Change is inevitable in the music industry, but few shake-ups hit as hard as losing two key members at once. Bad Wolves have announced the departures of guitarist Doc Coyle and bassist Kyle Konkiel, marking the end of an era for the hard rock group. Stepping in to fill their roles are returning guitarist Chris Cain and new bassist Kevin Creekman.
Coyle, who has been with Bad Wolves for nearly nine years, took to social media to share his thoughts on the decision: “Dear Wolfpack, I regret to inform you that I have decided to part ways with Bad Wolves. It was not an easy decision to make. I have been playing with the band for almost 9 years, so this is a massive life change for me. It should be said that this is a completely amicable split. I love John, Kyle, DL, and AJ. Not being in the trenches going forward with my boys is the hardest part of all of this. But this has been coming for a long while, and I think my time in the band has just run its course.”
While Coyle didn’t go into deep detail about his reasons for leaving, he hinted at the toll that being in the band had taken on him: “I feel like I’ve lost a bit of who I am as a creative and where my passion lies. Being in this band has brought challenges that have taken quite an emotional toll and burned me out. Through the ups and downs, I’ve done everything in my power to make Bad Wolves successful. I’m very proud of our work, the albums we made, and overcoming the adversity we faced. But it’s time for a fresh start.”
Reflecting on the band’s breakthrough success in 2018, Coyle expressed gratitude for the unexpected second wind in his career: “Breaking out the way we did in 2018 gave me a 2nd chapter to my career that I could never have dreamed of. Being in our late 30s and receiving #1 singles, gold albums, and arena tours right out of the gate was a stunning achievement. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities and doors that have opened since I was in Bad Wolves. And I’m proud of the fact that it inspired many musicians to keep grinding it out. If we could do it, you could do it.”
He also took a moment to thank the team behind the band and, most importantly, the fans: “I want to thank everyone who worked with the band all these years—everyone at 10th Street Management and Better Noise Music, Eric and MSK, Independent Artist Group, every single crew member we’ve had, everyone who’s written songs with us or done production work on any of our albums, but most of all I want to thank the Bad Wolves fans. Your dedication has been a true inspiration. We’ve gotten each other through lots of hard times. The Wolfpack really is a family to me. Any time I’ve had the chance to meet you in person, give you a hug, share your story, or take a picture together has meant the world to me. I will forever be grateful for your support.”
As for his next move? He’s keeping his options open: “What’s next? I’m not sure, but for the first time in a long time, I have nothing on the books. My schedule is wide open. That frightens me and excites me. I’m writing music. I’m on a journey to find out what the hell it is I want in life. And it’s ok to not have all the answers right now. If you know me, you know that I’m not very good at staying idle, so I’m sure I’ll see you all soon.”
Konkiel, who has spent eight years in the band, echoed similar sentiments in his own statement: “After eight incredible years, I’ve decided to step down from Bad Wolves. This wasn’t an easy choice, but after much reflection, I know in my heart that I can no longer give this band 100%. And anything less wouldn’t be fair to the music, my bandmates, or the fans.”
Like Coyle, he is ready to explore new creative avenues: “There are so many things I still want to accomplish in my career, and I feel now is the time to explore new creative paths, whether on my own or in a new project. The memories, the shows, and the experiences over the past near-decade will always hold a special place in my heart. I wish John, DL, and AJ nothing but success and will continue to cheer them on however I can. And as for my brother Doc, you already know I’ve got his back for life. We’ve been through more together than most bands ever do, and my support doesn’t end here.”
As for the fans, Konkiel made it clear that this isn’t goodbye forever: “To all the incredible fans, crew, and fellow musicians I’ve met along the way, thank you. Your support has meant everything, and I look forward to crossing paths again in whatever comes next. This isn’t the end. Just the start of a new chapter.”
While the departure of two key members is never easy, the band appears to be pushing forward.
Bad Wolves band founder and drummer, John Boecklin expressed the deepest gratitude for both Doc‘s and Kyle‘s contributions over the years: “Words can’t really express what Kyle and Doc mean to me as bandmates, as well as friends. I love them with all my heart and I wish them luck on their journey. Having Chris return home feels so right, we’ve already been writing so he’s back in the saddle. Creekman is brand new .. to us and the fans, so let’s welcome him into this next chapter and go kill it.”
Bad Wolves most recent album, Die About It, dropped in 2023 and featured the hit single “Legends Never Die”, which climbed to No. 3 on the Active Rock radio chart.
Another standout track, “Hungry For Life”, featured Grammy-nominated rock singer-songwriter Chris Daughtry. The album was co-produced by Josh Gilbert (As I Lay Dying) alongside drummer John Boecklin and singer Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz.
