Korn - Music

Jonathan Davis, the lead singer for Korn, created more than just a rock band with occasional rap lyrics that ended up being labeled nu metal. With Korn, their debut album (released in 1994), Davis unleashed a completely new animal on a music scene that really needed it.

During the 90’s other musicians would photocopy the game plan to develop their own band, but no one could match Korn in their ferocity, ingenuity or energy. They really made their mark with Life is Peachy in 1996, and Follow the Leader ended up number one on the Billboard 200 in August of 1998.

Innovative drumbeats, funky bass lines and powerful guitar hooks plus excoriating rap lyrics (and even bagpipes) combined to form an addictive combination, and more than a decade later the band still rocks stadiums. With The Path of Totality, released in December of 2011, Korn promises to bump their game up even higher.

Ray Luzier, a legendary drummer in his own right, joined Korn in April of 2009. “They’ve paved the way. That’s why I’m such a fan. From the day I heard that opening riff from “Blind” on the radio I knew they were going to mess the whole scene up.”

Through the decades, Korn has always tweaked and fine-tuned their sound, so that every LP is a new incarnation. What is on The Path of Totality that hasn’t been on previous albums?

“Jonathan has been bringing dubstep artists to us for a year and a half now. He would just blow us away with what was coming out of his speakers. It was this bombastic sound you couldn’t ever reproduce with a guitar.”
Once Korn worked the tool into their technique, completely new musical vistas opened up to them. “We were just amazed. I remember thinking, how are we going to write words to this?” Luzier says.

On Saturday, March 3rd Korn will be performing at the annual Cypress Hill SmokeOut in San Bernardino. Also featuring the talents of Wiz Halifax and Daedelus, this year’s Smoke Out will certainly be the high point to anyone’s weekend. How is the band looking forward to it?

“I’m surprised we’re playing there,” Luzier says. Then he laughs. “No one in the band smokes out, anymore. I’m really interested in seeing the new Sublime, with their new lead singer Rome. I’m also looking forward to seeing Cypress Hill.” For Luzier, it’s a reunion. “I used to be really into them in school, and early in my career I even worked with them a lot.”

A lot of time has passed since Korn’s 93’ debut album and this year’s LP, The Path of Totality. When I ask if Luzier has any advice for any other musician that thinks they can stay as relevant as Korn has for two decades, he’s quick with a response.

“Go to law school.” He laughs. “It’s still a crap shoot. There are still people out there rolling the dice on a sound they have faith and confidence in.” The veteran drummer points out that, “You never know what’s going to appeal to the masses. It might not matter that a musician has talent. I have friends working at Starbucks who are virtuosos. They could beat anyone on American Idol.”

Maybe is that you’ve got to want to be a musician for something more than the money. “We’re 40 now, but we still truly love it,” Luzier says. “It’s too deep in all of us to stop. The fans still love it.” My final advice is, don’t fake an ounce of it. If you fake it deep inside, you are only playing yourself.”