The Metal Report

Korn to Tour with Original Lineup?

According to The Pulse of Radio, rumors have surfaced that the original lineup of KORN be reuniting in the not-too-distant future. No other information was offered as to when this could happen or whether the original five members would record a new album or hit the road. KORN's lineup was stable for the first 12 years and six albums of the band's existence, until guitarist Brian "Head" Welch left the group in early 2005 to devote his life to Christianity. Drummer David Silveria followed in late 2006, taking a "temporary hiatus" to spend time with his family and oversee his restaurant business. Singer Jonathan Davis, guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu have carried on with a revolving cast of touring and studio musicians in the interim, vowing not to find permanent replacements.

KORN's eighth studio album, which was untitled, came out last summer.

The band has trips to South America, Australia and New Zealand planned for April, after which Davis will embark on a solo European tour in May and June.

Shaffer recently started a new project called FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, with a self-titled debut album due to arrive on August 8 through his own Emotional Syphon label. The CD also features guest appearances by past and present members of FAITH NO MORE, LIMP BIZKIT and BAD RELIGION.

Arvizu also has a solo project reportedly in the works, while Welch published a memoir last year titled "Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story".

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

Munky of KORN Has A New Project

JAMES “MUNKY” SHAFFER ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT – FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM…NEW ALBUM DUE AUGUST 8!!!

KoRn guitarist James ‘Munky’ Shaffer announces plans to release a new
project entitled FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM due out August 8, 2008. The record will be released on his own label, EMOTIONAL SYPHON RECORDINGS.

The band features James Christian Shaffer (“Munky”) on guitars and vocals; Billy Gould (Faith No More), bass; Wes Borland (Black Light Burns), guitars; Brooks Wackerman (Bad Religion, Tenacious D), drums and percussion; Leopold Ross (IO Echo), programming and guitars; Zach Baird (KorRn), keyboards and programming. The album will be produced by Shaffer, Ross, and Jim Monti, with additional production by Tim Harkins and Danny Lohner (NIN, Black Light Burns)

Famed producer Ross Robinson (Slipknot, KoRn) comments: “What can I do to ever come close to feeling James’s level of pure ruthless courage through a guitar? Since I’ve worked with him, I've tried to inspire, convince, beg,bleed, cry, prod and nearly die, hoping to hit that bar with others.  I'm grateful to know what ‘it’ is, and where it always exists—in my brother, James. His solo band? Yes, please!”

The songs are being recorded at Music Grinder Studios in Hollywood, CA, with Jim Monti handling the mixing duties. Fear and The Nervous System is an exciting project that opens up the boundaries of rock, harkening back to the days when music was fearless. You can check out more on FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM by visiting http://www.myspace.com/fearandthenervoussystem!!!

KORN Bassist Says RAY LUZIER Is 'My Favorite Drummer I've Ever Played With'

Clément of the French magazine RecMag conducted an interview with KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu on February 24, 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland. Fieldy talks about former KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's recently published book, the French festival Hellfest and his personal projects. Also included is new performance footage with KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer, who rejoined the band's European this past weekend after taking a break of several weeks.

Watch the five-minute clip at this location.

Shaffer left the group's European tour last month for "personal and family reasons." In a January 2008 MySpace bulletin, Munky stated about his decision to take a break, "If you want to better understand my departure, then listen to the words in the song 'Watching the Wheels' by John Lennon." Singer Jonathan Davis said, "We fully support Munky's need to be home right now and because we want to come through for all of our European fans, the tour will go on. It's what Munky wants us to do, too. We promise to give it our all every night!"

KORN's current touring lineup includes guitarist Shane Gibson and ARMY OF ANYONE drummer Ray Luzier, in addition to original members Davis and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu.

Thanks: www.BLABBERMOUTH.net

KORN Guitarist To Rejoin Tour After Dealing With Family Issues

Korn star James 'Munky' Shaffer is set to rejoin the rockers on tour in Italy after "personal and family reasons" forced him to head home to America last month. The guitarist has announced he'll be back on stage with Korn for the band's Milan show on Saturday.

