KoRn's cathartic alternative metal sound positioned the group among the most popular and provocative to emerge during
the post-grunge era.
KoRn began its existence as the Bakersfield, CA-based metal band LAPD, which included guitarists James "Munky"
Shaffer and Brian "Head" Welch, bassist Reginald "Fieldy Snuts" Arvizu, and drummer David Silveria. After
issuing an LP, the members of LAPD in 1993 crossed paths with Jonathan Davis, a mortuary science student moonlighting as
the lead vocalist for the local group Sexart; they soon asked Davis to join the band, and upon his arrival, the quintet
rechristened itself KoRn.
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KORN MEMBERS (L-R) |
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Ray "Dr. Octopus" Luzier (Drums)
Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu (Bass)
Jonathan Davis (Vocals)
James "Munky" Shaffer (Guitar) |
After signing to Epic's Immortal imprint, they issued their debut album in late 1994; thanks to a relentless tour
schedule that included stints opening for Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth, Marilyn Manson, and 311, the record slowly but
steadily rose the charts, eventually going gold.
Its 1996 follow-up, "Life Is Peachy," was a more immediate smash, reaching the number three spot on the pop
album charts.
The following summer, they headlined Lollapalooza, but were forced to drop off the tour when Shaffer was diagnosed with
viral meningitis.
While recording their best-selling 1998 LP "Follow the Leader," KoRn made national
headlines when a student in Zeeland, MI, was suspended for wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the group's logo; the
school's principal later declared their music "indecent, vulgar and obscene," prompting the band to issue a
cease-and-desist order.
Their annual Family Values tour also started in 1998, featuring a lineup that consisted of KoRn collaborators such as
Limp Bizkit and Ice Cube and likeminded artists such as Rammstein. The tour was an enormous success, so much so that it
continued on with KoRn overseeing the lineup for years after.
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QUICK KORN FACTS |
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Jonathan Davis spent three weeks on a tour bus coming up with an array of lyrics and melodies for
"Take a Look in the Mirror"
"Here to Stay" earned KoRn a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2003
The 2002 Pop Sux! Tour & 2006 Family Values Tour both offered $10 tickets
Orgy was the first band signed to KoRn's Elementree Records |
"Issues" followed in 1999, and in typical KoRn fashion they debuted their new single in an episode of South
Park. The band toured behind the album into the next year, but their efforts were cut short by an injury that took
out drummer David Silveria. They hired former Faith No More drummer Mike Bordin to help them finish the remaining shows,
and took a short rest before joining a summer tour with Metallica, Kid Rock, Powerman 5000, and System of a Down.
Silveria also returned amid rumors of leaving the band for a fashion career, but these were merely stemming from some
modeling work he had done before his injury. A short headlining tour followed before the band stepped off the road for a
much-deserved rest.
Fieldy released a gangsta rap album and Davis scored the film Queen of the Damned in the meantime, but the band
resurfaced as a unit toward the end of 2001 and entered the studio for their next album. A few shows with Static-X
helped iron the wrinkles out of the new material, and by the next summer they had "Untouchables" ready for
release.
KoRn did a run of Ozzfest dates in support, and the album was another smash hit.
The self-produced "Take a Look in the Mirror" arrived in 2003. Billed by the band as a reconsideration of their
sound, the album was accompanied by a tour of smaller venues called Back to Basics. More touring followed, with dates in
Japan and Asia; 2004 also included KoRn's first greatest-hits collection.
Welch left the band in 2005, evidently due to his newfound Christian faith. But KoRn continued, playing shows that
summer as a quartet and signing an expansive recording and development deal with Virgin.
"See You on the Other Side" was released the following December. It featured a batch of songs co-written with
hitmaking production team the Matrix. |
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 KoRn Discography
View all of KoRn's albums, singles and more.
 KoRn Stores
All the information on the member's restaurants and stores.
Davis: In Film
Get the lowdown of Jonathan Davis' film career, including newcomer Sin-Jin Smyth. |
KORN.SIMPOL.NET: VIDEO AND AUDIO
 "Tearjerker" live on the current "See You on the Other Side" world tour.
 MTV reports the newly announced KoRn Row in Bakersfield, CA.
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