Korn guitarist finds God, leaves band

gldstwmn · #1 02-23-2005, 12:37 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Musi...eut/index.html

NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch has parted ways with the hard rock act, citing a recent religious awakening.

Welch broke the news Sunday on Bakersfield, California, station KRAB-FM.

"I had it in my heart to come here and explain to you," Welch said. "I'm good friends with Korn. I love those guys, and they love me, and they're very happy for me."

Addressing the aggressive tone of the music he made with Korn, Welch said, "Anger is a good thing, and if kids want to listen to Korn, good, but there's happiness after the anger. I'm going to show it through my actions how much I love my fans."

Welch added that he would be appearing at a local church on February 27, during which time he would "speak (about) how I got to this place in my life, and I'll answer all your questions."

On its official Web site (http://www.korn.com), Korn's remaining members said they respect Welch's wishes and hope "he finds the happiness he is searching for." The group is in the studio working on a new album, due in September, which will be its first since fulfilling its contract with Epic last year.

For now, no replacement for Welch has been named, nor has a new label home for the band.

dissention · #2 02-23-2005, 12:41 PM

Oy vey.

That's hilarious.

wondergirl9847 · #3 02-23-2005, 12:50 PM

I heard that on the radio this morning. That's way cool.

I saw Korn on Monk a couple of weeks ago.

estranged4life · #4 02-23-2005, 02:07 PM

read this a yesterday, And laughed at the Bakersfield CA newspaper headline that was posted for this story:

"Guitarist leaves Korn, Jesus gets Head"

Man, that is the most funny newspaper heading ever to cross my eyesight.

Plus Blink 182 bit the dust yesterday (Sorry dorks, But "long term hiatus" means yer excuse of a band has brokeup) , So all-in-all a good day for those of us who love REAL metal.

estranged4life · #5 02-23-2005, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

Was Blink 182 ever considered as existing under the label 'metal'?

just stating those of us who like metal love the fact that yet another band Empty-Vee asskissed/fondled weakly flavor has gone the way of the dinosaur...Buy bye Blink 182, You wont be missed

If I want to listen to REAL punk music I will pull out the Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, the Ramones, the Circle Jerks, Sex Pistols, etc...Not some **** ala Blink 182

DrummerDeanna · #6 02-23-2005, 02:41 PM

Hmm...wonder where he found God...under the bed? Behing the couch? Perhaps hiding in the refrigerator?

Well - to each their own and good for him - whatever turns your fun crank.

estranged4life · #7 02-23-2005, 02:49 PM

explaining Welch's reason for leaving Korn:

Korn Gives Head To Jesus

Danielle C. Belton of The Bakersfield Californian has issued the following report:

Brian "Head" Welch, founding guitarist of the Bakersfield-based metal act KORN for 13 years, is leaving the platinum-selling group for God.

"KORN has parted ways with guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, who has chosen Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end," reads a statement posted Tuesday on the band's Web site.

Welch told The Californian Tuesday that his decision to leave KORN, a band that has sold millions of records, may be seen as surprising to many.

"My old friend called today and said he was called up by another friend of mine who said, 'Who brainwashed Brian?'" the rocker laughed. "Man, you guys don't even know.

"A lot of people think I'm crazy. I don't care."

Welch said he quit the band the first week of January, although he didn't go public with the decision until a radio interview Sunday.

A representative from The Firm, the band's managing agency, said remaining band members were not available for comment.

In the band's statement, Welch's former bandmates say, "KORN respects Brian's wishes and hopes he finds the happiness he's searching for." The band is currently working on its eighth album, which is set for a September release, according to the statement.

Welch said he will go into more detail about his reasons for leaving the band during Valley Bible Fellowship's three Sunday services this weekend.

"He just wanted to share a little bit about what's going on in his life and we said OK," said Josh Vietti, office administrator for Valley Bible Fellowship on East Brundage Lane.

Vietti said Welch, who owns a home in Rosedale, had started attending the church recently.

Welch had been with KORN since 1992 when it was Bakersfield metal act LAPD, featuring Welch, guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer, bassist Reggie "Fieldy" Arvizu and drummer David Silveria. A year later, lead singer Jonathan Davis joined the band, which took the name KORN.

The band went on to sell more than 2 million copies of its 1994 self-titled debut.

