BAD WOLVES To Join SKILLET On Fall 2026 Tour

BAD WOLVES issued their new single and music video "Paint It Red" via Better Noise Music at the top of the summer. It served as the band's first release of 2026 and the opening salvo for new singer Sara "Killboy" Skinner, who made her fiery debut as the band's new vocalist with the track.

Today, BAD WOLVES announced they will support SKILLET on the latter act's fall 2026 headline tour. Additional support on the trek will come from ESCAPE THE FATE. The tour will serve as Killjoy's live debut in her new role as BAD WOLVES' frontwoman. Prepare for her to join her bandmates in laying waste to stages across the U.S. It's a live baptism you won't want to miss, as it also marks the live debut of "Paint It Red" and Killboy putting her stamp on fan favorites and the band's catalog of hits.

"I'm stoked that our first tour together will be with SKILLET and ESCAPE THE FATE," enthuses Killboy. "John, AJ, Derek and I are ready to get out there and bring this new era of BAD WOLVES to the stage along with some of the songs you've known and loved over the years. I can't wait to finally meet the Wolves!"

BAD WOLVES' bold new era will showcase performances that signal a fresh evolution of their sound. The tour package will deliver a dynamic collision of legacy and reinvention, uniting two of today's most formidable forces in rock. Expect high energy, massive hooks, and a set of shows built for both longtime fans and a new generation.

BAD WOLVES on tour with SKILLET and ESCAPE THE FATE:

Sep. 30 - Schenectady, NY - Proctors Theatre
Oct. 02 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
Oct. 03 - Montclair, NJ - The Wellmont Theater
Oct. 04 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
Oct. 07 - Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Oct. 08 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
Oct. 10 - Grand Rapids, MI - GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Oct. 11 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
Oct. 12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Citizens Live at The Wylie
Oct. 14 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
Oct. 16 - Minneapolis, MN - Uptown Theater
Oct. 17 - Milwaukee, WI - Landmark Credit Union Live
Oct. 18 - Omaha, NE - Steelhouse Omaha
Oct. 20 - Kansas City, MO - The Midland Theatre
Oct. 22 - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
Oct. 23 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Union Event Center
Oct. 26 - Airway Heights, WA - Pend Oreille Pavilion at Northern Quest
Oct. 27 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
Oct. 30 - Wheatland, CA - Hard Rock Live Sacramento
Oct. 31 - Inglewood, CA - YouTube Theater
Nov. 01 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
Nov. 05 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
Nov. 06 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theatre
Nov. 10 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues

Regarding the onset of this chapter, BAD WOLVES founder, drummer and songwriter John Boecklin commented: "When we started looking for the next voice of BAD WOLVES, we weren't looking for someone to fill a spot; we were looking for someone who could help push this band into its next chapter.

"The first time I heard Sara sing, I knew she was different," he continued. "She has an incredible voice, undeniable presence, and the kind of versatility that allows us to take our songwriting to places we've never gone before. Beyond the talent, she's brought a renewed energy and excitement into this band.

"Sara isn't here to recreate the past, she's here to help us build the future," he added. "We couldn't be more excited to welcome her to the BAD WOLVES family and for everyone to hear what we've been working on together."

There's no better way to start this chapter than "Paint It Red". Propelled by pummeling drums and a head-nodding groove, the track fuses Killboy's dynamic delivery to an airtight polyrhythmic riff. Once again, the track illustrates the group's uncanny ability to marry skyscraper-size melodies and intricately crushing instrumentation. Baptized in crimson, the chorus culminates on an ominous, yet entrancing chant, "And watch the blood flow down like a river from my mouth…'Cause they won't miss you when you're dead, so paint it red."

BAD WOLVES 2026 is:

Derek Bolman - Bass
AJ Rebollo - Guitar
Sara "Killboy" Skinner - Vocals
John Boecklin - Drums

Regarding the song, Killboy states, "'Paint It Red' is about being unafraid to tear everything down and start over — again and again if that's what it takes. With blood, sweat, and tears, every single time. To live authentically and follow your heart, you have to be willing to rebuild when something no longer serves who you are. You can't be afraid of change, failure, or starting from scratch. Sometimes growth means letting go of what you've built so you can create something even better. 'Paint It Red' is about having the courage to burn away what's holding you back and the strength to begin again."

Boecklin elaborated: "'Paint It Red' is a metaphor for those moments in life when being polite, diplomatic, or even democratic, no longer works. Not all the time. Not often. But there comes a point when enough is enough. There are moments when it's time to stop asking for permission and start making decisions for yourself. To do what you want to do, regardless of the consequences. Even if it's the wrong decision, at least it's yours. Then you live with it. Burn it down. Tear it apart. Cause some chaos if that's what needs to happen. There's something freeing about reaching that point — when you know it's time to sound the alarm and let everyone know to back the fuck off. 'Paint It Red' is about taking control, owning your choices, and refusing to let anyone else dictate your path."

BAD WOLVES continue to break all of the rules, merging mind-numbing riffs and rhythms with massive, stadium-size melodies. This uncanny fusion of finesse and fire has quietly cemented the Nashville-based band as a multi-platinum powerhouse. Founded by Boecklin in 2018, the quartet shows no signs of stopping or slowing down either. Thus far, they have garnered a three-times-platinum single and two gold singles in addition to scoring six No. 1 entries at radio and gathering billions of streams. Beyond acclaim from Billboard, Outburn, Loudwire, and more, the group has stood out as a presence versatile enough to collaborate with either DAUGHTRY or ICE NINE KILLS. Beyond touring with PAPA ROACH, VOLBEAT, HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD and more, they have sold out successive headline tours. Welcoming Killboy on the microphone in 2026, they blow the hinges off on their next era with the new single "Paint It Red" — with much more to come.

Photo credit: Evan Aparicio