The Antihero Broadcast

Friendsday w/ Waylon Reavis (A Killer's Confession)

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Tyler France (The Antihero Podcast)
Guests: Waylon Revis (A Killer’s Confession, ex-Mushroomhead), Mike (Law Enforcement Officer), Jimmy (Co-host)

Episode Overview

This Friendsday episode features an in-depth, candid conversation with Waylon Revis—frontman of A Killer’s Confession and former Mushroomhead vocalist. Geared toward veterans, first responders, and blue-collar Americans, the show explores Waylon’s musical journey, sobriety, the challenges of the modern music industry, and, most intensely, his outspoken crusade against child exploitation. The dialogue touches on everything from music industry realities and mental health to faith, justice, and the power of purpose-driven art.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Musical Roots & Career Beginnings

• Waylon’s Upbringing: Grew up in rural North Carolina ("middle of nowhere," [08:09]) in a hard-working, bluegrass-influenced family. Named after country legend Waylon Jennings—his brother's name is Willie—highlighting country roots in a household where metal was not accepted due to his mother’s strict religious beliefs.
• First Steps in Music: Started vocalizing at 15, inspired by seeing the local scene and sneaking out to see Danzig, Marilyn Manson, and Korn. Early struggles ("I was the worst thing you've ever heard, it was better to listen to a cat in the heat," [15:44]).
• Breakthrough: Spent a decade grinding in North Carolina bands before catching Mushroomhead’s attention and joining after J Man’s departure.

2. Realities of the Modern Music Industry

• Changing Landscape: Discussed at length the collapse in music sales, streaming economy, and pressures from platforms like Spotify, which favor singles over albums.
  • "You get $4,000 for a million streams... back then a million records sold was $10 million." ([13:06])
• DIY and Authenticity: Runs his own merch; his wife handles orders—the band's business is truly hands-on and small-scale despite touring nationally.
• Industry Disillusionment: No desire for stardom or “mainstream metal”; prioritizes personal life and values being able to live anonymously.
  • “You lose the ability to go to Walmart. Life’s over.” ([14:17])

3. The Origin and Mission of A Killer’s Confession

• Message and Persona: Adopted a stage character and mask as a vessel for his music’s themes—using theatricality to confront dark realities.
  • "There's the character I play on stage, and then there's me, this dad… that’s what I care about." ([18:46])
• Purpose-Driven Art: A Killer’s Confession was born from Waylon’s trauma after working with children rescued from trafficking. The “Victim Trilogy” albums detail a fictional character's revenge against predators, serving as catharsis and commentary.
  • "Save a kid, kill a pedophile. Like, that's what we're about... I'm telling the story because... I couldn't forget what I had learned." ([23:28])
  • "My wife said, put it in song; put it in music." ([24:31])
• Technology and Songwriting: Frustration that attention spans have shortened and songs are getting shorter to fit social media trends.

4. The Fight Against Child Exploitation

• Unflinching Stance: The entire panel, especially Waylon, is adamant—no forgiveness, no rehabilitation for child predators.
  • “Dead pedos don’t reoffend.” ([48:46])
  • “The only way you can draw true attention to it is by saying something equally or greater, that's… uglier.” ([47:58])
• Personal Impact: Waylon recounts lasting nightmares from his time working with exploited children. He and the hosts discuss the psychological toll of seeing “the underbelly” and the imperative to speak out and use their platform.
  • “I had nightmares still... I had to apologize to myself.” ([27:12], [34:42])
• Systemic Failures: The law enforcement perspective (Mike) highlights that the system lets too many offenders off easy, often plea-bargaining down terrible offenses to avoid traumatizing young victims in court.
  • “My county has… 211 offenders... that’s huge. That’s just reported, documented.” ([68:55], [69:17])
• Advocacy through Art and Merch: The band sells "Save a Kid, Kill a Pedophile" apparel and speaks the message from the stage and literally on the back of their tour RV.

5. Public Perception and Backlash

• Risks of Outspokenness: Waylon admits that his message keeps him out of “the club” in terms of industry or mainstream support, and that even some bands keep their distance.
  • “There’s a club and I’m not invited… I’ll be taken care of as long as I speak the truth and the message.” ([36:35], [37:14])
• Faith and Morality: Waylon explains his Christianity as the moral foundation for his stance—though he rarely discusses his faith in public, he feels compelled to be honest and transparent on the show.
  • “My faith tells me to speak on it… what I know, between my relationship personally, is I just do what he tells me and he points me in the right direction.” ([89:09])
  • "I’ve always had a hesitancy to speak about my faith." ([114:29])

6. Sobriety and Personal Growth

• Turning Point: Suffered a drug-induced stroke on stage, leading to a personal reckoning and a decade of sobriety, with major credit to his wife for her unwavering support.
  • “I had to apologize. Had to apologize to myself. I had to look in the mirror and accept who I became...” ([34:42])
  • “My wife did... I can't give her enough [credit], I can't not try.” ([111:18])

