KoRn.Simpol.Net and KoRnZone.pl grab a few words with music composer Richard Gibbs regarding KoRn's recent MTV Unplugged show.

In the interview, Gibbs disusses the intruments used in the show, which songs he likes and dislikes, censorship, and KoRn's appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.

From previous interviews we know how you got involved with MTV Unplugged. What did you think about this idea from the beginning?
"I thought it was a good idea - I'm always one to advocate change. I love that some people are pissed off that KoRn did this. That proves they are doing something right. When Dylan went electric his fans were scandalized, right?"

Were you surprised when Jonathan asked you to help them in creating this show?
"No - actually I would have been bothered if he hadn't! I've become the "go-to" guy for KoRn when they want to try something new, especially if it involves other musicians. I served in this capacity for the Issues premiere concert at the Apollo, and when they wanted to expand the band for the live show to support 'See You on the Other Side'."

Did you think then it was possible to transfer KoRn songs into unplugged versions?
"I had no doubt - I've spent my career creating the musically impossible. This was a walk in the park, relatively speaking. Many of their songs have very strong melodies and underlying countermelodies.

"At one point we were going to do a Metallica song, but that seemed much more problematic to me as their music is much more riff-driven than KoRn's."

Read the entire Richard Gibbs interview

Were you the only one who did all the arrangements and orchestration, or did the band incorporate some of their ideas?
"All of the arrangements and orchestrations for the added musicians [celli, basses, cimbassos, bass trombones, saw, armonica, taiko] were done by yours truly. Some of the band only concepts were arrived at by the band - specifically the flamenco spin on 'Blind' comes to mind. That was more the guys than me. I'll take credit -- or blame, as it were -- for the piano voicings for the intro and verse of 'Freak on a Leash'. We all hashed through everything together."

I hate the censorship - I am definitely one for freedom of speech and expression. Some of the words pulled out seem so completely random. Richard Gibbs

KoRn said you were practicing for about a month 12 hours a day, that's a really hard work, do you think the results are worth all these efforts?
"First, I love those guys to pieces, but they exaggerate. I'm sure it felt like twelve hours a day for a month to them, but it was not that extreme.

"They were clearly not used to rehearsing that hard and long. I chided Jon a few times when his energy started to flag - I told him Boingo used to do eight hour rehearsals as a norm and to quit complaining. He would just laugh and say, 'But this is KoRn!'

"To answer your question though, I would have to say yes. Listen to the AOL Music Sessions they did with very little forethought or rehearsal, then listen to Unplugged. Fairly dramatic what a little elbow grease can accomplish, yes?"

Who did choose the final set list and which of the tracks turned out to be the best, in your opinion?
"Jonathan and I got together at my house first and talked through the concept. I pitched to him that their more melodic songs would play best acoustically, and he agreed. We selected a long songlist based on melody and popularity with their fans.

"In rehearsal with the band we all winnowed down the list to what was recorded. 'Throw Me Away' is my personal favorite."

Richard invites you all to visit his official website and forum to ask him any questions at RichardGibbsMusic.com.

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A rip of KoRn's appearance on KROQ's Loveline show is now available for download, courtesy of the show's official website.

Frontman Jonathan Davis was the only KoRn member to appear on the show where he discussed the band's latest release, MTV Unplugged, as well as taking phone calls.

Besides taking calls from listeners in need of help with personal issues, Jonathan also answered questions live on air from fans.

"We got the backup band because we wanted to do something different," Davis says regarding live shows. "At that point Head had left the band and we had a backup guitar player and we wanted to add some more elements to the show.

Jonathan Davis on Loveline

"We wanted to change it up, make it different for the fans that had seen us for all these years. It just made the sound a lot thicker and it was a lot better on stage."

Davis was also asked by a fan who he would like to collaborate with either dead or alive.

"I always wanted to jam with Led Zeppelin," Davis replies. "That was my thing; to do something with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. That would be awesome because that's one of my favorite bands. I've done everything else I like."

Additionally, another interview with Jonathan Davis conducted earlier in the month by Doug Podell of Detroit's WRIF 101.1 FM is now available online and can be listened to by clicking here.

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Watch footage

Behind-the-scenes footage of KoRn performing live in a fans backyard has been released.

Taken from the "Chopped, Screwed, Live & Unglued" bonus DVD, the footage shows KoRn playing an exlcusive intimate acoustic performance and answering questions.

Stewart Lindbeck, 28, of Huntington Beach, California, was the very lucky fan who won the KROQ Family Values Family Reunion competition.

"I'd switch places with Munk because I love playing guitar, and I'd switch places with David too," vocalist Jonathan Davis says when being interviewed. "I love playing drums. I think we'd all just like to be in each others shoes, try everything."

"I'd like to be in the crowd and see us play," guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer says.

Thanks to DeadBodies.info for the information.

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Hollywood movie star Lindsay Lohan is allegedly dating KoRn's former touring guitarist.

Lohan, who is infamous for leaving the house without wearing underwear, was snapped by the paparazzi with Rob Patterson leaving LAX in Los Angeles, California.

The press bombarded her with questions regarding Patterson, asking if she was in love with him, with her promptly replying "No!".

Rob Patterson, who joined KoRn in 2005 to help with touring, was recently replaced by Dark New Day guitarist Clint Lowery.

KoRn's James "Munky" Shaffer said Patterson was replaced as there "were some things I was just unhappy with," although according to HardDrive Radio, Patterson is out of the band due to "exploitive" actions of his own.

For more exclusive pictures of the pair, visit X17 Online now by clicking here.

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Dark New Day guitarist Clint Lowery, who has replaced Rob Patterson as KoRn's touring backup guitarist, has spoke out at his involvement with the band.

Posting a new message on his official MySpace® webpage today, Lowery (right) said being involved with KoRn is a "huge honour" and that he's been a big KoRn fan for a long time.

"As some of you know I appeared with KoRn on the Jay Leno show. I got a call from Munky back in January asking if I would be interested in touring with them [KoRn] this year.

"First off, I've been a huge fan of his and the rest of those guys for along time and to be asked to be involved with them in any capacity is a huge honour. I will be touring with them this year but the new Dark New Day record will be completed before I leave out with the KoRn camp.

To be asked to be involved with them in any capacity is a huge honour. I look forward to trying my best to add to what already is an amazing show. Clint Lowery

"My band has been very supportive about this and I love them for that. Dark New Day will be recording over the next few months and it's going to be a great record.

"I am very excited about sharing the stage with KoRn. Their live show is crazy and I look forward to trying my best to add to what already is an amazing show.

"So to all you musicians that come from nothing always remember that it doesn't matter where you're from, anything's possible cause I'm from the middle of nowhere and I thank God everyday for the chance to play along side of some great musicians [Dark New Day, Sevendust, KoRn].

"Please know that Dark New Day's still on track and please come support the KoRn shows I'm thankful to play. I love all ya'll, that's right ya'll. Look forward to seeing all of you soon."

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