Korn Biography
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Free Encyclopedia.”
Korn (sometimes typed KoЯn to imitate the band's
logo) is an influential nu-metal band from Bakersfield, California. They are
often credited with starting and instigating the nu metal genre and inspiring
the wave of nu metal bands in the mid 1990s and early 2000s, assisting, in
particular, the careers of Limp Bizkit and Deftones.
****
Country Bakersfield, California, USA
Years active 1993–present
Genre(s) Nu metal
Label(s) EMI/ Virgin
Members Jonathan Davis
James Shaffer
Reginald Arvizu
David Silveria
****
History
Korn originally formed as LAPD (which stood for
Love And Peace Dude, also rumored to be Laughing As People Die (which in turn
resembles the rumours that Slayer stands for 'Satan Laughs As You Eternally
Rot')), which consisted of all five members apart from singer Jonathan Davis and
guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. They later changed their name to Creep and added
guitarist Brian Welch. When Davis joined the band in 1993, they began styling
their name as 'KoЯn' (with a backwards letter "R"), releasing their debut album,
Korn, through Epic/Immortal Records in October, 1994. Korn is arguably the album
most responsible for the rise of nu metal and influencing later nu metal bands
such as Limp Bizkit.
The band followed up their debut album with their
second album, Life Is Peachy, in October, 1996. The album was just as
successful, reaching No.3 on The Billboard 200. It spawned a Grammy nomination
for Best Metal Performance in the song "No Place to Hide", which lost to Rage
Against the Machine's "Tire Me".
August, 1998, saw Korn at their peak as they
released their third album, Follow the Leader. It is generally recognized as
their breakthrough album, and the album that ultimately ushered nu metal into
the mainstream. It featured a number of guest vocalists such as Ice Cube and
Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit. The album was a success, reaching No.1 on the US and
Canadian charts and spawning the singles "Freak on a Leash" and "Got The Life".
"Freak on a Leash" won a Grammy for Best Video (Short Form). Follow the Leader
is the band's most commercially successful album, being certified 5x Platinum by
the RIAA.
The same year Follow the Leader was released, KoЯn
started their own annual heavy metal tour called the Family Values Tour. That
year they headlined the tour along with Incubus, Orgy, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube and
Rammstein. In 1999, Limp Bizkit headlined, along with Primus, Staind, KoЯn, The
Crystal Method, and Filter. The tour took a break in 2000 due to heavy
competition.
The band's next album, Issues, was released in
November, 1999. The album debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 and was certified
3x Platinum by the RIAA, following up the success of Follow the Leader. It
featured a broader range of styles and vocals compared to previous albums. Korn
appeared on an episode of South Park, titled Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery,
in which the first single from their then new album "Falling Away From Me" was
premiered. In the episode, the band helped the boys solve a Scooby-Doo style
mystery.
In 2001, Stone Temple Pilots, Linkin Park, Staind,
Static-X, and Deadsy headlined the Family Values Tour. This was the last Family
Values Tour held.
In June, 2002, after 2 and a half years out of the
media spotlight, Korn re-emerged with their 5th album, Untouchables. In
comparison with their previous albums, Untouchables had disappointing sales. The
band have blamed Internet piracy for the drop in sales but others have blamed
the decline in songwriting and production quality. The single "Here to Stay"
earned a Grammy for Best Metal Performance. Untouchables has since been
certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Korn's sixth album, Take a Look in the Mirror was
released in November, 2003. It was successful and many fans felt the album was a
return to the band's earlier sound. It had a warmer response and also had
improved sales compared to their previous album. The album peaked at No. 9 on
The Billboard 200.
As of 2004, the group have remained successful;
that year Korn released their greatest hits album, Greatest Hits, Volume 1, with
two cover versions as singles. The first single is a cover of Cameo's 1980s hit,
"Word Up". The other is a cover of the three parts of Pink Floyd's "Another
Brick in the Wall". The band has completed their record deal with Sony Records
and has since partnered with EMI and signed to Virgin Records. EMI has paid Korn
$25 million upfront in exchange for a share in the profits of their next two
LPs, including tours and merchandising.
On February 22, 2005, Brian Welch announced that he
had "...chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his
musical pursuits to that end", and was formally leaving Korn. Initial
speculations that this was a hoax or practical joke were proven wrong; he has
turned highly spiritual, even being baptized in the Jordan River and speaking
openly about his faith and conversion, especially on his website. Welch has also
stated that his reason for leaving the band has to do with his daughter reciting
obscene Korn lyrics. Welch has also stated that he was fighting an addiction to
crystal meth. This was to be the band's first, and so far only, line up change
in their history.