Welch said he became more and more disenchanted with the image he saw of himself in KORN's music and videos, versus how he actually felt about himself.

The band has a dark, morbid image and Welch noted that on KORN's Web site it says "kill, die, murder," and added, "I don't kill, die or murder anyone."

"Those guys in the band, they're not bad guys. They're just a bunch of kids getting marketed how these guys in the big corporate firms want to do," Welch said. "It makes us look like bad people, but we're really just a bunch of kids who never had a chance to grow up.

"You're shut in a (tour) bus with your best friends with as much beer as you can handle. Drug dealers come to the show. I'm growing up right now. I didn't have a chance to (before) with all the free beer I got."

And as a father of a 6-year-old daughter, Welch said he knew he needed to set a better example.

"I just grew up a little bit," he said. "I've got a daughter. I've got to think of my kid. I just want to do the right thing."

To keep him on, Welch said management offered to try to accommodate his daughter coming with him on tour, but he wasn't interested.

"What parents would want their kids to go on a rock 'n' roll tour, a heavy metal tour?"

Welch was also unhappy with the music video for the band's recent hit, a remake of funk band CAMEO's 1985 hit "Word Up", where the band members' faces are superimposed over the faces of dogs and go to a strip club.

Welch said the video was "so dumb that it's not even funny" and added it was "horrible, horrible. It's just not me."

Welch said he debated leaving the band over the past year-and-a-half and that he has upset a lot of people with his decision.

The guitarist said he further strained his relationship with management when he announced his departure on KRAB radio in Bakersfield on Sunday.

Welch said he went on air to set the record straight after so many rumors had been floating about.

"I made some big mistakes. I apologize to them. But whatever happens happens," Welch said.

Welch added that he isn't trying to hurt the band, nor did he think his departure would.

"They're KORN," he said, pointing out how well-established the group is musically.

Downtown Records owner Jake Chavez, who went to East Bakersfield High School with Welch, said his friend called him Saturday and told him that he "quit his job."

"'Wow, that's heavy.' That's all I said," Chavez said. "I was surprised, but maybe I could see it coming with him. If I saw anyone leaving first it would be Brian. I'm surprised but I'd like to see him do what he wants to do. I'd love to see him flourish."

Drummer Kris Kohls of Bakersfield's other famous hard rock act, ADEMA, has known Welch for 15 years. Kohls said he, too, was shocked when he learned Welch was leaving KORN.

"I'm kind of curious to see who they're going to get (to replace him) or what they're going to do from here," Kohls said.

Local Christian musician Mike Llewellyn, 24, of the band JOHNNY COME LATELY, said he hoped that KORN fans would continue to support Welch.

"I think he made a personal decision based on whatever event in his life (prompted it)," Llewellyn said. "And if that reflects on his music, I hope his fans won't shut him down for that."

Lisa1769 · #8 02-23-2005, 03:33 PM

Good for him. I think it's a good thing, him wanting to be a better example for his daughter. God is good!

ontheEdgeof17 · #9 02-23-2005, 03:56 PM

A Jeremy Spencer in the making....

xdreamsunwindx · #10 02-23-2005, 04:26 PM

Heee!

Kornsch schto cool yousch guysch. :P

David · #11 02-23-2005, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estranged4life

read this a yesterday, And laughed at the Bakersfield CA newspaper headline that was posted for this story:

"Guitarist leaves Korn, Jesus gets Head"

HAHAAA!!! Was that the Bakersfield McClatchy paper?

Lemme tell ya . . . heads are gonna roll over that one.

gldstwmn · #12 02-23-2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estranged4life

read this a yesterday, And laughed at the Bakersfield CA newspaper headline that was posted for this story:

"Guitarist leaves Korn, Jesus gets Head"

Man, that is the most funny newspaper heading ever to cross my eyesight.

Oh my.

I must check out the Bakersfield papers. Someone's obviously got a great sense of humor.

gldstwmn · #13 02-23-2005, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estranged4life

just stating those of us who like metal love the fact that yet another band Empty-Vee asskissed/fondled weakly flavor has gone the way of the dinosaur...Buy bye Blink 182, You wont be missed

I worked a few Blink shows in my day. One time one of my firends offered my daughter and her friends tix to their box. The pyro was the most exciting thing about the show. I was falling asleep by the end and the kids weren't that into it either.