterward, explained in a lengthy statement that his departure was not the result of a single disagreement. However, he said the decision to move forward with the Dolly Parton cover became the breaking point.
“This will be a long one. So if you don’t want to stay for the whole thing, the main point is – I am making the decision to step away as a member of Bad Wolves. In short. I can no longer in good faith remain a member and co-sign the decisions constantly being made FOR this band by the label. among other issues I have with the inner workings of the business.”
Rebollo said he had already disagreed with several decisions involving the band before the dispute over the cover emerged.
“When I stepped into the picture, a part of me knew what I was getting into, but the full extent of it was unknown to me. I have been at odds with one too many decisions being made for the band for quite some time, but the final nail in the coffin was the label’s decision to move forward with the upcoming Dolly Parton cover, after we blatantly expressed our opposition.”
According to Rebollo, the band had told the label that it no longer wanted to release the cover following Parton’s death. He explained that the original plan had involved a collaboration with Parton and that, without her participation, the musicians were concerned about how releasing the song would be perceived.
“We, as an entity, told the label we had no interest in releasing the cover after learning of Dolly’s unfortunate passing as her collaboration on the song was no longer a possibility, and we felt it would (understandably) be interpreted as somewhat of a capitalization on her passing from an outside perspective. They went ahead and posted that we were releasing it anyway, despite efforts from more than one member, myself included, to oppose it.”
Rebollo also contrasted his experience in Bad Wolves with his previous time in Issues, saying he valued the creative autonomy that band had with its label.
“Coming from Issues made me appreciate the autonomy we had as a band. We were fortunate enough to have worked with a label that cared for us, not only as musicians. but as people. They trusted our vision. never pushed anything on us that we didn’t want to do for ourselves, and ultimately felt like team members, not bosses. That’s been a dynamic that I have strived for within Bad Wolves for quite some time. There are some undeniably incredible people at Better Noise, but I will not stand by as yet another decision is being made for us that we are entirely opposed to, one that we — as the faces of this band — will receive the brunt of the scrutiny and ridicule for.
While the donation to her Imagination Library is an incredible choice to do something good with the profits. I can’t help but feel there is ill intent behind the decision to release the song.”
The guitarist said decisions outside the musicians’ control had also resulted in significant negativity being directed toward the band members themselves.
“With the label completely disregarding numerous decisions we make out of passion, and ultimately just unknowingly exhausting the band’s attempts to fully enjoy being here, I am no longer happy here. The amount of hate, negativity. and harassment we receive on a daily basis due to decisions made outside of our control has taken a massive toll on our sanity.”
Despite his frustration, Rebollo stressed that his statement was not intended as an attack on his bandmates or everyone associated with the label. He also praised the upcoming Bad Wolves album he helped create.
“This is not. by any means, some sort of call to arms against anyone, nor do I wish ill will on anyone involved in the label’s decision making. I absolutely loved the time I got to spend with the band. I love them all (the old and new members) as bandmates, people. and friends. I loved creating this upcoming album with them as I think it is a genuinely incredible piece of art, but this is a decision I just have to make.”
Rebollo acknowledged that walking away also creates uncertainty about his own career and livelihood.
“Music is my job, my livelihood, and most importantly. my passion. Stepping away from this is absolutely terrifying as I am sacrificing what little I have left when it comes to stability within the music world. I do not know what the future holds for me regarding that.”
The situation quickly drew a reaction from Vext, whose own departure from Bad Wolves was followed by a highly public dispute surrounding his relationship with the band and its management. Responding to Rebollo’s announcement, the former frontman suggested the guitarist’s comments cast those earlier conflicts in a different light.
“Maybe I wasn’t the problem after all. This took a lot of balls to stand up against this label. No one should be forced to go through this PR humiliation for the sake of a cash grab or attention. Much respect.”
Rebollo’s exit now puts renewed attention on the relationship between Bad Wolves and its label, particularly his claim that band members opposed the decision to move forward with “Jolene.” His statement makes clear that the cover was only the final point in a longer period of frustration, while Vext’s response has brought the band’s previous internal disputes back into the conversation.