As of August, 2005, the band has finished recording
a new album, titled See You On The Other Side. According to Jonathan Davis's
blog], 23 tracks have already been recorded and 13 tracks mixed. The band worked
with pop producers such as Dallas Austin and The Matrix. Davis quoted "It's our
most experimental album to date." In a recent addition to his blog, Davis
confirms the release date: December 6, 2005. Jonathan Davis stated in a Swedish
interview conducted September 16, 2005 that See You On The Other Side will
contain 14 tracks. In addition, there will be a "special edition" of the album
with 17 original songs (out of a total of 20 laid down during the recording
sessions for the new CD), plus video material. The first single of KoRn's 2005
album is titled "Twisted Transistor". The song premiered on 102.1 The Edge on
September 12, 2005. The video was shot after their European Summer Tour. The
video for "Twisted Transistor" features Lil' Jon, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and David
Banner playing the roles of Korn in an attempt to get channels such as MTV to
play their music videos. The four playing Korn are among the top-selling rap
artists in the world. "Twisted Transistor" was also the official theme song for
WWE's Taboo Tuesday pay-per-view event in November 2005
The band hired Rob Patterson (ex-Otep) to play
guitar for the European dates. "We hired Rob Patterson to play guitar for the
European dates but he will not be on stage. We don't want to use samples or
tape, 'cause that would suck. We are not ready to have a new guy on stage with
us. This is for the first Europe run only. We have some new exciting ideas on
how we are gonna play live in the future and I am sure it will blow your mind."
Style
and influences
Davis' distinctive singing — often a series of
grunts, whines and bizarre scats (somewhat reminiscent of those used by Mike
Patton) — and his lyrics, are inspired in part by his alleged child abuse by an
unnamed party. Although the alleged abuser has never been explicitly identified,
it is speculated, based upon statements by Davis in various interviews, that it
was a family friend or neighbor. Davis has also stated that much of his
inspiration is drawn from both his parents' denial of his abuse, and his time
spent as an assistant in a morgue. For example, songs such as "Daddy" from
1994's KoRn illustrate his resentment towards his parents. Also, "Dead Bodies
Everywhere" from 1998's Follow The Leader discusses both his issues with his
parents and some of the atrocities Davis reported seeing during his time in the
morgue.
The group's music is a blend of pounding, tribal
drums and loud, distorted seven-string guitars (an instrument the band was a
pioneer in making popular among heavy metal musicians), and has gained the band
popularity throughout the years. The band is also notable for their
collaborations with hip hop artists such as Ice Cube and Nas, as well as for
re-introducing the bagpipe into mainstream rock music, little heard since the
days of AC/DC's late frontman Bon Scott. The band's simple song structure may be
due to the band's pop sensibility. Davis grew up as an avid fan of the new
romantic and new wave scene, where the pop song formula is used quite often.
The common definition of Korn as a Nu Metal band is
not shared by everyone. Many believe they have moved away from the genre over
the years. The band members themselves do not even think of Korn as Nu Metal, or
any other genre for that matter. They generally oppose labeling bands as a
genre.
Korn has cited bands such as Mr. Bungle, Faith No
More, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry, N.W.A., Metallica, and Duran Duran as key
influences. These influences help create a catchy yet aggressive sound that is
highly unique.
Members
Jonathan Houseman "HIV" Davis - vocals, bagpipes
Reginald Quincy "Fieldy" Arvizu - bass
David Randall Silveria - drums, percussion
James Christian "Munky" Shaffer - guitar, backing
vocals
Rob Patterson - touring guitarist but not an
official member. Korn stated they do not intend to recruit any new members.
Previous members
Brian "Head" Welch - guitar, backing vocals
(1993-2005)
Discography
Albums
Korn, October 11, 1994 #72 US 2xPlatinum
Life Is Peachy, October 18, 1996 #3 US 2xPlatinum ,
#32 UK
Follow the Leader, August 18, 1998 #1 US,
5xPlatinum, #5 UK
Issues, October 26, 1999 #1 US, 3xPlatinum, #37 UK
Untouchables, June 11, 2002 #2 US, 434,000 units
sold in 1st week, Platinum, #4 UK
Take a Look in the Mirror, November 25, 2003 #9
US*, Platinum, #53 UK
Greatest Hits, Volume 1, October 5, 2004 #4 US,
Platinum, #22 UK
See You On the Other Side, December 6, 2005, #3 US
(US Sales: 226,060), #71 UK
*It is worth noting that Take a Look in the Mirror
debuted at #19 and eventually peaked at #9 because it was released a week
earlier than originally planned, due to its content being leaked onto the
Internet. The album would have most likely had higher debut and peak positions
if released on schedule.
DVDs
Korn Live
Deuce
* * * *
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URL of Original Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korn
Date Article Copied:
December 19, 2005
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