Shaffer has yet to fully explain his reasons for quitting the tour, but in a posting on his MySpace.com website last month, the rocker cryptically wrote: "If you want to better understand my departure, then listen to the words in the song Watching The Wheels by John Lennon."

Korn frontman Jonathan Davis greeted his guitarist's departure by stating, "We fully support Munky's need to be home right now."

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

KORN To Tour With BIOHAZARD In Australia

According to LiveGuide, KORN has tapped BIOHAZARD (original lineup's 20th-anniversary reunion), CHIMAIRA and BLOODSIMPLE to provide support on KORN's upcoming Australian and New Zealand dates:

April 15 - Perth, AUS - Robinson Pavilion
April 17 - Adelaide, AUS - Entertainment Centre
April 18 - Melbourne, AUS - Vodafone Arena
April 20 - Sydney, AUS - Entertainment Centre
April 22 - Brisbane, AUS - Riverstage
April 24 - Auckland, NZ - Vector Arena

KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer left the band's European tour last month for "personal and family reasons," according to a statement posted by the band at its official web site. Singer Jonathan Davis said, "We fully support Munky's need to be home right now and because we want to come through for all of our European fans, the tour will go on. It's what Munky wants us to do, too. We promise to give it our all every night!"

In a MySpace bulletin, Munky stated about his decision to leave the tour, "If you want to better understand my departure, then listen to the words in the song 'Watching the Wheels' by John Lennon."

Although his departure is not seen as permanent, Shaffer is the third original member of KORN to exit in the last three years. Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch left in early 2005, while drummer David Silveria went on "temporary hiatus" in late 2006 and has yet to return.

KORN's current touring lineup includes guitarists Shane Gibson and Rob Patterson, and ex-ARMY OF ANYONE drummer Ray Luzier, in addition to remaining original members Davis and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu.

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

Munky from KORN Gives a Ten Year Old a Signed Guitar

Korn Keaton Applebaum is one lucky ten year old, not just because Munky from Korn personally gave him an autographed guitar, but also because he can shred on that guitar, or any other guitar for that matter, as good as someone twice his age. Keaton was even asked by Munky to join Korn on stage but Keaton felt he wasn't quite ready for that yet. Keaton does have his own band though, he is a student at a real life 'School of Rock' style after school program where kids of similar talent levels are put together into bands by their teacher. The bands practice for showcases at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA on Sunday afternoons. The program is called Join the Band (for more info check out www.jointheband.com). I caught up with Keaton and his band ( 8 year old Jamis on vocals, 11 year old Gabriel on rhythm guitar, and 12 year old Kendall on drums) after one of their performances at the Knitting Factory to discuss Keaton's experience meeting Munky from Korn and what its like being kids who can rock.
Go to here to see Keaton shred and watch the interview.

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

KORN Guitarist Situation Clarified

The management of Shane Gibson, one of the guitar players currently touring with KORN as members of the group's backing band, has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding the erroneous reports that Rob Patterson — former OTEP guitarist who was in the back-up band for KORN's Family Values Tour in 2006 — is replacing KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer on the band's current European trek:

"Rob Patterson is NOT replacing Munky. In fact, Shane Gibson, the backup guitarist of KORN and the lead guitarist for [KORN singer] Jonathan Davis' solo tour, was asked to take over Munky's role as the lead guitarist soon after Munky's departure. Shane saved the day by re-learning new parts of all 22 songs in ONE DAY and was ready to rock out by the next evening. Rob Patterson was brought back to fill in for Shane's backup guitarist's role since Shane is now playing the lead and Rob knows the backup guitar parts by heart by being a backup guitarist in the past. Although Shane and Rob both are playing up front on the stage since two or three shows prior to last night's show (at first, Rob was in the back with Kalen), Shane is playing Munky's guitar parts, the major riffs, heaviest and loudest parts of all songs. Shane is on the right side on the stage from the audience, where Munky usually stands. When Munky is able to come back, it's expected that Rob goes back and Shane returns to his backup guitarist's position."

