Tommy Vext’s Ex-Manager Responds to Singer’s Lawsuit, Allegations of Racism
Allen Kovac, the head of Better Noise Music and a former manager of Tommy Vext while Vext was the singer in Better Noise band Bad Wolves, has commented on the musician's recent lawsuit against him. In his statement from Monday (July 26), Kovac also responded to Vext's claims that the music executive lobbed racist remarks during that time.
As told by TMZ on Sunday (July 25), Vext this month alleged breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty against Kovac, reportedly suing him for more than $10 million. The vocalist, who parted ways with Bad Wolves at the start of 2021, claimed there was a conspiracy to have him kicked out of the group.
Vext, who is Black, suggested it was insinuated he was not "Black enough" to be in the band, as TMZ reported, due to his political ideologies and support of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Vext further indicated that Kovac had used racial slurs around him, including the N-word. The singer's racism accusations come after Vext previously suggested racism doesn't exist and is only "manufactured" by the media.
In his reply, the Better Noise founder and CEO denied all of Vext's charges against him.
"I am disappointed to see these accusations from Tommy against me, [my management firm] 10th Street Management and Better Noise Music," Kovac said on Monday. "They are categorically false. In 40 years in the music business, I have never made any derogatory racist comments, been accused of doing so, or been sued by an artist. Tommy Vext, a self-proclaimed QAnon supporter, has dragged us into a ridiculous, unfounded narrative that falsely paints him as a victim."
He continued, "Tommy quit Bad Wolves in January 2021 after being abusive to his band members, and he has since waged an all-out assault against the band and its members on social media. Behind the scenes, he and his team of lawyers have been trying to extort the band and the record company for a big payout."
However, because those tactics were "not successful," Kovac asserted, Vext "upped the ante and filed this bogus and spurious lawsuit to get leverage in contract negotiations. But this strategic ploy won't work. We will not be extorted and will defend and defeat these phony claims in court. As a management company and record label, we pride ourselves on working with artists from all different walks of life and encourage them to speak their minds creatively and authentically. I have never forced political beliefs or values on any of our artists or employees, but I also will not tolerate when people create a hostile environment."
Appended to the executive's statement was a corroborating comment jointly ascribed to Bad Wolves drummer John Boecklin and lead guitarist Doc Coyle. They said, "In all our dealings with Allen Kovac, he has never used any derogatory racial slurs. Tommy is making all of this up. Period."
At least one other musician who has a history with Kovac was also displeased with the executive's behavior. In a 2012 declaration filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to Deadline, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler said, "It is an understatement to say that I was very unhappy with the services and conduct of Allen Kovac. Among other things, he was disrespectful and rude to my business associates, insulted and verbally abused my fiancé, my lawyer, my family, my assistants and my accountants."
Better Noise is the current name for the rock label formerly known as Eleven Seven. Until 2019, the outfit traded as Eleven Seven Label Group, with Eleven Seven, Better Noise and Five Seven as imprints.