7. Societal Solutions and Legal Reform

• Panel's Consensus: Vigorous debate about whether only stronger laws, public shame, and ultimately the death penalty for convicted predators will stem the epidemic. Vigilantism is rejected—action must be legal and societal.
  • “We as people [need to] come together with our lawmakers… This is the punishment. You're done.” ([70:43])
• Cultural Commentary: Criticizes modern political and legal reluctance to take a hard stand, the rebranding of “pedophiles” as “minor-attracted persons,” and the dangerous normalizing of criminal behavior.
  • “They somehow have managed to get their way… piggybacking in the door before the bouncer can close it.” ([80:29])

8. Community, Live Shows & Fan Interaction

• Down-to-Earth Touring: They travel and operate as a small team—no crew, just the band and Waylon’s wife; Waylon drives the RV, listens to Harry Potter audiobooks to stay awake, and interacts with fans personally at every show ([42:28], [42:52], [121:22]).
• Fan Stories: Shared stories of fans using his merch as a statement in confronting their attackers; insists on his shows and message being a safe place for survivors.
  • “[A woman] said, I want to give this to my attacker… ‘save a kid, kill a pedophile’” ([38:39])

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Artistic Mission and Stage Persona

• “There's the character that I play on stage, and then there's me, this dad… right here, he is, he wanted to show up.” – Waylon Revis [18:46]
• “When I put these glasses on, nobody knows it's me. It's the Clark Kent thing, man.” – Waylon Revis [19:39]

On the Industry & Streaming

• "You get $4,000 for a million streams. A million records sold was $10 million..." – Waylon Revis [13:06]
• “Being famous sucks… worst thing in the world.” – Waylon Revis [25:08]

On His Message and the Victim Trilogy

• "Save a kid, kill a pedophile. That’s what we're about… the whole thing is a story." – Waylon Revis [23:28]
• “Worked with children from a state ward… they’d come out of trafficking and into our facility… and it changed me forever.” – Waylon Revis [23:28]

Crime and Justice

• "Dead pedos don’t reoffend. Put it on a shirt, bro." – Waylon Revis & panel [48:46]
• "It is the most heinous crime you can commit against any person, any victim… there is no cure." – Mike (Law Enforcement Officer) [51:09]
• “There’s a club and I’m not invited.” (quoting George Carlin) – Waylon Revis [36:35]

On Sobriety and Redemption

• “Had a stroke on stage… I was sped up like beyond belief… and I had a moment… it was a come to Jesus, a stern intervention from the universe.” – Waylon Revis [32:39]
• "I had to apologize. Had to apologize to myself. I had to look in the mirror and accept who I became." – Waylon Revis [34:42]

On Faith, Family, and Purpose

• “My faith tells me to speak on it. My faith… this is between me and you. We'll discuss this when you get home.” – Waylon Revis [89:09]
• "Everything I have is because of him. And I won't deny that." – Waylon Revis [116:25]
• “I just want my wife to be taken care of. I want my family to be taken care of… that's it.” – Waylon Revis [119:34]

Powerful Fan Interaction

• “This young lady came up… ‘I want to give this [shirt] to my attacker, I want to wear this when I confront him.’” – Waylon Revis [38:39]
• “You are not going to have nightmares to your 13 about this mask… I have never seen a bigger smile on that child’s face… ‘You’re the boogeyman’s boogeyman.’” – Waylon Revis [63:45]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |--------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Opening/Show Purpose/Intros | 01:15 - 04:40 | | Waylon’s Early Life / Music Beginnings | 08:09 - 18:30 | | On Stage Persona & Artistry | 18:46 - 22:33 | | Formation & Purpose of A Killer’s Confession| 23:08 - 27:99 | | On Abuse, Advocacy & The Victim Trilogy | 23:08 - 28:55 | | Industry Economics & Challenges | 11:20 - 13:40 | | The Reality and Recidivism of Predators | 47:58 - 64:00 | | Sobriety, Family, and Self-Love | 32:39 - 35:26 | | Approach to Justice: Law, Reform, Society | 70:43 - 80:29 | | Touring, Small Biz Realities | 42:28 - 43:40, 121:22 | | Faith in Action & Life Purpose | 89:09 - 92:51, 114:29 - 117:05 | | Closing Messages / Thank Yous | 120:47 - End |

Tone and Language

• Camaraderie: Direct, humorous, grounded in lived experience as veterans/first responders.
• Righteous Outrage: Emphasized on issues of child exploitation, systemic injustice, and cultural silence.
• Vulnerability & Empathy: Especially from Waylon regarding sobriety, nightmares, family, and faith.
• Hope and Purpose: Despite darkness, a consistent message of redemption, community, and a better future for survivors.

In Summary

This episode is a raw, sincere expose of Waylon Revis’s journey from bluegrass country to masked metal, and from personal battles with addiction to public crusades against child abuse. It’s a testament to how art, faith, and purpose can intersect for powerful social good, even in an unforgiving industry. The Antihero Broadcast and its guest make no apologies: protecting children is non-negotiable, and sometimes, the battle for the soul of a society must start with music, honesty, and the courage to stand apart from the crowd.

For more:

• Waylon’s band/site: A Killer’s Confession Merch & Tour Info
• Next tour stops: Wilmington, Gastonia, Atlanta, various Florida cities, Houston, Dallas, etc. (see [120:06])
• "Don’t judge a book by its cover. This message isn't dark, it's just reality." – Waylon Revis [120:55]