Shaffer left the tour for "personal and family reasons," according to a statement posted by the band at its official web site. Singer Jonathan Davis said, "We fully support Munky's need to be home right now and because we want to come through for all of our European fans, the tour will go on. It's what Munky wants us to do, too. We promise to give it our all every night!"

In a MySpace bulletin, Munky stated about his decision to leave the tour, "If you want to better understand my departure, then listen to the words in the song 'Watching the Wheels' by John Lennon."

Although his departure is not seen as permanent, Shaffer is the third original member of KORN to exit in the last three years. Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch left in early 2005, while drummer David Silveria went on "temporary hiatus" in late 2006 and has yet to return.

Shaffer posted an update online just a few days ago, saying that he had a "big surprise announcement coming very, very soon" about his future plans.

KORN's current touring lineup includes guitarist Shane Gibson and ex-ARMY OF ANYONE drummer Ray Luzier, in addition to remaining original members Davis and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu.

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

Another Message from Munky About His Departure from KORN

Munky issued another Myspace bulletin about his departure early this morning:

"Another John Lennon Analogy...
Listen to the John Lennon song "Nobody Loves You".
Please post comments only....3 more songs to go.
Thank you all for your support.......James."

According to HardDrive Radio, Rob Patterson — former OTEP guitarist who was in the back-up band for KORN's Family Values Tour in 2006 — is replacing KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer on the band's current European trek.

Shaffer left the tour for "personal and family reasons," according to a statement posted by the band at its official web site. Singer Jonathan Davis said, "We fully support Munky's need to be home right now and because we want to come through for all of our European fans, the tour will go on. It's what Munky wants us to do, too. We promise to give it our all every night!"

In a MySpace bulletin, Munky stated about his decision to leave the tour, "If you want to better understand my departure, then listen to the words in the song 'Watching the Wheels' by John Lennon."

Although his departure is not seen as permanent, Shaffer is the third original member of KORN to exit in the last three years. Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch left in early 2005, while drummer David Silveria went on "temporary hiatus" in late 2006 and has yet to return.

Shaffer posted an update online just a few days ago, saying that he had a "big surprise announcement coming very, very soon" about his future plans.

KORN's current touring lineup includes guitarist Shane Gibson and ex-ARMY OF ANYONE drummer Ray Luzier, in addition to remaining original members Davis and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu.

KORN replaces Munky with former touring guitarist

Rob Patterson, former Otep guitarist who was in the back-up band for Korn's Family Values Tour in 2006, is replacing Munky on the European shows.

KORN guitarist Munky leaves in the middle of a tour

KORN lead guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer has left the band's current European tour for both personal and family reasons. The group's frontman Jonathan Davis said in a statement, "We fully support Munky's need to be home right now and because we want to come through for all of our European fans, the tour will go on. It's what Munky wants us to do, too. We promise to give it our all every night!"

Shaffer recently posted an update online about his current activities, including his Emotional Syphon Recordings label and KORN's current European tour. But Shaffer also hinted at his own future plans, writing, "Before I hit the road, I wanted to let everyone in on a little secret. I have a big surprise announcement coming very, very soon. It's something I'm extremely passionate about, and I have a feeling everyone is going to love it. Be sure to keep checking this page, because this announcement is going to be big..."

Shaffer did not provide any further details about his "surprise announcement," although there is speculation that he'll record a solo album.

Whatever Shaffer has planned, he'll have some free time to work on it. Although KORN began a European trek on Sunday night (January 13) in Dublin, Ireland, Davis told The Pulse of Radio he doesn't expect the band to schedule any further touring after it's done. "After the world tour, I think we're gonna just take four months off," he said. "We're done and we're gonna do another record, because we've been going solid 14 years and I think me, (bassist) Fieldy and Munky really want to just take that time, get together and regroup, and do an amazing record together."

KORN's current touring lineup includes guitarist Shane Gibson and ex-ARMY OF ANYONE drummer Ray Luzier, in addition to Davis and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu.
Thanks: www.BLABBERMOUTH.net